Rutgers football Gameday!

Last call in Piscataway today for the Rutgers 2017 season. Michigan State (And Johnny) will make up the opposition today but before we dig into today's particulars, how did RU really do this season?

The Scarlet Knights under Chris Ash sit at 4-7. After a miserable and truly pathetic 2-10 season a year ago they have doubled their win total but is this a truly 'feel good' about the two game improvement we're really going places or just a tiny bit better? Our answer is, and you'll hate us for punting, but we won't know if it's real improvement until next year. For every good 14-12 win at Purdue there was a 16-13 loss to Eastern Michigan at home. For every good win vs Maryland and Illinois there were still outright drubbings by Ohio State and INDIANA. For a few weeks they can run then the well runs dry. For a couple games the passing game looks passable then, dumptown. With the next recruiting class in it will take until this time next year to see if RU is going to press for bowl eligibility in their last two games of if god forbid they backslide. We'll say this, they competed well in the B1G this year, certainly better than predicted.

Every two years Sparty comes to town and every two years Johnny and Mrs. Johnny take on the hell that is NJ Transit who dumped an entire train of MSU & Rutgers fans in Rahway in 2015 after assuring them all (about 20 fans) that train that left Newark was going to New Brunswick. An Uber ride with RU fans met on the train saved the day and kickoff. 15 yard penalty on NJ Transit for targeting the wrong stop.  last time a wobbly #4 Spartan team and in on a Saturday night and RU gave them all they could stand and only walked out victorious after RU QB Chris Laviano spiked the ball on 4th down denying the Scarlet Knights a chance at a hail mary. The key that night was RU stopped the Spartan running attack.

They'll badly need to do that again today. MSU had become quite the passing team as the year has gone on, leaving that 'pound green pound' persona gained over the last few seasons of success with Javon Ringer, Le'Veon Bell & the LJ Scott battering ram of two years ago, not the chronic fumbler of this year. Last week vs Maryland however the old ground attack was back with a vengeance and with Sparty being of single mind today, "Flip it" (Meaning 3-9 last year to a possible 9-3 this year) they'd love nothing more than to dull this one down and unleash Scott, Madre London and Gerald Holmes again and again and again on a Rutgers defense that struggles mightily against the run. However if RU can slow the Spartan ground game, Chris Lewerke has plenty of targets to throw to. Felton Davis III should be on a lot of all-Big Ten teams with is 45 receptions for 586 yard and 8 of Lewerke's 16 TD passes. He's a big target who catches well and well in traffic.

Rutgers best advantage is one they'll have to make themselves, sow doubt in MSU's mind. If Sparty loses today this whole feel-good season or redemption and turn around somewhat ends as a buffed turd. Losing to a team with Rutgers record and not completing their 'flip' and suddenly the shine comes off 2017. As Dom DeLuise said in History of the World Part I, "Nice....not thrilling....but nice." There was a great article on it written in the Lansing State Journal. This game means a LOT to Michigan Sate, if RU can drag them into the deep water of the 4th quarter, like 2015, anything can happen.

Offensively, well, ugh. Johnny thought there was a good chance for RU last weekend before last place Indiana handed the Scarlet Knights their lunch 41-0. Has the RU offense checked out? Are they capable of running the ball against an awful tough team to run against? Are they willing to simply air it out today against a defense that brings pressure but puts corners and safeties in one on one coverage? DING DING DING! RU has to throw and throw well. Look, nothing to lose but everything to gain. Option passes, reverse passes, going for it on 4th down, throw caution to the wind and that does go to the idea of RU causing MSU some doubt. Sure that kind of gameplan can backfire but standing toe-to-toe with MSU in the trenches is a losing plan.

Like we said, last call on the Rutgers season. While RU might enjoy a night vodka tonic or Manhattan before they go, we kind of have a feeling tonight it'll be Boone's Farm wine.

Fearless Forecast
Michigan State 31
Rutgers 20

Rutgers football Gameday!

On the road for the last road game of the season in Bloomington Indiana today with a noon kickoff as the Scarlet Knights look DOWN at the Hoosiers in the B1G East standings.

What's that? There are TWO teams below Rutgers in the B1G East right now? It's true, a very strong second half of the season shows RU ahead of both the Hoosiers and Maryland. A win today would assure the Scarlet Knights of no less than 5th in the loaded East. Who among you had RU coming in right behind the Murderer's Row of Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan and Pedd State? Maryland and Indiana, who are they?

OK, let's not get too cocky but it's fun to even jest about these matter this late into November.

Indiana comes into the game in last place at 1-6 in B1G conference play. Wait a second, it's around here somewhere...

