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Let’s go 1-0!

At the outset, the Minnesota Game looks like a Wisconsin style beatdown. They play really tough defense, and are within the Top 10 in Scoring Defense. They are very tough against the pass. Their quarterback, Max Brosmer, sports a phenomenal 68.2% passing completion %, mostly to Darrell Jackson, the Big Tens leading returning receiver, and their leading rusher Darius Taylor, is capable of dropping 150+ rushing yards on the opposing team. They’ve beaten USC and UCLA, among others, and lost tough games to Michigan, Iowa, and North Carolina to go 6-3, thus far. With remaining games against Penn State and Wisconsin, they are looking at this game as the most winnable of the remaining games. For Rutgers, Minnesota is the least winnable of the remaining games.

Nevertheless, Rutgers must find away, because even though these are the toughest days of the season, and we are significantly banged up, we are quickly running out of opportunities, to go bowling. Somehow, some way, we’ve got to win 2 additional games to maintain the perception of progress. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to maintain the recruiting success we saw with last years class.

Thankfully, there’s enough talent to take down Minnesota. It all starts with #5 Kyle Monangai, who has Heisman level talent, but saw significantly diminished production after Left Guard, Brian Felter went down. Taj White replaced him, and is doing his best, while he acclimates to this level of play. Was happy to meet his parents at the LAX baggage claim, and told them to tell him to “Just Keep Chopping!” Overall he’s done a good job, considering the circumstances. Getting back to Kyle, we need him to be “Big Game Kyle”, and for him to put up 150-200 rushing yards against Minnesota. Though he was beaten up against USC, it’s expected he will play vs Minnesota. Incidentally, Iowas Kaleb Johnson rushed for 206 yards, against Minnesota so Rutgers must use the same template.

We will need QB Athan Kaliakmanis, to have a big game as well. Overall he played well against USC, but did miss a number of TD throws. We need him to throw for 300+ yards and better than a 60% completion %. Hopefully since he knows Minnesota’s personnel well, it will help.

Athans favorite target has been Dymere Miller, who had 11 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown vs USC. We’ll need 100+ receiving yards from him Saturday. Korey Duff and Ben Black will complement his efforts. The trio have made it tough for anyone else to see time, and have significantly strengthened the effectiveness of the WR Corp. though Dremel and Long might get a few opportunities.

While the offense looks ready to continue progressing, the defense has struggled terribly, as of late. We went from having two NFL ready DEs and two NFL ready LBers to kids who are struggling, while they learn the ropes. Outstanding LB Tyreem Powell has played some, but his effectiveness has been significantly diminished by injury. We also have a freshman seeing significant time in the secondary, who struggled against USC. So the opposing offenses in the last two games scored at will, and Rutgers gave up 42 points to USC and 35 points to UCLA. We have to get much better in our reads, run fits, and tackling. Maybe it’s time to play the freshman linebackers. Based on what I’ve observed thus far, we don’t have anything to lose. Washington beat USC thanks to the efforts of their outstanding senior LB Carson Bruener and true freshman LB, Kamari House. Hope one of our freshman can have a similar impact.

The season is at the crossroads and we must finish strong. Beat Minnesota, and we are a lock to go bowling. Let’s get it!

Tailgating Grill Restrictions Tomorrow Due to Drought

Got this in an e-mail:

Please note that due to the current mandatory statewide fire restrictions, all fires, unless contained in an elevated stove using only propane, natural gas, or electricity, are prohibited. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed, and the use of kerosene or gas torches of any kind is prohibited while this level of restriction is in place. The fire ban is in place on all public lands and private properties in all municipalities throughout New Jersey.

RAPID REACTION - Wagner

1. Can’t take too much from this game, as Wagner was not a good team. But there were some good signs (and a couple of not-so-good signs) nonetheless.

2. Dylan with an all around good game, played like an established veteran, creating scoring chances for himself and others. Had 20 pts, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists and 9-14 from the field. He is sooo good “at the rim.” Guarantee he will be practicing FTs tonight at the APC after going 1-6 at the line.

