Rutgers has slipped three spots in the USA Today/NWCA Coaches Top 25 over the last two weeks, but here comes its chance to move back up.
The now-No. 19 Scarlet Knights will take on two teams ranked ahead of them on the road this weekend. They will face No. 17 Northwestern on Friday in Evanston, Illinois, followed by a matchup with Illinois on Sunday in Champaign.
The Big Ten again has 11 teams in the top 25, led by No. 1 Penn State and No. 2 Ohio State. Those schools will face off Saturday night in State College, Pennsylvania in the most-anticipated dual meet of the college season.