So, Indiana comes into today in last place in B1G conference play as the offensive juggernaut of the last few seasons never materialized. Can Rutgers keep it good and hibernated for another week?

That's why Johnny's writes these things.

First off, records aside, Johnny thinks this one will be close. Rutgers gives about about as many points as IU averages. The Hoosier defense gives up a tad more scoring than Rutgers. So our key to success? The same way they beat Illinois and Purdue, KISS, Keep.It.Simple.Stupid. Run the ball. RU averages around 166 yards a game on terra firma and will most likely need something close today. At Michigan State the mantra when the ground game is going well is, "Pound Green Pound" and if RU can get a "Pound Red Pound" today and control the clock they'll at least be in the game with better than a 50/50 chance to win. Indiana gives up a stingy 150+ on the ground so effort and lack of holding or false start penalties will be needed. Johnny's actual game key today for the Scarlet Knights is penalties. Composure on the road for a young growing team is vital.

If there ever was a time for Chris Ash to play the 'no respect' card it is today. Huddled away in a dump of a locker room in Bloomington Ash can point out despite being two games ahead of IU in the standings they are 10.5 point underdogs. The ESPN Matchup Predictor has IU at 76% likely to win today. Win today, and hope for the best vs Sparty next week in Piscataway and this season, this expected moribund season could end at 6-6. Could, might, maybe. All those words start today.

Fearless Forecast
Rutgers 30
Indiana 25

Rutgers football Gameday!

Here we are with our little Rutgers Gameday thread and on a two game winning-streak to boot! That's right, a two game Big Ten winning-streak which makes today's game that much more enjoyable if you allow yourselves to dream RU fans. Why, a win today would level the Scarlet Knights record at 4-4 and move them into fourth place ahead of Michigan in the B1G East and people might just start thinking bowl game.

But first, Michigan, in the People's Republic of Ann Arbor today at noon. Let's take a look-see.

The Detroit and SE Michigan media are not being very kind to Jim Harbaugh. They've started pointing out he's the third highest paid coach in NCAA football and they expect more than a 1-4 record vs MSU and OSU and fourth place in the B1G East.. Getting waxed by other B1G teams doesn't help. So no doubt after he does his "Who's got it better than us" song to the team, the Wolverines will run through that tunnel expecting a big bounce back and an easy Homecoming win. Will they get it?

Can Rutgers stop Michigan from running and setting up play action? Can the RU corners spend one great afternoon this year playing like flypaper? That's what it's gonna take friends. We don't think the RU offense will get that much going consistently enough to scare Michigan, even with their pop-gun offense. Defense defense defense must be the order of the day. Somehow Chris Ash's charges must keep Michigan 17 points or under and under 100 yards rushing. Sure, it's a tall order but that's what great wins are made from.

At some point Michigan is going to want to get their next big thing QB of the future Brandon Peters onto the field. RU will see him one of two ways, John O'Korn is awful and inefficient like he was in the rain vs. Michigan State OR he'll come in with Michigan comfortably ahead. Gonna be up to Rutgers to see how that plays out. Either way, expect Jim Harbaugh to find Peters some game time today. Know who else will see the field a LOT? Karan Higdon, Michigan's bell cow running back. He's probably ready to run through walls about now knowing he'll be a big part of Michigan's game planning. Watch what kind of first quarter numbers he puts up. Good or bad it may start to tell what kind of game this will be. The most successful Jim Harbaugh, the Stanford and early Michigan Jim Harbaugh pounded the ball behind a mammoth offensive line and took no prisoners. Two and three tight ends, fullbacks, it was big and imposing. If Michigan starts with long passes and reverses and special teams trickery it would seem he's playing to his critics.

It's just a fact the Wolverines are bigger and stronger in those trenches with many more impact players and important positions. They have a coach ESPN cannot shut up about. They have the history.

So why are they 6-5 their last 11 games?

THAT right there is what RU has to tap into to get the win. Doubt in Michigan's minds. Right now, for the first time really in Johnny's life, Michigan is waiting for something bad to happen near the ends of games. Been that way since the RichRod days. Rutgers cannot afford getting down 14-0 or 17-3 in the first half and make today work. While current Minnesota and former Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck preaches rowing the boat, RU today must "sow that doubt" all around Michigan Stadium. Easier said than done.

When all is said and done in Ann Arbor, and the fans have moved on to Zingermann's or The Real Seafood company, the Mongolian Bar-B-Que or the White Castle on Carpenter and Packard, how does this one play out Johnny, and what about that two game winning streak?

Fearless Forecast
Michigan 30
Rutgers 14

Rutgers football Gameday Homecoming Edition!

