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You don't think losing Nebraska and Wisconsin and picking up the Ill Noise and the Minny Mouses is less difficult. Indiana is weaker and Maryland is...Maryland. Under/Over =6. But I am enjoying this smoke.2016 vs 2015? 2016 is harder by every measure.
There is no Army or Kansas.
Washington is a very good team and we play them in the west coast and New Mexico is far better than Army or Kansas.
We are also installing brand new system on all three sides of the game.
EASIER?? LOL!
Washington > Wazzou
New Mexico > Army
Iowa > Wisconsin
Minny = Nebraska
Illinois > Kansas
....harder buddy. Going into the season we will be underdogs in ALL but 1 game, maybe 2, that's it.
There is a huge perceived gap. We're going to find out how much of that gap is due to talent and how much is due to coaching/schemes.bingo. I wonder if the OP even seen these teams play last year or us play last year? There is a huge gap. Hopefully Ash can START to close that gap.
I'll tell you what's a salve: we have 7 Home Tailgates next year: Sept. 10th, 17th & 24th; Oct. 8th & 15th; and Nov. 5th & 19th.
This coming season will be consider a success or failure depending on how the team does when measured against the point spread.
Ash is absolutely using Rutgers as an audition as did Greg and Flood(if he could have won). RU is not a destination type program, as much as we all want to believe, we lack tradition, facilities, fan support and winning. If Ash can bring some of that he will move on, then the next will have to continue to build on it. we are 10-15 years and alot of luck away from being OSU or Michigan.80% emotional 20% talent = college football; VL quote
That said our season will be pivotal on our very first shot out of the gate.
9/3 against Washington will be a game to watch because it will set the attitude of our players. Our advantage is there be no tape on our O. How well we play even a close loss as we will be the underdogs could set a upbeat tone for the rest of the season. Kids "buy in" will be great. A major blow out could discourage progress, but with Howard and New Mexico at our house should be a mental rebound should we lose to Washington on game one.
Hell we upset Washington we could be 4-0 going into tosu
Yes I am saying we beat Washington and the emotional "buyin to the new program" charge we have a good change of upsetting Iowa at our house.
If we have a coach who can come up with a solid game plan. Yes I am stating to beat Iowa we will need good coaching, in preparation and game day adjustment.
Note, Ash may be auditioning for one of the few position that may make him leave Rutgers down the road. I can see Iowa being one of the few programs Ash would leave us for (NOT NEXT YEAR) but in 4-6 years if successful here. And that success starts with beating Iowa.
Ash is absolutely using Rutgers as an audition as did Greg and Flood(if he could have won). RU is not a destination type program, as much as we all want to believe, we lack tradition, facilities, fan support and winning. If Ash can bring some of that he will move on, then the next will have to continue to build on it. we are 10-15 years and alot of luck away from being OSU or Michigan.
One change to the above is that Iowa in our building is not stronger than Wisky in theirs (though both teams are very hard for us to beat).EASIER?? LOL!
Washington > Wazzou
New Mexico > Army
Iowa > Wisconsin
Minny = Nebraska
Illinois > Kansas
....harder buddy. Going into the season we will be underdogs in ALL but 1 game, maybe 2, that's it.
RU has traditionally been a graveyard for coaches. The only exception to that is Schiano who many on this site seem to underappreciate. Let's hope that Ash wins enough so that bigger programs come after him. People who would leave their current job in an instant if offered a large raise for some reason feel that the RU head football coach should be loyal and accept below market pay. Always amazes me.
One change to the above is that Iowa in our building is not stronger than Wisky in theirs (though both teams are very hard for us to beat).
.
Based on what I just saw recruiting wise there is not as much of a gap as many of you think. Iowa typically gets 2 and 3 star kids but mainly 3 stars. Same with Minny and Illinois is much closer to the 2 star average than 3 star. I think we get a boost by playing more aggressive on D. I think we get more big plays on Offense and hopefully we can run the ball as well or better than we have the last 2 years. We lose Carroo but we are no longer looking for matchups out of Tight sets. We will be seeing more of a stat sheet that has a handful of guys catching 3-4 passes. We have a veteran group returning. Time for them to step up. Most other positions will be stronger due to a year of experience (unless we lose 7 guys for off field issues again which I don't see happening).There is a huge perceived gap. We're going to find out how much of that gap is due to talent and how much is due to coaching/schemes.
C Viv and now Wrestling coach Scott Goodale, not to mention the women's Soccer Coach have succeeded and made RU their 'destination ' job.
This has come up quite a bit - people thinking 2016 will be easier than 2015 - and it really won't be.
Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State are all back on the schedule - and all finished last year in the Top 20 in Sagarin. The closest of those last year, MSU, we get on the road in 2016 instead of home in 2015... Ohio State loses several pieces to the NFL, but we're into Harbaugh's second year too. A slight nudge harder here.
We also keep PA St., Indiana, and Maryland on the schedule... two of three will be at home, rather than one of three. A slight nudge easier here.
The FCS games are a wash.
So, that leaves the other five games... let's look at them in Sagarin order.
#19 Wisconsin (10-3) (away) vs. #22 Iowa (12-2) (home)... fairly close, pretty much a wash.
#42 Nebraska (6-7) (home) vs. #25 Washington (7-6) (away)... definitely more difficult in 2016.
#43 Washington State (9-4) (home) VS. #64 Minnesota (6-7) (away)... slightly easier opponent, but away instead of home... bit of a wash, maybe a touch easier in 2016.
#140 Army (2-10) (away) vs. #71 Illinois (5-7) (home)... more difficult in 2016.
#156 Kansas (0-12) (home) vs. #107 New Mexico (7-6) (home)... more difficult in 2016.
So, three of the five games are more difficult than last year... and two are close to a wash. If you look at the win totals for those five teams, we go from teams that finished last year (27-36) vs teams that finished (37-28).
Edit: We finished last season with Sagarin worse than all but one team we face next year (New Mexico).
C Viv has her "unbelievable dream" job. $$$$
Iowa (not nearly as good as 2015)
I think 20-16 could be more difficult than 2015, from a scheduling standpoint - and should be.
But you definitely skewed the comparisons.
Why not, for example, compare Washington State to Washington? That seems more natural than comparing Nebraska to Washingotn and Minny to Wash St.
Then I would say that Washington might be EASIER than Washington State - after all ... for a variety of reasons (even taking into consideration road versus home) - like RU losing its entire secondary 10 days before the WSU game.
And Minny may be easier than Nebraska, no?
I do agree with your premise, but the comparisons you choose make it easier for you to make your point.
I'm sure Iowa will have a good squad next year, but you're losing four out of your six all-conference players. It's not crazy to say the Hawkeyes overachieved last year and may see a drop off in 2016.What planet do you live on?
Iowa will be Top 15 nationally by everyone in the pre-season and returns significant contributors and experience in every single position group on the roster (well, except for kicker and punter, but we apparently just got a grad transfer punter today, so yeah).