Minnesota travels to Rutgers this week for an intriguing clash of familiar foes. Former Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is now starting for the Scarlet Knights and former offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca is calling plays.

A win would extend Minnesota’s streak to five, but they simply can’t overlook Rutgers even if they are favored on the road. Let’s take a look at our workforce forecasts.

On paper, Minnesota has advantages all over the field against Rutgers. Max Brosmer has proven to be a major upgrade at quarterback and the Gophers’ offense has been humming along during their four-game winning streak. I think Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano will give Minnesota all it can handle, but one or two big plays from the Gophers’ plethora of playmakers will make the difference.

Nothing about this game is complicated. Rutgers was defeated 133-66 during a stretch of four straight losses. What’s even more embarrassing is that the Scarlet Knights have lost to a decent Nebraska team, a wildly inconsistent Wisconsin team, a bad UCLA team and a disappointing USC team. If you’re worse than all four of those teams, you’re pretty bad. But such is life with a passing game that leaves so much to be desired, and the Gophers know all too well what life is like with Athan Kaliakmanis. The former Gophers QB is going to have a tough day against one of the best pass defenses in the country. I see a pick-6 or two for Minnesota in a blowout win.

The Gophers have an intriguing matchup ahead of them when they travel to Rutgers on Saturday and face their former quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis. Kaliakmanis is outperforming his numbers from a season ago, throwing for 1,650 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 54% of his passes. But during the U’s four-game winning streak, the defense has recorded seven interceptions. Four of Kaliakmanis’ five picks came during the Scarlet Knights’ four-game losing streak. Both trends continue as the Gophers gain the upper hand over their former quarterback and win their fifth in a row.

Looking for their fifth straight win this weekend, the Gophers are now rolling. Max Brosmer’s confidence and comfort at this level has clearly grown over the course of this season, and it helps to have players like Darius Taylor and Daniel Jackson to feed the ball. Meanwhile, Rutgers has fallen apart, losing four straight after a 4-0 start. Ex-Gopher Athan Kaliakmanis, who has just three passing touchdowns and four interceptions in the past six games, could have a tough day against Minnesota’s stout defense. I don’t expect these two teams to break their respective streaks on Saturday.

The Gophers are on a four-game win streak. Rutgers is on a four-game losing streak. This is a typical Minnesota sports loss, especially when you add the “ex-QB looking for revenge” angle. Despite all that, I did it and I came to believe in this Gophers team (kiss of death). Max Brosmer lights up Rutgers and the Gophers D make Kaliakmanis’ day hell.