Tyler
Scarlet Surge
Date Posted: 11/21/08
Since Thanksgiving is coming up, it reminded me of something I am truly thankful for: my awful predictions.
Last week, I predicted Rutgers losing to South Florida six points. Could I have been more wrong? Rutgers wiped USF by the final score of 49-16. So this holiday season, I'm thankful for my wrong predictions.
It was a big win for Rutgers, no doubt, but it will be meaningless if they can't finish the season with two more wins. RU has a chance to go 8-5, that'd be with a bowl victory, but the biggest thing they can do right now is beat Army, and then Louisville. That would ensure that A. They'd go to a bowl game and B. They'd be above .500 once again, which is important to continue to keep getting better as a program.
Fans must realize this has been a successful year if we can finish out 7-5, or 8-5. It may not have been that top 10 ranked, 11-2 type season we've come to expect following the 2006 campaign, but it offers hope for next year that we can continue to improve consistently each and every year, despite starting this season off 1-5.
Now onto the game preview. Army is a run first team, who has been pretty successful at doing so. Don't expect many pass attempts like the Knights of Rutgers saw last weekend versus USF. Army will only throw a few times per game. One game that they won this season they threw just 3 passes, completing NONE of them, but still came away with the W. Although Army is just 3-7 on the year, they have shown great improvement over last season, thanks to fullback Collin Mooney. Mooney has rushed for 1,173 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 6 yards per carry. He will be just another talented back the Scarlet Knights will have to face. Rutgers should be fine defensively as they've been able to handle most rushing attacks thrown at them this season. Don't expect RU to be able to force six turnovers like last week though, as Army won't put the ball on the ground much.
When Rutgers is on offense, they should be able to use their supperior speed to go right by the Black Knights. RU will probably show a balenced attack of run and pass, but I think if they can get Teel in a rhythem early, this game won't even be close. I expect to see a heavy dose of Joe Martinek this week, with some Young sprinkled in, as well as a few carries for Jourdan Brooks and Mason Robinson. Despite playing all four backs, I fully expect Joe Martinek seeing most of the carries after his impressive performance last week against USF. Now onto...
My Prediction:
Army 10
Rutgers 34
Game Ball: Kenny Britt. The junior from Bayonne, NJ has a huge game. 11 rec., 201 yards, 2 td.
Game Time: 12:00 PM E.T.
Site: Rutgers Stadium. Piscataway, NJ.
Weather: Mostly Sunny. COLD. High of 30 degrees. Winds 15-30 mph.
Lets hope my prediction is actually right this time. Go Scarlet Knights!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Game Ten Preview: Rutgers @ South Florida
Tyler
Scarlet Surge
Date Posted: 11/14/08
Although I seem to say this week in and week out, this is Rutgers most important game. And probably toughest test of the season thus far (at least in conference). The Knights will travel to Tampa to take on the USF Bulls in a showdown that is quickly becoming a rivalry. These are two teams that battle for recruits each and every year, as Rutgers has a good pipeline down in Florida, so for sure, this is more than just another Big East game. Not just for great games on the field, but competition off the field as well.
South Florida will come at you with a Shotgun-Spread attack, Grothe at the helm another year. Grothe was solid, but not great in a loss that South Florida (then ranked #2) could have been able to win against RU last year. South Florida has lost to Rutgers the past two seasons, so they have extra motivation on the line in this one. USF has lost the past three games, and have quickly fallen out of the rankings, but they remain in the running for the Big East championship. Offensively, Rutgers will need speed on the field at all times. If that means Lefeged spot shadowing Grothe for the second year in a row, so be it, but the Knights will need to be in Nickel or Dime most of the game to compete with the 3, 4, and 5 WR sets USF will throw at them. Last year, Rutgers finished the game with 6 sacks. In my opinion, this will once again be a huge statistic. If Rutgers doesn't give Grothe time to pass or to take off and scramble, Rutgers will have an EXCELLENT chance at pulling off the upset down in Florida.
Rutgers offensively will have a tough task ahead of them as they square off against USF's defense. USF's defense consists of some pretty good players, but one jumps out at you when you watch them play. Defensive end George Selvie. This guy is flat out great. He gives offensive tackles nightmares. However, Rutgers held him in check very well last season, but with three offensive lineman gone from last years squad, this year may write a different story. He'll be the biggest challenge for RU's offense. Once again, like I said last week, I will expect to see a heavy dosage of Kordell Young, Martinek, Robinson, and maybe a carry or two for Brooks. After Martinek's showing last week, he needs more touches. Would love to see some more 'Wildcat' formation out of the Knights. I think Martinek would be a good candidate to try and THROW out of the formation.
My Prediction:
Rutgers 20
South Florida 26
Game Ball: Damaso Munoz. 7 total tackles, 2 tfl, 2 sack.
I think Rutgers is going to end up losing a very close ball game. Unfortunately I don't think we have what it takes to get it done versus USF this season. USF is better than their record shows.
