PISCATAWAY – After winning its first two games, Rutgers football will now hit the road to play its first Power Four opponent of the season.

The Scarlet Knights will head to Blacksburg, Virginia to play Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium hoping to beat the Hokies for a second straight season and earn a third straight win.

Here's a preview and scouting report of what to expect on Saturday:

Rutgers football vs. Virginia Tech

Date: Saturday, Sept. 21

Time: 3:30 p.m.

TV: ACC Network. Chris Carter will be on play-by-play alongside analyst Mark Herzlich with Coley Harvey reporting from the sidelines.

Watch Rutgers vs. Virginia Tech on Fubo (free trial)

Radio: The game will be broadcast on WFAN 660AM/101.9 FM, FOX Sports New Jersey (93.5 FM/1450 AM), SiriusXM 108/197, SXM app, Audacy app, Scarlet Knights app).

Series history: The teams have met 16 times previously and Virginia Tech holds a 12-4 all-time advantage. Rutgers won last season’s meeting 35-16 in Piscataway. The Hokies have won all six games the teams have played in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech players to watch vs. Rutgers

Kyron Drones, quarterback

Drones is a dynamic talent for the Hokies. Schiano on Monday called him an “electric” player. At 6-foot-2, 234 pounds, Drones is a big, physical, fast quarterback who can make plays with his arm or legs. So far this season he’s 51-of-80 passing (63.8 percent) for 628 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 149 yards on 43 carries with two scores. Rutgers is going to need to have a disciplined pass rush to keep Drones in check. If he escapes the pocket, he can so damage with his running ability. And with his size, he’s not an easy player to bring down.

Jaylin Lane, wide receiver

Schiano said Virginia Tech’s receiving corps could be among the top-three Rutgers will see all season, and Lane is a big reason why. The 5-foot-10, 192-pound Lane this season has 15 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown. Last season, his first with the Hokies after transferring from Middle Tennessee State, Lane caught 41 passes for 538 yards and six TDs. Lane is a consistent weapon for Drones.

Antwuan Powell-Ryland, defensive end

Powell-Ryland is a big-time threat off the edge and will be a challenge for Rutgers’ offensive line to keep in check. In three games this season he’s made 13 tackles, including 4½ sacks – four of which came last week in the Hokies’ win over Old Dominion. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one. “You’ve really got to know where he is,” Schiano said.

MORE Rutgers football bowl projections 2024: The Scarlet Knights' status entering Virginia Tech game

Rutgers football players to watch vs. Virginia Tech

Kyle Monangai, running back

Virginia Tech has given up an average of 190.3 rushing yards per game. Monangai has already rushed for 373 yards on 46 carries (8.1 yards per attempt) through two games – that includes a 208-yard performance against Akron. If the Hokies’ run defense continues to be porous, this could be another huge game for the reigning Big Ten rushing leader.

Chris Long, wide receiver

After his 2023 season was cut short because of injuries, Long has gotten off to a strong start in 2024. The Willingboro native has caught five passes for 91 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown reception last week against Akron. Virginia Tech has a solid secondary, but if Long can continue the trajectory he’s been on, it would be a boon this week for the Scarlet Knights.

Robert Longerbeam, cornerback

Longerbeam has steadily developed during his time in a Rutgers uniform, and now is the Scarlet Knights’ top cornerback following the departure of Max Melton, who’s now in the NFL. Longerbeam, a Virginia native, is going to draw a tough assignment on Saturday regardless of which receiver he’s assigned – again, the Hokies have a standout core. “They’re a talented group,” Longerbeam said Wednesday. “They’ve got some big guys that can run. They run great routes. They’re a talented group.”

Three questions facing Rutgers football vs. Virginia Tech

1. Will linebacker Tyreem Powell return?

The linebacker missed the first two games as he continued his recovery from a torn Achilles he suffered during the winter. The bye week offered Powell – and the other banged up Rutgers players – another week to get healthier. Schiano doesn’t address players’ statuses until the availability report comes out two hours prior to kickoff, so Powell’s situation right now is uncertain. It would be a huge boost for the defense to get him back on the field as the schedule starts to become more challenging.

2. Can Rutgers establish the run early?

Again, Virginia Tech’s run defense has been vulnerable. With Monangai leading the way, Rutgers should have a big advantage. The Scarlet Knights have solid options to help split the carries – though the status of Sam Brown, who was unavailable for the Akron game, is unclear. Still, true freshman Antwan Raymond stepped up last week and had 77 yards on the ground. If Rutgers can continue to run the ball like it has been, its offense will be in a good spot.

3. Can Rutgers limit Virginia Tech running back Bhayshul Tuten?

The 5-foot-11, 209-pound Tuten is a pretty imposing running back. Like Drones, he’s also not easy to bring down as a big, physical runner. Through three games so far, Tuten has rushed for 269 yards on 52 carries (5.2 yards per attempt) with four touchdowns. Last season he rushed for 863 yards in his first season with the Hokies after transferring from North Carolina A&T, where he ran for 1,363 yards in 2022.

Rutgers football vs. Virginia Tech prediction

Virginia Tech came into the season amid high expectations, but the Hokies haven’t lived up to that standard – not yet at least. Rutgers’ offense has looked good and if it can run the ball effectively and the defense can do enough to limit Drones, the Scarlet Knights will have a good chance to move to 3-0. Rutgers 27, Virginia Tech 17

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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football vs Virginia Tech prediction, preview, scouting report