PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Coming off its first bowl victory, this was supposed to be the year that Rutgers took the next step and went to a Bowl Championship Series event.

Everything was in place for the year after “Pandemonium in Piscataway.” Heisman hopeful halfback Ray Rice was back to lead a veteran team that would open the season with five home games, and play eight overall at Rutgers Stadium.

There would be a second chapter coming out of the Big East Conference for the feel-good story in college football.

It has happened, except it is being written by No. 2 South Florida (6-0, 1-0), a team that didn’t play its first game until 1997.

After opening 3-0, Rutgers (4-2, 1-1) was surprised by Maryland and Cincinnati in consecutive games before rebounding against woeful Syracuse. The Scarlet Knights’ chances of earning that BCS game may well depend on spoiling South Florida’s magical ride in a nationally televised game on Thursday night.

“There’s always a turning point in a season, there’s no doubt,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. “This one is as good as any, probably. You have to let things happen sometimes. Sometimes you try too hard to make things happen and then they don’t happen.”

A year ago, things went just right for Rutgers, which played in the first college football game in 1869.

Special feature Florida faces SEC upset

The Scarlet Knights edged South Florida 22-20 when the Bulls failed on a two-point conversion pass in the final seconds. Weeks later, Rutgers highlighted the season with a come-from-behind 28-25 win over then-No. 3 Louisville in a Thursday night game that led the season to be called “Pandemonium in Piscataway.”

This year, things haven’t gone the Scarlet Knights’ way. Turnovers, mistakes and an inability to come up with the big play in crunch time led to losses to the Terps and Bearcats.

While none of the players would say Rutgers faces a must-win game, they know the importance of winning.

“Every win helps. Definitely getting a Big East win helps,” said Rice, who rushed for 202 yards last year against South Florida. “But you know when you have the opportunity to play against the No. 2 team in the nation, it speaks for itself. I don’t think we should look at the ranking. We just have to go out there and play our best game.”

College football Two-man race with Tebow, McFadden

If Rutgers is going to win, Rice must have another big game against the Bulls, who have not allowed anyone to rush for 100 yards in 14 games. Rice was the last one.

Quarterback Mike Teel also has to protect the ball better. In the two losses, he threw four interceptions, including one late against Cincinnati in Bearcats’ territory.

“You have to take them one game at a time,” Teel said. “You know we are coming into this game focused and ready to play a very good football game.”

Rutgers also has to find a way to slow down South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe and defensive tackle George Selvie, who has 11½ sacks.

Grothe has not only thrown for 1,121 yards and seven touchdowns, he also leads the Bulls with 346 yards rushing.

Slideshow   The Week in Sports Pictures The Giants on top of the football world, getting ready for the London Olympics and more. more photos

Beating Rutgers would also move the Bulls a step closer to a national championship game. After the Scarlet Knights, they will play Connecticut, Cincinnati, Syracuse, Louisville and Pittsburgh.

“We’ve had talent here for the last number of years,” South Florida coach Jim Leavitt said. “Putting it all together and trying to win ballgames, you don’t really know how it’s all going to play out. We’re still trying to figure out our football team a little bit. They’re playing hard now and doing some good things, but you don’t know so you just keep going.”

Schiano also is trying to figure out his team, noting he may have tried to do some things this year based on what last year’s team was able to do in winning its first nine games.

“Maybe this coach was trying to be last year’s coach a little bit,” Schiano said. “We just have to be who we are today, and I think we’re doing a better job of that.”