Can we beat Penn State??

[goethe14]

Plenty of info in this thread. The one question not getting asked is will Gio even make it to the PSU game. He barely made it through the last. He can't run the way he is or he will get killed. He was a marked improvement over Laviano. However now there is tape on him and yes teams will still stack the box. He completed passes but you don't have a deep threat against teams with a decent secondary. On another note I don't know how you can have any confidence in in your offensive coordinator or whoever decided who was the starting QB.

 

[mikemarc1]

Hello all, first time poster. PSU fan coming in peace. in terms of beating us this year, that will be a tall task. I say it with love in my heart, but RU's Linebackers are really not good, and Barkley is one of the most talented running backs in the country. Also I'm glad to see your QB play last game was tolerable, but I would caution labeling any quarterback anything based on one game.

Just for fun, here's two separate stat lines from Rutgers QB's over the last 2 years:

Player 1: 22/38 220 yds 3 td's 2 ints Rutgers lost the game

Player 2: 28/42 386 yds 3 td's 1 int Rutgers won the game


Which stat line would you rather have from a QB? BTW both of these stat lines came against big 10 opponents.

Answers are

Player 1- Gio last week
Player 2- Chris Laviano vs Indiana (2015)

I'm not making this observation to gloat or troll or anything like that, I've just been reading people anointing Gio as this new savior (as Al just did) when I remember talking to some RU buddies of mine a couple years ago who were campaigning that Laviano was a huge improvement to Gary Nova. I'd recommend seeing how the season plays out before crowning Gio as your savior who's going to beat PSU or any other Big 10 team for the moment. I know it's a dead horse subject but until donations rise and RU can improve it's facilities, it's going to be nearly impossible to compete in the Big 10 east. (I've been up to Piscataway for games many times, lived in Jersey City for work for about 5 years so i'm quite familiar with the RU campus and facilities)

All fair points.

Don't think many people EXPECT us to win. but why CAN'T we?

Any given Saturday....as your team showed this weekend...anyone can beat anyone.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

To be fair about Gio against minn

The game changed a lot when we stopped running when he was banged up

Think some offense stalls were diredlrt related to when we stopped the Qb keeper in the second half

Had he not gotten dinged...his stars look like 250 passing and 60-70 rushing

That's a pretty good game

 

[Scarlet Shack]

If we move the ball against penn state like we did against Minnesota we have a shot

 

[Jabanero]

I most closely follow rutgers in relation to penn state, but I can say with absolute certainty that in 2014 after Gary Nova threw 5 interceptions against PSU that leaving the stadium waiting in that GOD AWFUL line next to the bubble to catch the bus I heard RU fan after RU fan campaigning for Chris Laviano and how Gary Nova had just blown the hopes and dreams of that season. let's be honest, yes 8-4 was impressive but there wasn't a game on that schedule( including michigan) that you all wanted to win more than that game and the fans we heard all wanted Laviano to start the rest of the season

Why Flood didn't pull Nova that night is still beyond me..

 

[Kbee3]

We have no impact players so we can't beat anyone right now.

Exactly. And if you saw the Ohio St.-Pedd St. game you'd be wondering who exactly is gonna be blocking PSU's DE's. The Buckeyes sure couldn't.

 

[RUbacker]

You know what I think -- ABSOLUTELY!!!

What do YOU Think??

Mm no not this year.

 

[RU31trap]

In life anything can happen. I've seen thoroughbreds that were 67-1 win races, trotters that we're 99-1 win races. So ask yourself if Penn State is at even odds what would Rutgers be 10-1, 15-1, 30-1, 50-1?? You see what I mean, what would our odds be? I say about 15-1. Which means we have about a 7% chance of winning.

 

[mikemarc1]

Mm no not this year.

Why can't we? We each start out with 0 points, we each have to go 100 yards, we each have 11 players on for each play....hat advantage do they have that we CAN'T win?

Yes....they have talent. But OSU had more talent then PSU last week, and PSU won. so that's not a reason why we CAN'T win.

There is no reason we CAN'T win

 

[scarletcrew]

If they make mistakes, RU capitalizes on them and doesn't make mistakes, yep RU can win.
It would be great if after all they have been through this year, they put it all together for this game.

