By James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Rutgers will play its third Scarlet-White spring game under head coach Chris Ash on Saturday, and this one will be the closest yet to resembling an actual game.

Ash has said the Scarlet Knights will fully tackle during the modified scrimmage, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway to close out spring practice. While only so much can be learned from spring ball, Saturday will still be the first real opportunity to evaluate the 2018 Rutgers squad in a game-like situation.

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The quarterbacks will be the main focus Saturday, and they will continue to be until Ash names a starter sometime during summer training camp. But what else? Here’s a quick rundown of eight things Rutgers fans should keep an eye out for while watching Saturday’s spring game:

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QUARTERBACK PLAY:

True freshman Artur Sitkowski has been the story of the spring for Rutgers. The early enrollee from Old Bridge has turned heads ever since he got on campus and has stood out in practices and scrimmages so far. From an outsider’s perspective, he appears to have a very strong chance to be the Scarlet Knights’ starter this season. In fact, he’s the pick here to win the job. But Saturday will be his true introduction to the fan base. How will he fare?

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Sitkowski’s size and arm strength is what has made him stand out so far, but this will be his first go-round in a game setting. Will it carry over? Or will Gio Rescigno and/or Johnathan Lewis make their own plays to enter the summer with plenty of momentum in the race?

Lewis and Rescigno, the returning incumbent starter, have also had strong moment this spring. Ash has been adamant no quarterback is pulling away with the job, and the battle will go into August. But a big day from either (or both) quarterback would go a long way toward slowing down the Sitkowski hype train and making this feel like more of a position battle.

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Rutgers will have three other quarterbacks play in the spring game: True freshman Jalen Chatman, Tom Flacco and Rob Nittolo. Chatman will be intriguing to see for the first time, but all indications are he will redshirt this season and not factor into the quarterback situation.

Flacco entered the spring with some dark horse buzz, but he hasn’t been able to really get himself into the conversation further. He did get people talking, though, by shedding his non-contact jersey during Rutgers’ second spring scrimmage and taking live hits.

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RB ROTATION?

It’s early, but Saturday could reveal some clues about how Rutgers plans to use its running backs this season. The Scarlet Knights have depth in the backfield with several backs who have made a case for playing time this spring, and the situational nature of the scrimmage format could tip offensive coordinator John McNulty’s hand a bit when it comes to personnel packages. Rutgers will have specific periods for red zone, third-down and two-minute series; who is on the field at each time could be telling.

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Graduate transfer Jonathan Hilliman appears to have the inside track to be the No. 1 running back, but it’s not clear what workload will be assigned to that spot. The coaching staff has made it clear it wants to get sophomore Raheem Blackshear, arguably their most dynamic offensive player, involved more. But there is also a concern about keeping Blackshear healthy.

Isaih Pacheco and Trey Sneed have also flashed this spring and could carve out roles, and Elijah Barnwell could also be in the mix once he returns from his knee injury. The distribution of carries will be interesting Saturday.

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Keith Sargeant | NJ Advance Media

PROTECTION UP FRONT:

Rutgers knows its offensive line has to be better if its offense is going to make significant strides in 2018. All indications are the unit has been a work-in-progress this spring, and Saturday's game will be the first real test to get a good grip on where the line stands.

The Scarlet Knights have done some experimenting this spring, partly due to injuries. Tariq Cole at left tackle is really the only given at this point. Jonah Jackson and Kamaal Seymour, who is currently out after minor groin surgery, should be guaranteed starters, but their position is not set in stone. With Seymour out Saturday, Zack Heeman is expected to be the first guy up at right tackle. Jackson has been at center and left guard during camp; he was most recently at center to get Mike Lonsdorf snaps at left guard.

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Nick Krimin will be a player to watch Saturday. The St. Joseph of Metuchen product has had a strong spring and appears well on his way toward winning the right guard spot. Fans have been clamoring for top recruit Micah Clark at that position, but Krimin doesn't seem keen to let it go.

True freshman Raiqwon O'Neal will also have plenty of eyes on him. The Conway, South Carolina, native is unlikely to factor into the starting five situation, at least to start the year, but he has had a solid spring and will likely play in some capacity this fall.

