COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Rutgers and Maryland are separated by approximately 200 miles.

They both joined the Big Ten in 2014, a fact that will link them forever. They have not waged a high-profile recruiting war in recent memory, but at least in theory, being situated in the same region means they are recruiting the same kids in some cases.

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The Scarlet Knights and Terrapins have played some wild games, Rutgers overcoming a 25-point deficit for a 41-38 road win in 2014 comes to mind. So, too, does the next season when Maryland overcame a 21-point hole for a 46-41 victory in Piscataway.

You cannot manufacture a real rivalry. Such things need to be organic. It does not happen overnight, but over years, even decades. It takes some hatred, probably some respect, too. Quality games help, as does a recruiting battle or two.

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Rutgers-Maryland is not really a rivalry yet, but it has the makings of one. That matchup is much closer to a rivalry right now than Rutgers-Penn State, as much as it may pain Scarlet Knights fans to hear that. Sorry, it's the truth.

Below, USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey staffers make their predictions for Rutgers-Maryland, a noon kickoff on Saturday from Capital One Field. The game will air on Big Ten Network.

Josh Newman, Rutgers beat reporter

This one feels like a tipping point. Kansas was bad, Buffalo was bad, Illinois was bad, but this one, against a regional rival, feels like the one that will lead to everyone throwing their hands up. If this game goes exceptionally poorly, as those aforementioned ones did, it is going to feel like Doomsday. Oh, and the meat of Rutgers' Big Ten schedule is still coming. Maryland 42, Rutgers 10

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Jerry Carino, sports reporter/news columnist

Whatever problems Rutgers fans have with Chris Ash, at least he's not Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin. The stories coming out of that trash heap over the past few months paint Durkin as a despicable human being. And yet this buffoon remains employed there, collecting nearly $600,000 while on suspension. In a just world, Rutgers would win this game 100-0. In reality, you gotta tackle once in a while. Maryland 40, Rutgers 6.

Mike Davis, Asbury Park Press reporter/Rutgers alum/season ticket holder

I'm lucky enough to be the right age where I missed the Terry Shea years. So I can unequivocally say this is the worst Rutgers University football team I've ever seen. And it's becoming terribly clear that it's going to get worse — not just in this season, but going forward — before it gets better. Maryland 37, Rutgers 10.

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Steve Edelson, columnist

Time to look in the mirror. Because when Rutgers faces off against Maryland, that's what Rutgers gets to do, with the two programs coming into the Big Ten at the same time, and Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin and Rutgers head coach Chris Ash arriving in 2016. In one sense, Rutgers has to like what it sees, with relative calm in Piscataway compared to the turmoil in College Park, with Durkin on administrative leave while allegations of bullying abuse swirl around the program. But on the football field, that's not a pretty sight, with the Terrapins way more advanced than the Scarlet Knights. They have road wins at Texas and MInnesota, and only lost to Michigan by 21 points. The mirror might get shattered after this game. Maryland 50, Rutgers 14

Steve Feitl, digital strategist

The only prediction that matters for Saturday is that there's rain in the forecast for the morning. No, it won't have any discernible impact on this gridiron clash. But it is going to leave your New Jersey pumpkin patches and hayrides a little soggy. So I guess you — the embattled Rutgers fan — can give the Scarlet Knights one more shot before moving on to other weekend activities this fall. Maybe they'll surprise you. I mean, I don't think so, but yeah, maybe... Maryland 35, Rutgers 6

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Bob Jordan, Asbury Park Press sports editor

Sports betting is legal in New Jersey but there's a catch — Garden Staters remain prohibited from betting on New Jersey college teams. Send your lawmakers a thank you note. Since 2013, Rutgers is 31-37 against the spread. And you'd be tempted to take the Scarlet Knights at +21 1/2 against Maryland, wouldn't you? Though Maryland ranks last in the Big Ten and 123rd in the country with 127.6 yards passing per game, the Terps got off to a good start this season by blowing up then-No. 23 Texas in a 34-29 upset. So, yes, that alone tells us Maryland is at least three touchdowns better than Rutgers. Prediction: Maryland 42, Rutgers 10.

Zach Miller, editor

The Terrapins and Scarlet Knights entered the Big Ten together in 2014 and have played three really good games against each other since then, including last year's game that Rutgers won by a touchdown. But Maryland is healthier now, and this game won't be anywhere near as exciting as that one. When does wrestling season start? Maryland 38, Rutgers 13

Dave Rivera, Bergen Record sports editor

Let's face it, Rutgers has the next two weeks to get its final win of the season: Saturday at Maryland and Oct. 20 vs. Northwestern. After these two games, they get Wisconsin, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State. You'd like to think they can play spoiler against one of the Big Ten powerhouses, but after seeing them fall by three touchdowns to Illinois, how we can possibly pick them to win? And if they're a three-touchdown underdog to Maryland, imagine what the spreads are going to be over those final four games? Maryland 31, Rutgers 9

Staff Writer Josh Newman: jnewman@app.com; @Joshua_Newman