Everything fans need to know about the Rutgers-USC matchup

LOS ANGELES — Rutgers has a long night ahead.

The Scarlet Knights (4-3, 1-3) face USC (3-4, 1-4) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday night. The contest begins at 11 pm ET and will end after midnight, a unique setup in the new era of Big Ten cross-country.

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Rutgers coach Greg Schiano and company are ready for it.

“We usually never leave a day early. We stay on Rutgers time, but when you have an 8 p.m. start in the Pacific, I don’t think it’s wise to stay on Rutgers time,” Schiano said Monday. “The times we went out early on other teams I coached, I don’t think it did us much good, but we have no choice in this matter. Well, you have a choice, but at 2:30 in the morning, hopefully, the game is on. I don’t like my decision making at 2:30, and I don’t like our players’ decision making at 2:30 either. So we’ll leave early and have some things available on Thursday. Then go play on Friday and come home right after the game.”

Here’s what Rutgers fans need to know ahead of their first meeting with the Trojans:

in the field

Rutgers-USC preview: Keys to victory, x-factor and more for matchup in Los Angeles

Rutgers-USC Picks and Predictions: Which Struggling Program Prevails?

Rutgers will play percentages vs. USC, specifically how they relate to this important concern

Off the field

Rutgers modifies schedule and routine to accommodate trip to Southern Cal

Will Rutgers make the bowl game this season? Experts no longer believe it after the loss to UCLA

Player

Q&A with Rutgers’ Jordan Thompson, who’s ready to unleash against USC

Rutgers backup OL adjusts well to new position after tough debut: ‘I knew I could be good enough’

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