3. Pleasant surprise of the night was the play of Lathan Sommerville. Went for 11 and 8 and had some nifty post moves, plus he was more aggressive in rebounding the ball.

4. But (current) starting C Manny Ogbole was a complete non-factor. He’s just very stiff and unskilled. Pike needs to continue to force feed Sommerville to get him ready for the big opponents.

5. The offense generally functioned well, with good ball movement, ZERO guys just dribbling with nowhere to go and ZERO hoisting up desperation shots late in the clock. We consistently got really good looks, with guys making the extra pass. The fact that we went 7-23 (30%) doesn’t concern me, as there wasn’t a “bad” shot among them. The guys that we WANT shooting threes (Martini, Harper, Hayes, Acuff) were a solid 6-16 (37.5%).

6. Acuff still looked rusty, but hitting that three late in the game was really important to give him confidence. That shot could unlock his potential.

7. Absolutely love PJ Hayes. Kid is a baller, plays better defense than we all thought he would, and has a money stroke. Had 12 points on 4-6 (2-4).

8. JMike with a solid floor game, with the usual good on-ball defense (plus 2 blocks and a steal), but also 5 assists and 0 turnovers. He was also 3-4 at the line. He was 0-3 from deep, but I didn’t hate any of those shots.

9. We won handily, that’s all that matters without our best offensive player and after a slow/ragged start.

Sense of urgency around other B1G programs.

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When Matt Rhule defeated Colorado in early September, apparently all was well.....but Nebraska didn't move the ball that well vs the Buffs.....and then Nebraska defeated RU 14-7, but the grumbles grew louder about the offense.

Then an awful blowout at Indiana and Nebraska bounced back with a strong effort at Ohio State, but couldn't execute offensively in crunch time.....Then Nebraska loses a home game to UCLA and is in jeopardy of not making a bowl game for a 9th year in a row....in comes Dana Holgerson to hopefully fix 5* QB Raiola......

OT: NCAA College Football Games Thread 11/5-11/9 Tues-Sat

Tuesday, Nov. 5

7:30 p.m. | Bowling Green at Central Michigan | ESPN2
8 p.m. | Miami (Ohio) at Ball State | ESPN

Wednesday, Nov. 6

7 p.m. | Ohio at Kent State | ESPNU
7 p.m. | Northern Illinois at Western Michigan | ESPN2

Thursday, Nov. 7

8 p.m. | Appalachian State at Coastal Carolina | ESPN
8 p.m. | Florida Atlantic at East Carolina | ESPN2

Friday, Nov. 8

6 p.m. | Dartmouth at Princeton | ESPNU
8 p.m. | Cal at Wake Forest | ACC Network
9 p.m. | Iowa at UCLA | FOX
9 p.m. | Rice at Memphis | ESPN2
10:30 p.m. | New Mexico at San Diego State | FS1