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BIG PLAYS DOWNFIELD?

One of the themes of Rutgers spring practice has been the frequency in which the Scarlet Knights have taken shots downfield during the periods of practices and scrimmages open to the media. Spring games tend to be tailored toward the offense a bit in order to excite the fans and give them a good show, so don't be surprised if Rutgers swings for the fences a few times - provided the line can hold up.

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Saturday's game will also be a showcase for Rutgers' inexperienced receiving corps, which has turned in a strong spring that has generated plenty of optimism. Bo Melton has looked like he's capable of living up to the expectations that came with being a four-star recruit and Rutgers legacy, Shameen Jones has been one of the surprises of camp according to Ash and Eddie Lewis has played well after his prep year.

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CAN D-LINE GET A PASS RUSH?

Rutgers was 112th in the nation and 12th in the Big Ten with a measly 16 sacks last season, and half of those sacks are no longer on the roster. Getting after the passer will be a major focus in 2018. While the Scarlet Knights don't want to see their line crash the backfield every play Saturday - that would be a bad thing for the offense - a complete stonewalling at the line of scrimmage would not be a good thing either.

Depth is a major concern for the Scarlet Knights on the defensive line. They believe they are solid starter-wise with jack Elorm Lumor, defensive end Kevin Wilkins and tackles Jon Bateky and Julius Turner. But after that? Saturday's game could be a big chance for some reserve linemen to step up, flash and begin to work themselves into the rotation.

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Turner is a player fans should keep an eye on. He'll be a bit undersized at nose tackle this fall, but he believes his speed and quickness will allow him to overcome any size discrepancy and make plays. Having a disruptive nose tackle could go a long way for Rutgers. One thing to note: the defensive line should pretty much be on its own Saturday. Teams rarely run any exotic stunts, if any stunts, in spring games.

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Here's how Rutgers' spring game will work

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SAFETY DEPTH:

Safety is another spot where Rutgers has established starters - Saquan Hampton and K.J. Gray - and plenty of questions behind them. It sounds like the Scarlet Knights plan to rely on the still-to-arrive freshmen defensive backs to reinforce the depth at the position, but the reserves currently on campus will have their chance to state their case Saturday. Two-sport star Jawuan Harris sounds like a longshot to be back this season, so he's unlikely to factor into the safety situation.

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LINEBACKER DEPTH ON DISPLAY:

Ash raved about his linebacker depth earlier this spring - a far cry from his first two years on the job. We know Rutgers will be down one linebacker with weakside starter Trevor Morris out due to a dislocated elbow. That likely means Tyshon Fogg will get more reps Saturday, something that will excite fans.

Fogg has impressed during the spring and likely already was knocking on the door of stealing a first-team spot, but a strong showing this weekend could accelerate that process. Morris is the Big Ten's leading tackler, but he and middle linebacker Deonte Roberts may have to look in their rear view mirror from here on out. Fogg can play at both spots.

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Tyreek Maddox-Williams will be on the strong side as he continues his road back from the knee injury that cost him all of last season. Maddox-Williams was active in Saturday's scrimmage and is said to be 100 percent physically; Rutgers is just working with him to get back 100 percent mentally. Junior college transfer Malik Dixon is battling Maddox-Williams for the SAM spot.

Beyond that, it will be a chance to see some of the young linebackers - Brendan DeVera, Olakunle Fatakusi, Syhiem Simmons, etc. - and where they may stand in the pecking order.

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KICKING GAME:

Placekickers Justin Davidovicz (the favorite to be the guy) and Gavin Haggerty have kicked well this spring, but there's only so much that can be learned inside the bubble. The same goes for punter Adam Korsak. The kicking competition Saturday and the simulated situations could be telling.

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MORE RUTGERS FOOTBALL COVERAGE:

• The strange way Billy Taylor became Rutgers' long snapper last year

• Rutgers striving for balance with running back Raheem Blackshear

• Why you won't see any 'torpedoes' from punter Adam Korsak

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James Kratch | NJ Advance Media

WATCH: What to see in the spring game

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James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.