Game Time: 12:00 P.M. E.T.
Site: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida.
Weather: Possible Thunderstorms and Rain. 79 degrees.
Lets hope my prediction is wrong! Go Knights!
Scarlet Surge
Date Posted: 11/14/08
Although I seem to say this week in and week out, this is Rutgers most important game. And probably toughest test of the season thus far (at least in conference). The Knights will travel to Tampa to take on the USF Bulls in a showdown that is quickly becoming a rivalry. These are two teams that battle for recruits each and every year, as Rutgers has a good pipeline down in Florida, so for sure, this is more than just another Big East game. Not just for great games on the field, but competition off the field as well.
South Florida will come at you with a Shotgun-Spread attack, Grothe at the helm another year. Grothe was solid, but not great in a loss that South Florida (then ranked #2) could have been able to win against RU last year. South Florida has lost to Rutgers the past two seasons, so they have extra motivation on the line in this one. USF has lost the past three games, and have quickly fallen out of the rankings, but they remain in the running for the Big East championship. Offensively, Rutgers will need speed on the field at all times. If that means Lefeged spot shadowing Grothe for the second year in a row, so be it, but the Knights will need to be in Nickel or Dime most of the game to compete with the 3, 4, and 5 WR sets USF will throw at them. Last year, Rutgers finished the game with 6 sacks. In my opinion, this will once again be a huge statistic. If Rutgers doesn't give Grothe time to pass or to take off and scramble, Rutgers will have an EXCELLENT chance at pulling off the upset down in Florida.
Rutgers offensively will have a tough task ahead of them as they square off against USF's defense. USF's defense consists of some pretty good players, but one jumps out at you when you watch them play. Defensive end George Selvie. This guy is flat out great. He gives offensive tackles nightmares. However, Rutgers held him in check very well last season, but with three offensive lineman gone from last years squad, this year may write a different story. He'll be the biggest challenge for RU's offense. Once again, like I said last week, I will expect to see a heavy dosage of Kordell Young, Martinek, Robinson, and maybe a carry or two for Brooks. After Martinek's showing last week, he needs more touches. Would love to see some more 'Wildcat' formation out of the Knights. I think Martinek would be a good candidate to try and THROW out of the formation.
My Prediction:
Rutgers 20
South Florida 26
Game Ball: Damaso Munoz. 7 total tackles, 2 tfl, 2 sack.
I think Rutgers is going to end up losing a very close ball game. Unfortunately I don't think we have what it takes to get it done versus USF this season. USF is better than their record shows.
Game Time: 12:00 P.M. E.T.
Site: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, Florida.
Weather: Possible Thunderstorms and Rain. 79 degrees.
Lets hope my prediction is wrong! Go Knights!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Game Nine Preview: Syracuse @ Rutgers
After an impressive 54-34 against the (then ranked 17) Pittsburgh Panthers, RU returns home to face off against arch-rival the Orangemen.
If Rutgers can get off to a quick start they should be fine in this one. Syracuse brings along a formidable run game in Curtis Brinkley, but Rutgers has shown the ability to keep great backs in tack, and they should be up against the wall once again in that regard.
Offensively, Rutgers has the chance to really go off against a weak defense. I look for a huge game from Kordell Young on the ground, and I do EXPECT Martinek and Brooks to see some action, along with Mason Robinson.
Defensively, I see nothing that Rutgers shouldn't be able to stop. Brinkley is a nice weapon, but he's no heisman candidate. The Knights should roll in this one.
My Prediction:
'Cuse 7
Rutgers 24
Game Ball: Kordell Young. He has a break out game. 19 carries, 142 yards, 2 touchdowns. Also 3 rec., 23 yards.
Game Time: 12:00 P.M. ET
Site: Rutgers Stadium, Piscataway, N.J.
Weather: 60 degrees. Rain on and off at 60% chance.
That's it for this week. Go RU!
If Rutgers can get off to a quick start they should be fine in this one. Syracuse brings along a formidable run game in Curtis Brinkley, but Rutgers has shown the ability to keep great backs in tack, and they should be up against the wall once again in that regard.
Offensively, Rutgers has the chance to really go off against a weak defense. I look for a huge game from Kordell Young on the ground, and I do EXPECT Martinek and Brooks to see some action, along with Mason Robinson.
Defensively, I see nothing that Rutgers shouldn't be able to stop. Brinkley is a nice weapon, but he's no heisman candidate. The Knights should roll in this one.
My Prediction:
'Cuse 7
Rutgers 24
Game Ball: Kordell Young. He has a break out game. 19 carries, 142 yards, 2 touchdowns. Also 3 rec., 23 yards.
Game Time: 12:00 P.M. ET
Site: Rutgers Stadium, Piscataway, N.J.
Weather: 60 degrees. Rain on and off at 60% chance.
That's it for this week. Go RU!
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