PISCATAWAY, N.J. - A couple of weeks ago it would have been foolish to think that the game between Rutgers and Syracuse would have bowl implications.

However, wins in recent weeks have both teams still in the bowl hunt as they prepare for Saturday's game, even if those hopes are slim.

Rutgers (3-5, 2-2 Big East) will look for its third straight win overall and its fourth consecutive win over the Orangemen (2-6, 1-3) in the game at Rutgers Stadium.

The Scarlet Knights, who had a bye last weekend, played their best game of the season two weeks ago in defeating then-No. 17 Pittsburgh 54-34 behind a record-setting six touchdown passes by embattled quarterback Mike Teel.

“It makes it that much easier when you go out and win games,” Teel said. “You can prepare and you can practice, but if you don't win, it just makes it hard. So there's definitely a sense of energy, a sense of urgency. Guys realize it's gonna take all week long to prepare and practice hard to go out and play well.”

Syracuse knocked off Louisville 28-21 last weekend behind Curtis Brinkley's fifth straight 100-yard rushing game to keep its bowl hopes alive. A seventh loss will eliminate the Orangemen from bowl contention.

“It's basically the playoffs,” Syracuse nose tackle Arthur Jones said. “We've got four games to stay in it, make it to a bowl game. We're working hard. We're improving week by week, and it shows. We're able to stop the run and on offense we're able to move the ball passing and running. I'm excited about what this team can do.”

Last week's win marked the second straight year that Syracuse beat Louisville. It was only Greg Robinson's third win in 26 conference games in four seasons as coach.

“Playing a team that's had a bye is a challenge, but I truly believe the best football is ahead of us as a team,” said Robinson, who has been under fire in recent seasons. “We're going to continue to improve.”

One thing that will help the Orangemen is that there is a rivalry with Rutgers. Both teams recruit in the same areas. “Rutgers is one of those opponents we face that we just really don't like,” Syracuse quarterback Cam Dantley said. “Just to go down to their place - they kind of beat us pretty bad the last time we were there - and come out with a win would be great.”

In beating Louisville, Syracuse ran the ball well and got a couple of big scoring plays and a late interception by safety Bruce Williams to preserve the win.

“We're going to get in the (bowl) mix somehow, or we're going to ruin a lot of people's chances,” Williams said. “That's what we're out to do. We're looking to win. If we can get two in a row, it would be special to us. That hasn't happened in forever.”

Rutgers is trying to overcome a disastrous start to earn its fourth straight bowl invitation. The Scarlet Knights realistically had late chances to win in three of the five losses.

The big difference in the win over Pittsburgh was that the offense finally woke up after struggling all season. Teel was able to find receivers Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood often and the running game was effective.

“It was a great thing for us to see all the guys produce on offense because that's the way they're capable of playing,” defensive tackle Pete Tverdov said. “It looked like the offense we saw in the spring that we couldn't stop. If the offense didn't play the way they played on Saturday, we would have lost that game.”