Rutgers vs. Syracuse should be the nastiest rivalry in the East. The two programs recruit too many of the same players, and share a similar message — New York, the Big East’s automatic BCS berth, academics.
For years, the Orange presented a formidable recruiting barrier for Rutgers, especially on talent-rich Long Island. Penn State got the cream of the crop and then Syracuse and Rutgers would battle.
When Syracuse embarrassed the classy Paul Pasqualoni by firing him in a public spectacle, and then compounded the error by bringing in outsider Greg Robinson, Rutgers had the opening it needed.
Ray Rice and Courtney Greene, two highly-touted recruits from Westchester, ditched the Orange in favor of the Scarlet Knights. Suddenly, Rutgers had the foothold in the metropolitan area that coach Greg Schiano envisioned in his State of Rutgers map.
Orange athletic director Dr. Daryl Gross atoned for those blunders by bringing in Doug Marrone, a former Syracuse captain from The Bronx who has made recruiting the Empire State a priority. Schiano and his staff certainly have no plans of fading away.
Syracuse’s only league win last year in Marrone’s first season was over Rutgers. The teams play Saturday in Piscataway with the Orange (6-3 overall, 3-2 in the Big East) needing one more win to become bowl eligible and Rutgers (4-4, 1-2) desperately trying to keep alive a streak of five straight bowl appearances.
A rivalry should be fueled. Both teams rely on their defense. Both have shaky offensive lines. Rutgers is getting three at home in what will be a taught defensive game. Rutgers is plus-2 in turnover margin. Syracuse is even. The Scarlet Knights also have a special teams edge.
Take the Scarlet Knights, +3, and throw a little lighter fluid on that rivalry fire.
TONIGHT
Pittsburgh (-51/2) over UCONN: Gut reaction was to take the Huskies, who have a knack for pulling upsets at home. But facts are facts: UConn has the worst rushing defense in the league and Pitt has the second-best rushing offense.
SATURDAY
Cincinnati (+6) over W. VIRGINIA: The Bearcats expect to have QB Zach Collaros back. In the last four games before he was injured, Cincinnati averaged 528 yards on offense. Without him, Cincy gained just 277 in a 31-7 loss to ’Cuse. Can’t pick a Bill Stewart-coached team.
Boston College (-31/2) over DUKE: Eagles have gone back to pounding the ball on offense. Duke suffers hangover effect from 55-48 upset of Virginia.
Miami (-21/2) over GEORGIA TECH: Tech’s option has given Miami fits, but quarterback Josh Nesbitt broke his forearm vs. Virginia Tech.
Michigan (-13) over PURDUE: The Wolverines are 114th in total defense and 104th in scoring defense. So, naturally, we’re taking them. Why? Purdue has lost three straight against three of the most physical teams in the Big Ten by a total score of 127-23.
Utah (-51/2) over NOTRE DAME: Just can’t pick the emotionally and physically beat up Irish.
AUBURN (-8) over Georgia: If the Tigers win, they clinch a spot in the SEC title game. And all this piling on Auburn QB Cam Newton is making for a wounded Tiger.
OHIO STATE (-18) over Penn State: Congratulations to JoePa on his 400th win. Saturday, he gets tagged with his 133rd loss as the Buckeyes defense smothers Penn State’s offense.
FLORIDA (-61/2) over South Carolina: Steve Spurrier returning to Gainesville to win the SEC East is a great story. Too bad he has a lousy pass defense.
ALABAMA (-131/2) over Mississippi State: ’Bama coach Nick Saban is just 1-5 in games following a loss, and the Rebels have won six straight. But the last three have been by a total of 15 points. Not a fun week in Tuscaloosa.
Oregon (-191/2) over CALIFORNIA: The last time the Bears played against a spread attack they got blasted 52-31 by Nevada. And starting QB Kevin Riley has been lost for the season.
Stanford (-51/2) over ARIZONA STATE: Arizona State has won four games — two against FCS competition and two against Washington and Washington State, combined records of 2-11.
Oklahoma State (-51/2) over TEXAS: The Cowboys haven’t won in Austin since 1944. If they can’t do it this year, when the Longhorns seemingly have waved the white flag, they may never do it. Key is Kendall Hunter’s ability to run the ball on the Longhorns’ soft rush D.
ARIZONA (-41/2) over Southern Cal: Trojans haven’t been on the road in more than a month. They lost that game at Stanford, 37-35. Arizona, undefeated at home, has been waiting for its chance to beat USC in Tucson for the first time since 1999. QB Nick Foles is healthier than he has been in weeks.
LAST WEEK: 8-7
overall, 2-1 Best Bets.
lenn.robbins@nypost.com