PISCATAWAY – Rutgers football is heading into a much-anticipated 2024 season. Expectations from the outside are high.

In some ways, very high.

Part of that stems from a slate that, on paper, benefits the Scarlet Knights, who don’t have to play Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State following the elimination of Big Ten divisions.

But let’s also be clear: The Big Ten is still tough. No win will come easily.

So how can the Scarlet Knights have a memorable season?

Here’s a look at five games that could have a large say in the direction of Rutgers' season:

At Virginia Tech, Sept. 21

This is arguably the biggest game of the season. It’s by far Rutgers’ toughest nonconference game of the season. It’s on the road in a raucous, roaring environment that’s tough for visiting teams. But it also comes following an early-season bye week as the third game of the season. If the Scarlet Knights can beat Virginia Tech, which they did at home last season before the Hokies found their way and ultimately finished the season 7-6, they would enter Big Ten play 3-0 and would host Washington on a Friday night in prime time in the following game. Virginia Tech is well-coached and it has a good quarterback in Kyron Drones. A win here for Rutgers would give the Scarlet Knights clear command of the early part of their schedule.

Especially if they can win the next one…

Vs. Washington, Sept. 27

This game is a major opportunity for Rutgers. Again, if Rutgers beats Virginia Tech, this has the chance to be an incredible atmosphere at SHI Stadium under the lights. It would almost certainly be a sold-out, loud crowd. It’s also the Scarlet Knights’ first game against one of the Big Ten newcomers. The Huskies, who lost to Michigan in the national championship game last season, have a new coach in New Jersey native Jedd Fisch while former quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was drafted eighth overall by Atlanta (they do have a solid QB now in Mississippi State transfer Will Rogers). Washington brought in other talented transfers but still has had a lot of turnover on both sides of the ball. Rutgers has a big chance here.

Vs. UCLA, Oct. 19

Another home game against a new conference team. The Bruins have a new coach in DeShaun Foster, who didn’t exactly make a great first impression at Big Ten Media Days, after Chip Kelly left to become Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. The Bruins are projected to finish in the bottom half of the Big Ten. Rutgers needs to take advantage of that and pick up a solid home victory before it heads to Los Angeles the following week to play USC.

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Vs. Illinois, Nov. 23

Illinois is coming off a 5-7 and most projections have the Illini finishing this season as a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team. Rutgers beat Illinois on the road three years ago (Gavin Wimsatt’s debut) and now will try to do the same at home. The Illini’s defense was poor last season and lost some considerable talent in the offseason. The offense should be better this season in quarterback Luke Altmyer’s second season. Still, on paper, this is a winnable game for Rutgers, a big opportunity in the second-to-last game of the season before heading to…

At Michigan State, Nov. 30

Michigan State is somewhat of an enigma after first-year coach Jonathan Smith, who takes over after Mel Tucker was fired amidst a sexual harassment scandal that sent the Spartans’ 2023 season off the rails. It’s hard to know exactly what to expect from MSU this year. The Spartans lost a lot of talent in the offseason but brought in transfer QB Aidan Chiles, who followed Smith from Oregon State. Still, this could be a season of transition for the Spartans. This game could provide Rutgers a chance to pick up a strong road victory to close out the regular season.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Rutgers football 2024 season will hinge on these games