 

[redking]

Hello all, first time poster. PSU fan coming in peace. in terms of beating us this year, that will be a tall task. I say it with love in my heart, but RU's Linebackers are really not good, and Barkley is one of the most talented running backs in the country. Also I'm glad to see your QB play last game was tolerable, but I would caution labeling any quarterback anything based on one game.

Just for fun, here's two separate stat lines from Rutgers QB's over the last 2 years:

Player 1: 22/38 220 yds 3 td's 2 ints Rutgers lost the game

Player 2: 28/42 386 yds 3 td's 1 int Rutgers won the game


Which stat line would you rather have from a QB? BTW both of these stat lines came against big 10 opponents.

Answers are

Player 1- Gio last week
Player 2- Chris Laviano vs Indiana (2015)

I'm not making this observation to gloat or troll or anything like that, I've just been reading people anointing Gio as this new savior (as Al just did) when I remember talking to some RU buddies of mine a couple years ago who were campaigning that Laviano was a huge improvement to Gary Nova. I'd recommend seeing how the season plays out before crowning Gio as your savior who's going to beat PSU or any other Big 10 team for the moment. I know it's a dead horse subject but until donations rise and RU can improve it's facilities, it's going to be nearly impossible to compete in the Big 10 east. (I've been up to Piscataway for games many times, lived in Jersey City for work for about 5 years so i'm quite familiar with the RU campus and facilities)

Solid first post from a level head PSU poster. This deserves a fair response.

In your comparison, the 2015 Indiana game Laviano was throwing to Leonte Carroo, a 3rd round NFL draft pick. All 3 of Laviano's touchdowns went to Carroo. In 2016, Laviano is simply not as effective without Carroo. Furthermore, your comparison was of Gio's first career start after climbing the depth chart, versus Laviano's fifth career start getting reps all of 2015 as first team QB.

People are excited with Gio because he fits this offense and there are results on the field. Some RU fans think he's a savior, others are just happy with competent QB play. Regardless, Gio brings life to the offense and has the team more fired up than it was under Laviano. Right now, Gio as QB would give Penn State a better game than Laviano under QB.

 

[graystork]

I'm a PSU fan and yes, Saturday was special. Just like when RU beat Louisville however many years ago and the campus and Rutgers community was filled with pride, this week is similar for penn state. It's no secret that the program has experienced it's lowest lows the last few years and to see the team start to gel and play with teams like Ohio State is certainly encouraging. The true PSU fans and alum (not the idiot flamers on BWI who have never even stepped foot on that campus let alone graduate from that school) understand that it was going to be a rebuild, and as much flack as we knew other fan bases were throwing towards Franklin, we knew was ridiculous.

In conclusion, so what if we want to cheer for our squad and have a sense of pride after beating the #2 team in the country? Yea there was some unacceptable behavior on the students part but students are young and dumb, wasn't it at RU that girls were dousing themselves in red paint to look like blood because a speaker came to campus? THere's always people to overreact but by making posts like the one you just wrote, it was just filled with sour grapes.

Check back and see what happened to Rutgers the week after Louisville. Nits lose at least two more before the end of the year.

 

[ArminRU]

Of course. We will crush PSU. F Penn State.

 

[R1776U]

not a chance in hell.. we have no depth and key players are out

 

[jason21psu]

Check back and see what happened to Rutgers the week after Louisville. Nits lose at least two more before the end of the year.

The trap game factor for Purdue is huge after a win like this. Noon game, empty stadium. My hope is they see they legitimately have the opportunity to do something that's not been done around here in a long time. Double. Digit. Wins. Hopefully that goal holds their focus. It think it will.

 

[GSGS]

The good news is that if one employs the transitive theorem comparing the PSU and RU results vs. Minny, we have a chance.
The bad news is that if one employs the transitive theorem comparing the PSU and RU results vs. tOSU, we will get abused like a 10 year old boy in a Penn State locker room.

 

[Saint Puppy]

PSU was dominant on the D-Line against a formidable Ohio State line....anything can happen, but I think we are going to struggle mightily in this game.....only hope IMO is if they overlook us.

 

[wheezer]

If they make mistakes, RU capitalizes on them and doesn't make mistakes, yep RU can win.
It would be great if after all they have been through this year, they put it all together for this game.

-------
Minny was an 18 point favorite, and we lead in the game with about four minutes to go....

There were two Minnesota errors in the game that put us in position to win.... the pick six and the muffed punt late....

