PISCATAWAY - The University of Michigan is paying Jim Harbaugh $7.5 million to win the national championship.

That is the objective, nothing less. This Wolverines team has turned into Harbaugh's best since he took over his alma mater in 2015. The defense is a terror, the offense looks more competent than it has since Harbaugh showed up, Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson growing seemingly every week at quarterback.

Rutgers football: How scary good is Michigan defense? Rutgers to find out

Michigan is ranked No. 4 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, which means it will play in a CFP semifinal, likely the Cotton Bowl, if it handles business from now through the Big Ten championship game.

Handling business begins Saturday against a Rutgers team that has been flailing for the better part of two months. Maybe this seems like a foregone conclusion, but don't expect Michigan to overlook anyone. In 2016, the Wolverines were 9-0 and ranked second in the CFP rankings. They then proceeded to lose three of their final five games by a total of five points.

Rutgers football: Chris Ash doesn't think Jim Harbaugh was out of line for 78-0

Below, USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey staffers make their predictions for the Herculean task Rutgers faces at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will air on Big Ten Network.

Josh Newman, Rutgers beat reporter

I don't like predicting shutouts, mostly because crazy things happen sometimes in college football, but I'm going to make an exception in this case. Michigan looks like the second-best team in the country, Rutgers hasn't won a game since Sept. 1. Michigan 50, Rutgers 0

Rutgers football: Michigan game part of big Saturday in New Jersey

Steve Edelson, columnist

Rutgers could not be in a worse position right now, riding a eight-game losing streak as it steams toward a 1-11 season, taking on a Michigan team, with a take-no-prisoners coach like Jim Harbaugh, that needs to win impressively to remain in the College Football Playoff rankings, where the Wolverines would be in position to win a national championship. With Harbaugh having outscored the Chris Ash-coached Scarlet Knights by a 162-30 margin over the past three years, including that 78-0 debacle the last time they played in Piscataway, he's certainly not holding back now. Michigan 56, Rutgers 3

Jerry Carino, college sports writer

Let's quote Clubber Lang, with one caveat: Rutgers is no Rocky. "Prediction? Pain." Michigan 70, Rutgers 0.

Rutgers football: Postcard from Madison, where beer, bratwurst and basketball fill a day

Steve Feitl, digital strategist

You heard a blue wave was coming to New Jersey. Then you saw the results of the Garden State House districts on Tuesday and figured, "Ah, that was it." But actually, it's a blue-and-maize wave, it's coming on Saturday, and you can trust the polling on this one. Michigan 49, Rutgers 7

5 takeaways, 5 quotes from Rutgers' loss at Wisconsin

Bob Jordan, Asbury Park Press sports editor

The headline for a Michigan-Rutgers preview story published at the start of this week out of Detroit said: "Michigan football's Jim Harbaugh: Rutgers has great ... kickoff coverage.'' OK, it was a backhanded compliment from a coach who probably couldn't find much else good to say about an overmatched opponent. But Rutgers is really good in this category, giving up 14.88 yards per kick return, No. 2 in the nation behind Eastern Michigan. So when Rutgers kicks off at the start of the game, or to start the second half, watch out! Will there be other occasions after scoring when Rutgers can show off its kick coverage prowess? Doubtful. Michigan 45, Rutgers 0.

Zach Miller, editor

Rutgers' first major Big Ten win came four years ago against Michigan. That win, and the memorable blocked field goal that helped seal it, brought optimism that Rutgers could soon compete for division titles in the Big Ten. Four years later, that game is still the Scarlet Knights' only major Big Ten win. They've been outscored by the Wolverines 162-30 in three games since then, including that 78-0 loss a couple years ago. This Rutgers team might be even worse than that Rutgers team, and this Michigan team might be the best Michigan team since 2004. This will be rock bottom for the Scarlet Knights. Michigan 66, Rutgers 6

Dave Rivera, Bergen Record sports editor

Michigan is a team on a mission, and its 2018 "Revenge Tour" is in full swing. The Wolverines have so far avenged 2017 losses to Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State. But they certainly won't be needing their Revenge Tour T-shirts this week when they visit Piscataway. Michigan will roll here — maybe not 78-0 like two years ago — but it will be a lot for the Wolverines to a little for the Scarlet Knights. Maybe Rutgers can go on a season-long Revenge Tour in 2019. Michigan 48, Rutgers 6

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4 Tickets to the Rutgers vs. Penn State Game. One winner will receive four (4) tickets to the Rutgers vs. Penn State football game at High Point Stadium on Nov. 17. This offer is valued at $500. Details and enter by Monday: https://offers.app.com/ruticketcontest

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