Saturday, Nov. 9

12 p.m. | Florida at No. 5 Texas | ABC/ESPN+
12 p.m. | No. 4 Miami (Fla.) at Georgia Tech | ESPN
12 p.m. | Purdue at No. 3 Ohio State | FOX
12 p.m. | West Virginia at Cincinnati | FS1
12 p.m. | Minnesota at Rutgers | NBC
12 p.m. | Texas State at UL Monroe | ESPNU
12 p.m. | Navy at South Florida | ESPN2
12 p.m. | Syracuse at Boston College | CW Network
1 p.m. | Liberty at Middle Tennessee | CBSSN
3:30 p.m. | No. 2 Georgia at No. 16 Ole Miss | ABC/ESPN+
3:30 p.m. | No. 19 Clemson at Virginia Tech | ESPN
3:30 p.m. | Michigan at No. 8 Indiana | CBS
3:30 p.m. | No. 17 Iowa State at Kansas | FS1
3:30 p.m. | No. 18 Army at North Texas | ESPN2
3:30 p.m. | Duke at NC State | ACC Network
3:30 p.m. | San Jose State at Oregon State | CW Network
4 p.m. | No. 21 Colorado at Texas Tech | FOX
4 p.m. | Temple at Tulane | ESPNU
4:15 p.m. | South Carolina at No. 24 Vanderbilt | SEC Network
4:30 p.m. | Jacksonville State at Louisiana Tech | CBSSN
7 p.m. | Maryland at No. 1 Oregon | Big Ten Network
7 p.m. | Mississippi State at No. 7 Tennessee | ESPN
7 p.m. | UCF at Arizona State | ESPN2
7 p.m. | Oklahoma State at TCU | FS1
7:30 p.m. | Florida State at No. 10 Notre Dame | NBC
7:30 p.m. | No. 11 Alabama at No. 14 LSU | ABC/ESPN+
7:45 p.m. | Oklahoma at Missouri | SEC Network
8 p.m. | Washington at No. 6 Penn State | Peacock
8 p.m. | Nevada at No. 12 Boise State | FOX
8 p.m. | Virginia at No. 23 Pitt | ACC Network
9 p.m. | UNLV at Hawai'i | CBSSN
9:45 p.m. | Fresno State at Air Force | FS1
10:15 p.m. | No. 9 BYU at Utah | ESPN
10:15 p.m. | UC Davis at Montana | ESPN2
10:30 p.m. | Utah State at No. 20 Washington State | CW Network
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Offense is worse than last year. Now what?

Through seven weeks the offense is worse than last year. The schedule is easier though still not easy. Realistically, what will the staff try and do differently the rest of the way?

I’m trying to think of what’s next and I can’t figure it out. Our challenge is more heavy boxes than last year, defenses playing more condensed than last year, and not stressing the contain defender without frequent read option. It’s allowing defenses to set up shop in man coverage crowding the middle of the field.

How that impacts us as a problem is all our passing success usually comes from the slot, and most of our run game success came from getting a double team and holding the weak side defender to allow space for KM to work. My first thoughts on what we can try. But I don’t know if it’ll work. Anyone have any thoughts conceptually (aside from execute better and sure things up; blocking/drops/accuracy/etc.)?

1. Wide passing game. We need to force defenses to spread out. The staff has little confidence in Athan to throw outside the hashes. Let’s get our bigger bodies more targets on these throws and if we have to do so to the boundary (short side of the field). I think Strongs injury may actually hurt more than I originally thought. But as such I would increase snaps for our bigger bodied receivers for a larger catch radius and safer targets for Athan. More Strong/Duff/Black.

2. More pre snap motion to dictate to defense. It seems most of our presnap motion is off play action. We’ve had to abandon play action as we’ve gotten behind early in games. Presnap motion can move defenders out of the middle of the field and help get guys open vs the press man we are facing, and do it before our Oline breaks down. Let’s implement more in dropback passing game to help Athan and the receivers out.
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First Topps Card of Dylan Harper Now Available

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If you aren’t familiar with Topps Now cards, they are printed after big games or milestones. When you buy a card, you have a chance of getting either the standard base card OR:

/25 Game-used Sneaker redemption card​

/10 Game-used Sneaker Autograph-Relic redemption card​

/5 Game-used Sneaker Autograph-Relic redemption card​

1/1 JUMBO Game-used Sneaker Autograph-Relic redemption card​

Base Card Parallels are randomly inserted into every print run! Look for Numbered Parallels:/49 Blue/25 Purple/10 Red/5 Orange/1 Gold


I am almost positive this is his first official Topps card.

You can buy them individually or in packs for a discount. I know people who purposely buy many of these in hopes of scoring one of the parallels which will be worth nice $$$.

They only print as many cards as people order. So even if you get a base card, it is not a mass produced card.

I am buying a 5 pack in hopes of scoring a nice parallel!

Link to purchase
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