Athlon Predicting Us To Win Just 1

[cubuffsdoug]

Yeah, they're losing quite a bit (on paper) but if you delve more deeply it's not nearly as bad as it seems.

Maryland has had a ton of injuries over the last few years so many of the projected starters have played quite a bit.

Strangely enough, I actually think this team will be significantly better than the 2014 version.

I'm not a big Edsall fan but he's done a pretty decent job of recruiting and I think this year some of those recruiting efforts will start to bear fruit.

Basically, some of his better (more highly ranked) athletes will start to see the field.

But according to you Rutgers doesn't stand a chance because things like that never happened here. Tuary wasn't a starter, yet he had a big impact than anyone from both teams. That fact can't be overlooked. How about Hicks or Martin? Their impacted was huge after James went down. It works both ways. I think Rutgers is deeper with more experienced personnel.

 

[jlariv9]

I see 3-4

PSU, Mary and Indy. ZERO shot we beat Mich at Mich.

Zero shot?!?! Holy sh*t, why even bother. Zero shot against a team we beat last year - not even 20%? 10%? Get a grip.

 

[jlariv9]

We can beat PSU, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, and Nebraska. Will we? Maybe not, but we have a good chance against all of them (some more than others)

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

There's one preview mag I will not be buying.

 

[MozRU]

We can beat... Nebraska.

Care to put money on it?

 

[MozRU]

Zero shot?!?! Holy sh*t, why even bother. Zero shot against a team we beat last year - not even 20%? 10%? Get a grip.

Care to put money on it?

 

[Scarlet16E]

Athlon also shows North Carolina's schedule for South Carolina.
Not a lot of brains in the operation there.

 

[Jersey Boys]

I think the board is significantly discounting the losses of Nova and Fridge in terms of play calling. At this point I have no confidence that our QB play will be nothing more than pedestrian. Defensively, our secondary depth his a huge concern.

I'm bullish on RU long term and hoping for 6+ wins this season. Obviously a 1 win prediction bruises the ego, and while I have little faith in the publication mentioned it's not out of the picture for us to win only 1 or 2 B1G games this year.

 

[Jersey Boys]

Zero shot?!?! Holy sh*t, why even bother. Zero shot against a team we beat last year - not even 20%? 10%? Get a grip.

Virginia Tech opens vs. Ohio State this season. What percent do you put an Ohio State loss at? I'd put it at zero point zero percent at this point. Granted, this is not quite a fair comparison but last years results are absolutely meaningless.

 

[Scarlet16E]

Of course we will have growing pains at QB, and we are plugging some holes on the O-line. At the same time our defense should be very good, and if the O-line can do just enough, we have a good stable of running backs (PJ, Hicks, Martin).

Playing solid defense and running the ball will hopefully give the QB time to settle in. Indiana is still a soft target. Maryland, PSU, and Michigan are still at a comparable level to our team. All 3 will be close games. Nebraska and Wisconsin both playing with first year coaches works in our favor as well.

I think we have a decent shot of matching last years record.

 

[vkj91]

I see 3-4

PSU, Mary and Indy. ZERO shot we beat Mich at Mich.

Why do we have zero shot?

 

[jorand]

But according to you Rutgers doesn't stand a chance because things like that never happened here. Tuary wasn't a starter, yet he had a big impact than anyone from both teams. That fact can't be overlooked. How about Hicks or Martin? Their impacted was huge after James went down. It works both ways. I think Rutgers is deeper with more experienced personnel.

I never mentioned one thing about Rutgers.

I just replied because he/she mentioned Maryland's personnel.

 

[Jersey Boys]

Of course we will have growing pains at QB, and we are plugging some holes on the O-line. At the same time our defense should be very good, and if the O-line can do just enough, we have a good stable of running backs (PJ, Hicks, Martin).

Playing solid defense and running the ball will hopefully give the QB time to settle in. Indiana is still a soft target. Maryland, PSU, and Michigan are still at a comparable level to our team. All 3 will be close games. Nebraska and Wisconsin both playing with first year coaches works in our favor as well.

I think we have a decent shot of matching last years record.

I respect your optimism, but I honestly think you are seeing this through Scarlet lenses. There is absolutely no evidence to show that we will be competitive vs. Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Losing a 4-year starter at QB with no clear starter in sight is a huge issue.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

I never mentioned one thing about Rutgers.

I just replied because he/she mentioned Maryland's personnel.

It appears you like Maryland a lot more than Rutgers and that's OK, but be upfront with it. This game us about match ups, personnel, and coaching. Right now Rutgers has the advantage based on what I said above and you can look it up. Show me where Maryland has the advantage over Rutgers.

Just because you said it doesn't make it true unless you back it up with real info.

 

[MozRU]

Why do we have zero shot?