RU made its share of mistakes, but those by Minnesota were why we were right there.....

We need PU to have a sloppy game, even if they push us around most of the night.

 

[iReC89]

The team that beat #2 OSU was only up 3 at the half to 2-6 Kent State, and down 28-0 to Michigan at the half. I think PSU has the edge but there is no reason RU can't rally to its best and be in this game until the end. OSU did not look sharp visiting on Sat. PSU barely got away with a win on their last trip to Piscataway against a struggling QB. If RU can disrupt Brakley its a good game. I expect RU fans will create an electric environment and give RU a chance to steal one.

 

[jason21psu]

The team that beat #2 OSU was only up 3 at the half to 2-6 Kent State, and down 28-0 to Michigan at the half. I think PSU has the edge but there is no reason RU can't rally to its best and be in this game until the end. OSU did not look sharp visiting on Sat. PSU barely got away with a win on their last trip to Piscataway against a struggling QB. If RU can disrupt Brakley its a good game. I expect RU fans will create an electric environment and give RU a chance to steal one.

Stats say its highly unlikely. Playing a similar strength of schedule our S&P+ is 14.2 while yours is -13.5. Special teams heavily favors us as well. The difference in S&P+ between us and OSU was about 12 headed into last week. But we had similar special teams.

 

[RUJMM78]

Yes,Rutgers can defeat Penn State.The probability it happens this season,however, is slim.Rutgers will be at least a 3 touchdown underdog.PSU defense will stifle Rutgers offense resulting in turnovers ,excellent field position and Barkley running for more than 100 yards.

 

[Rutgers85]

The good news is that if one employs the transitive theorem comparing the PSU and RU results vs. Minny, we have a chance.
The bad news is that if one employs the transitive theorem comparing the PSU and RU results vs. tOSU, we will get abused like a 10 year old boy in a Penn State locker room.

Don't you know by now that there was no abuse? It was just some gentle innocent horseplay between a naked adult and a naked child. Happens all the time.

 

[cchavis]

Check back and see what happened to Rutgers the week after Louisville. Nits lose at least two more before the end of the year.

I'm well aware of what happened. I actually attended an RU game that year bc I was living a half hour away and kept hearing about this Ray Rice guy and wanted to see him for myself. The thing is, Purdue is REALLY bad.

If Psu was playing Iowa or Indiana or someone like that, I would definitely be concerned, but facts are a few weeks ago Purdue lost to Maryland 50-7. All Maryland did that game was run the read option because Purdue had no way to stop it... all Penn state runs is read option, I don't believe it will be 50-7 but Psu beats Purdue by 3 scores on saturday

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

Unless they lay a serious egg against us, there is little chance of beating them this year. Indiana is also really good this year as well.

We have a better chance of beating both Maryland and MSU this year.

 

[RURM85]

Unless they lay a serious egg against us, there is little chance of beating them this year. Indiana is also really good this year as well.

We have a better chance of beating both Maryland and MSU this year.

While Indiana's defense is much improved under Tom Allen, it's their offense that has struggled the last 3 weeks putting up points. The running game has not been good (getting Feeney back will help, although he played against Northwestern) and they have QB problems. Lagow is hot-cold streaky and there are times when he looks downright terrible, especially with turnovers. It's not the same Indiana offense we faced the previous 2 years. Out of the 4 remaining games, Penn State is clearly the best team we play.

 

[Howie'81]

Does a bear shit on Mars?

Only if it's a Martian bear.

 

[Howie'81]

Yeah, Al. We know what you think.
Pedd St. has a better offense, a better defense, and far better special teams. So...no...we can't beat them...or at least we shouldn't be able to do so.
BTW, one blocked field goal and the Pedd St. fans are acting like they just won the Super Bowl. My how times have changed. There was a time when a home victory over OSU wouldn't be cause for such celebration. How many cars were burned, cows tipped, and couches lit on fire out there on Saturday night anyway ? I guess it's been a long time.
And one more thing: if Pennsylvania high school football is so good how come all of the best players on Pedd St.'s roster are from New Jersey ?

Hmmm. I think that's a question that Rutgers and their fans should be asking.

 

[Howie'81]

That was one strange win when you look at the stats. Special teams was great.

