Rutgers Football Bowl Projections 2011: Scarlet Knights Still Wearing Pinstripes

Despite suffering a tough Big East Conference loss at the University of Louisville Friday night, 16-14, the Rutgers University football program is still predicted to earn an invitation to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, Dec. 30.

For the third straight week, the Scarlet Knights (5-2, 2-1 Big East Conference) have been selected to represent the conference by ESPN.com's Andrea Adelson.

"New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Rutgers vs. Big 12. The Scarlet Knights will eventually become bowl eligible, and this is the perfect fit -- especially since Syracuse played here last year. The bowl would not want a repeat team."

If Rutgers, which currently is in second place in the Big East standings, doesn't earn the league's Bowl Championship Series automatic qualify berth then the Pinstripe Bowl is the best fit for the Scarlet Knights, who didn't play in the postseason last year.

This Saturday, Rutgers hosts the University of West Virginia (No. 25 in the BCS rankings) at High Point Solutions Stadium (3:30 p.m on ABC).