It's Homecoming in Piscataway and for once the alumni are coming home to a winning streak. Sure sure, it's one game and was preceded by a long losing streak but today for one day, it's about the win.

A much improved Purdue team arrives today not looking like the automatic W for the opponent they used to be. Purdue, while improved, aren't exactly Ohio State yet either. They will come into RU hoping not to fall victim to the team most consider the worst in the B1G. Purdue has made some positive strides this season, those might be considered lost with a road loss to the Scarlet Knights.

Purdue is a road favorite for first time in 5 years today, coming in as 8 point favorites. Johnny thinks that's hogwash. RU has the momentum and again, Purdue isn't OSU or MSU or Wisconsin right now; They're a good up and coming story but there are still hurdles to clear before they even become Iowa or Indiana. Johnny thinks today could be one of those hurdles.

RU RB's Gus Edwards and Raheem Blackshear will need a similar effort as Illinois. Run the ball, shorten the game, makes it easy on Giovanni Rescigno should he see the majority of playing time again this week or Kyle Bolin in relief. Purdue will want to open and spread the field. Rutgers can't let them pass all day and cannot let the Boilers keep the ball. RU at the end of the day needs time of possession to land on their side of the ledger.

Purdue looking for bowl game eligibility which will give them plenty of emotion and fight though Johnny thinks the back tot he wall keep bowl hopes alive tend to come in weeks 10-11-12. So, somebody gets second conference win today and either way it will hopefully change impressions. A Purdue team looking to play in a bowl would change tat impression of being a dump program in a dump town. If RU can get their second win in a row maybe, just maybe Chris Ash can get some breathing room even for a week. Two wins in a row would be a high point for the program in the B1G and that chance comes today in High Point Stadium

So, a crossroads for two teams today in Piscataway. One looking to keep climbing and one looking to set their feet on solid ground. It's a glorious day for football in New Jersey today and Johnny sees no reason to spoil the party now.

Fearless Forecast
Rutgers 28
Purdue 25

Rutgers football Gameday!

When we saw the sun come up this morning over New Jersey, OK for argument's sake let's pretend we all saw the sun come up, was there a little extra aura 'round these parts with the sun? A little something something in the air? Could it be.....hope?

Look, the B1G losing streak is long and getting longer. However the Scarlet Knights are in Champale-Urbana today vs the Lovie Smith-led Illini. The Fighting Illini on paper don't send shudders down anybody's spine. Don't believe Johnny? Check out this graphic from the ESPN:










There's nothing there that says Rutgers can't win this game. Defense isn't the problem and therein lies the hope. Johnny has long thought that the day Rutgers breaks the B1G losing streak it'd be on the road away from the jeers, the pressures, and overall malaise that has overtaken Piscataway. Today is the day, Johnny just has a feeling.

The biggest key to today is a fast start by the Scarlet Knights. Former Red Wings and now Maple Loafs coach Mike Babcock always preaches showing up ready to compete with your compete level being high and starting on time. Babcock seems to know winning. Rutgers, Start. On. Time. Pop Illinois in the nose, get a lead, work on that lead. Again, there is nothing in those offensive stats above that say Illinois is a comeback team. Want some more hope with coffee this morning? For as poor as the Illini offense is, the defense is worse. If the football field is a parkway the toll booths are open and you can E-Z Pass and run on Illinois. Lovie's Eleven are giving up an average of 248 yards through the air and 181 on the ground. For as average at the RU offense has been there should be the ability to step up today, you're not facing OSU, MSU or U-M's defense, open the playbook, let the kids PLAY. Johnny thinks the offensive key is Rutgers play-action passing today. Illinois gives up a lot on the ground, this should open the medium range passing game. Again, nothing fancy, a nice medium range game could be enough. It'll allow Kyle Bolin to stay in a comfort zone.

Defensively, take some chances today Coach Ash, again, PLAY football. Jeff George Jr. is not going to beat you throwing, he's not. Challenge him, make him move. 1 TD and 5 INT's? The defensive Rutgers players should be bouncing off the walls inside their locker room about 11:45 Central Daylight Time and ready to make a difference.

Sure, Illinois is on a two game winning streak -- against Western Kentucky and Ball State. When faced with B1G talent Big Chief Illiniwek has fared about as well as Rutgers has.

So, Johnny is today the day?

Fearless Forecast
Rutgers 27
Illinois 24

Rutgers Football Gameday!

OK, we know. We all now what today is and who is coming to town tonight. Urban Meyer and the Columbus Eleven arrive and everything we know, read or feel tells us the Buckeyes should have little trouble with Rutgers tonight in Piscataway.

