PITTSBURGH (AP) -Rutgers and Pittsburgh are two of the East's oldest college football programs. Rutgers played in the very first game against Princeton in 1869, and Pittsburgh has regularly fielded nationally ranked teams since taking up the sport in 1890.

Despite their long histories, Rutgers and Pitt have never played a game against each other as important as their contest on Saturday. Or one that's been remotely close to this one.

``Everybody knows who's coming to town, and what they bring,'' Pitt quarterback Tyler Palko said. ``They're undefeated, and I didn't see that coming.''

Not many others did, either. Yes, he's really talking about a Rutgers-Pitt game.

So far there hasn't been much of a rivalry - Pitt has won 19 of 23 games in the series, and has lost to the Scarlet Knights only once since 1998.

But with No. 19 Rutgers (6-0, 1-0 in Big East) enjoying one of the best starts in school history, and just-outside-the Top 25 Pittsburgh (6-1, 2-0) owning its best record since 1982, Saturday's game will affect the Top 25. And the Big East bowl picture. And the conference race, with the winner ready to move in if No. 4 West Virginia or No. 6 Louisville falters.

Who would have thought it?

Actually, Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt and Rutgers coach Greg Schiano did.

Wannstedt, the former Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears coach, thought so highly of Schiano that he hired him as an assistant coach with the Bears. The two have considerable respect for one another, and each predicted the other would build a strong program.

``I knew it was just a matter of time,'' Schiano said of Wannstedt, who was 5-6 in his first season at Pitt a year ago. ``That's just him.''

Wannstedt saw Rutgers on the rise when the Knights went 7-5 last season, beating Pitt 37-29 in a game the Knights once led 27-0.

Now, the Scarlet Knights are No. 1 nationally in fewest points allowed and No. 2 in fewest yards allowed, though their schedule has been suspect so far.

Their special teams have blocked four punts. Their top running back, Ray Rice, is No. 4 nationally with a nearly 150 yards per game average. Their fullback, Brian Leonard, could be an early round NFL draft choice.

``There's probably not a football team that's been in the news, talk radio or national TV since the beginning of the season more than Rutgers,'' Wannstedt said, pointing to the Knights' fast turnaround since going 4-7 in 2004 and 1-11 in 2002. ``They're higher ranked than (No. 20) Oklahoma, and I think that kind of makes you take a double look.''

Pitt counters with the nation's most efficient quarterback, Palko, who has thrown 17 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. A defense that turns the ball over more than any team in the country - 20 times in seven games. And a mindset that, despite playing a weak schedule to date, this could be the game that gets them back into the Top 25.

``We know that it would be a big win for us,'' Wannstedt said.

It might be bigger still for Rutgers, which, like Pitt, still has West Virginia and Louisville to play but should climb in the national rankings by winning.

``It's good to come out and win your first six games, but it's only a start,'' quarterback Mike Teel said. ``Now we're going to get into the heart of the Big East Conference, and that's when the play gets more intense and physical. Although we've had a good start, we can't let that get us.''

Pitt has been waiting for a quality opponent to play since losing to Michigan State 38-23 on Sept. 16. The Panthers have beaten The Citadel, Toledo, Syracuse and Central Florida since then.

``We need to show how good we are,'' offensive lineman Joe Villani said. ``We know it, but this will prove it to everyone else if we can beat a ranked team like Rutgers.''

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