Dopey isn't coaching there any more. On paper the talent disparity is vast. The Fridge is gone and was the MAJOR factor for our success last year. I don't think we have a chance to go in there and steal one. Just me.

 

[jorand]

It appears you like Maryland a lot more than Rutgers and that's OK, but be upfront with it. This game us about match ups, personnel, and coaching. Right now Rutgers has the advantage based on what I said above and you can look it up. Show me where Maryland has the advantage over Rutgers.

Just because you said it doesn't make it true unless you back it up with real info.

I'm a Maryland fan. That's no secret.

The poster made a comment about Maryland's personnel and I was offering my opinion. That's it.

I wasn't comparing the two teams.

 

[MADHAT1]

Dopey isn't coaching there any more. On paper the talent disparity is vast. The Fridge is gone and was the MAJOR factor for our success last year. I don't think we have a chance to go in there and steal one. Just me.

Always a chance, even if it is a slim one.
Michigan might not be ready for prime time under Jim Harbaugh this season and RU might play above everyone's expectations, like they did last year.
Michigan isn't one of the big boys (yet) and Rutgers might not be as bad as some might think.
Heck the personel replacing who left, might make RU stronger and deeper than last year's team.
Though because of RU having some DB concerns, at the moment, I won't claim RU is a better team now, just a team that might be better than some think they are.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

Always a chance, even if it is a slim one.
Michigan might not be ready for prime time under Jim Harbaugh this season and RU might play above everyone's expectations, like they did last year.
Michigan isn't one of the big boys (yet) and Rutgers might not be as bad as some might think.
Heck the personel replacing who left, might make RU stronger and deeper than last year's team.
Though because of RU having some DB concerns, at the moment, I won't claim RU is a better team now, just a team that might be better than some think they are.

I think the so called experts on here undervalue the talent of a lot of the second tier NJ recruits. The other problem is the name on the front of the jersey ain't what it use to be. Michigan isn't the same program from 20 years ago. Rutgers has shown in one season that it has a fighting chance to compete with most of the B1G.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

Below Indiana? Gee wiz

Agree with this completely. Their star RB is in the NFL now, and our three RBs are still with us. This season will be fun when we turn some heads, yet again.

 

[RURM85]

I respect your optimism, but I honestly think you are seeing this through Scarlet lenses. There is absolutely no evidence to show that we will be competitive vs. Nebraska and Wisconsin.

Losing a 4-year starter at QB with no clear starter in sight is a huge issue.

Road game at Camp Randall is tough sledding and I agree. Nebraska is a different story. Last year we lost by 18 points with a backup QB for the entire 2nd half and for all intent and purposes no run game (Peoples and Goodwin got 25 carries for almost nothing. 6 carries for Martin and nada for Hicks). Ameer was a monster, by far the best player on the field. 225 yards, 12 yards/carry and 3 TDs. Bell was their leading WR with 6 catches. Gregory gave our OL fits, at times we needed 3 OL players to block him. Yes, Armstrong is back and can use his legs to beat us. I really like Pierson-El's speed and Westerkamp's ability to catch every ball in sight. On defense Collins and Valentine are some big boys on the line. Without Ameer, Bell and Gregory, I'll take my chances in Piscataway. I think this has upset written all over it, especially with Nebraska's schedule the week before having to play Sparty at Lincoln in Prime Time. This is our upset special and we'll cut into the 18 points deficit of last season.

 

[shields]

Below Indiana is a joke. Coleman was great had over 200 yards vs. OSU.

 

[RU848789]

I see 3-4

PSU, Mary and Indy. ZERO shot we beat Mich at Mich.

Care to put money on it?

Moz - surely you know how ridiculous you sound to say we have zero chance to beat a team we beat last year. Yeah, I'll put money on it. Since you are 100% sure RU will lose to Michigan, then presumably that means you're willing to bet everything you have and more (even an infinite amount if you had it) even just to win a dollar. So, let's round infinite down to 1,000,000 to one. I'll gladly put up the dollar for a chance to win $1,000,000.

 

[klemman]

It's tough enough to predict wins in games the week of a game during the season, much less the wins when Fall camp hasn't even opened yet. We all know that, and those who produce the magazines know that.

So don't take such predictions too seriously, they are just in there to sell magazines and to take advantage of the hype and excitement that fans have waiting for the season to start.

 

[RUfromSoCal?]

I wish I could get actual action on a line like that!

I'm too lazy to look..... exactly who do they think we beat (especially if UI is 2-6)?

 

[Nosoj]

Other than OSU, every team is replacing a number of major contributors.

 

[nirrad]

Let them talk, they are not playing the games and we proved these same people wrong last year.

 

[rutger80]

One thing to remember as well, three of our opponents have changed head coaches: Michigan, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Those transitions are rarely smooth.