Or does it?

Harken back a couple years ago when Michigan State came into RU for a Saturday night game, ranked #4 in the country and they barely escaped (and were helped with the spiked 4th down pass). Rutgers came up with a magnificent effort, a loud crowd and a belief that once the game got to the 4th quarter they COULD win it. How does that scenario come back around tonight? Let's look.

MSU came into that game with a decimated O-line and lost #1 RB Madre London on the first drive. Ohio State comes in healthy up front (So key) but with some vulnerabilities shown by Oklahoma. It wasn't that the Sooners had superior talent, they had a better scheme. How about it Chris Ash, here's your chance to gameplan a masterpiece. Gotta have it. The Scarlet Knights do have a talent deficiency tonight, its gotta be a great gameplan.

That night against MSU, Rutgers was on attack all night long on defense. They didn't seem to worry if the Spartans hit a big play. They kept coming and you could feel the defense build off of the confidence the coaches had in them. J.T. Barrett is the key and he can do a lot of things well, RU needs to keep him uncomfortable by doing things Rutgers doesn't normally do. Look, if you get buried 55-7 you do, the Bucks are are going to try to run up any score to get back in the playoff discussion. RU has to try something different OSU hasn't seen.

Let's use Michigan State in another way, how they beat OSU in Columbus a couple years back. Low scoring, ball control. MSU always plays OSU tough because they stop the run. In the 2013 Big Ten title game and in Columbus Sparty stuffed the OSU running game and made them pass. They contained the run in a 17-16 loss to Brutus last year. See they key? Running game. 100 yards allowed on the ground is the number the Scarlet Knight defense must keep in mind.

We'd say a couple years back MSU was looking past Rutgers to Michigan (the famed botched punt game) but OSU next week plays Maryland, not a top tier opponent so probably not advantage RU.

Our biggest worry is the Rutgers offense laying an egg. No, an egg. 13 points vs EMU makes nobody confident. Johnny said last week vs Nebraska that RU needed a defensive score to help them keep it close, they got that. Tonight we think they'll need a defensive score, a special teams score and maybe a blocked kick, the holy trinity.

So, yeah, it doesn't look good and right now all RU fans have to go on is faith and hope one day it turns around. A giant upset would help, especially tonight at home. As positive as Johnny tries to be with the RU football program in his Fearless Forecasts, tonight, well, let's just say no golf cart pizza for Urban:

Ohio State 42
Rutgers 16

Rutgers Football Gameday!

Sure, sure, you love Rutgers, its why you clicked. Not many bandwagon fans hanging around the Garden State for RU football anymore. But you did click here and we are going to give you a proper Gameday thread (and feel free to comment during the game) despite the longest losing streak in America, despite the fact it's Morgan State and despite it's the last time the Scarlet Knights will be favored from here until Thanksgiving.

While focusing on one player in Bo Melton, NJ.com writer Steve Politi is spot on in his analysis of 'let's get the kids going, it'll be their program soon enough and let's get them some experience' going forward. RU does need to see what Chris Ash's recruits can contribute NOW. What are they waiting for? Here's a chance to have some success today with this young and supposedly talented corps of receivers and carry it into B1G play. Find out what the kids have, you'll rely on them as early as next week as Rutgers lacks the depth a lot of other B1G programs have right now. Get their uniforms dirty coach, they'll wash them.

OC Jerry Kill has to figure out what in tarnation he's going to do and actually mange a 2 QB system with Kyle Bolin and Johnathan Lewis. Lewis played for two plays last week, both awful and that was the end of him. Is he really a QB who is going to come into certain wildcat or other sets and do something or just be a novelty? Again, get the kids' jerseys dirty. Eastern Michigan is a good college team. A program on the come but let's face it, Bolin looked like he was playing Alabama last week. Kill is a well considered OC who has had a lot of success at this level but this is on him to make this work. In the meantime today, RUN. THE. BALL. 40 times at least.

Defensively the Scarlet Knights defense is the only reason EMU didn't win by 10 or more. They will have to find ways, and why not start today as practice makes perfect, to be stern and studly and keep RU in games or this season is a 1-11 disaster. Even if it means they have to take the odd chance in the secondary to jump a route and get a score, yeah, this is the engine that'll have to drive the bus.

Morgan State comes into today's matchup in Piscataway not having scored any points in 2017 (Like Johnny). Seriously, if Rutgers doesn't win this game and by a good margin -- questions about the Ash era are going to become the only question around the RU Athletic Department.

Fearless Forecast:
Rutgers 31
Morgan State 7