As the saying goes, "Statistics are for losers." If you watched the game, you'd see that in the last 23 minutes, crunch time or winning time, whatever you want to call it, OSU was shut out (how's that stat?) and PSU's d-line was dominating OSU's o-line. That's what enabled PSU to come back and win it with some clutch runs and throws and some very good special teams' plays.

 

[miketd1]

About as likely as PSU beating OSU.

 

[iReC89]

Stats say its highly unlikely. Playing a similar strength of schedule our S&P+ is 14.2 while yours is -13.5. Special teams heavily favors us as well. The difference in S&P+ between us and OSU was about 12 headed into last week. But we had similar special teams.

We're closer then you think overall, but this is not a great matchup for RU. The gap in those stats may be misleading. We have one more top team on our early schedule, a new coach, new system, and no question its a new game with RU's offense now halfway through. Defense has improved also. Minnesota outcome was very similar with us on the road and a new QB. PSU should go in thinking they have nothing to worry about. RU could have some fun that night if they address some fixable issues.

 

[PSU_Nut]

. I expect RU fans will create an electric environment and give RU a chance to steal one.

Will it be a great atmosphere? If Rutgers drop the next two or it bad weather will the fans and student bail in mass? With the game being at night in mid November you know it going to be cold. There are over 2,000 tickets on stub hub and thousands more unsold through Rutgers I am not sure there going to be a great crowd.

 

[cchavis]

Will it be a great atmosphere? If Rutgers drop the next two or it bad weather will the fans and student bail in mass? With the game being at night in mid November you know it going to be cold. There are over 2,000 tickets on stub hub and thousands more unsold through Rutgers I am not sure there going to be a great crowd.

I'll be there... in my blue and white :)

 

[GOLDBANGER]

Can Rutgers beat Penn State? As many have observed here, that's why they play the game, to get the answer. No one knows until the final whistle blows. I was sitting next to a very nice Ohio State couple last Saturday and I said to them at half time "Look around, not very many of these people thought it would be this close". Having said that, our defense played out of their minds to keep us in the game. Do we have a let down? Quite possibly as youth and emotion sometimes trip you up.

There are quite a few great posters on this board and I enjoy reading it, and a small minority well..........

 

[iReC89]

Will it be a great atmosphere? If Rutgers drop the next two or it bad weather will the fans and student bail in mass? With the game being at night in mid November you know it going to be cold. There are over 2,000 tickets on stub hub and thousands more unsold through Rutgers I am not sure there going to be a great crowd.

Well, at $70 its the highest priced ticket left on your schedule.

 

[RU1977]

Go Purdue! Beat TTFP!

 

[polecat]

PSU will lose a couple more this year. They needed all the breaks to beat Ahia State.

 

[jason21psu]

We're closer then you think overall, but this is not a great matchup for RU. The gap in those stats may be misleading. We have one more top team on our early schedule, a new coach, new system, and no question its a new game with RU's offense now halfway through. Defense has improved also. Minnesota outcome was very similar with us on the road and a new QB. PSU should go in thinking they have nothing to worry about. RU could have some fun that night if they address some fixable issues.

I'm not saying it's impossible but an RU upset of PSU would statistically be a greater upset than our upset of OSU. The S&P+ stats are opponent adjusted.

 

[Cheesesteak Vegas]

PSU will lose a couple more this year. They needed all the breaks to beat Ahia State.

Yup. A blocked FG on our opening drive, a bad snap that cost us a safety, and OSU fumbles bounding back to Buckeyes instead of Nittany Lions. All the breaks!

As for your other point, of course PSU could lose 1-2 more games this season. It's still a very young team that is coming into its own, BUT PSU also had a 26% chance of winning out, according to the ESPN FPI.

Purdue: 83.7%
Iowa: 60.6%
Indiana: 71.5%
Rutgers: 88.9%
Michigan State: 82%

 

[PSU_Nut]

Yup. A blocked FG on our opening drive, a bad snap that cost us a safety, and OSU fumbles bounding back to Buckeyes instead of Nittany Lions. All the breaks!

As for your other point, of course PSU could lose 1-2 more games this season. It's still a very young team that is coming into its own, BUT PSU also had a 26% chance of winning out, according to the ESPN FPI.

Purdue: 83.7%
Iowa: 60.6%
Indiana: 71.5%
Rutgers: 88.9%
Michigan State: 82%

You also left out the muffed punt that Ohio State recovered.

 

[RCBeta79]

If we can play an error free game, yes we can beat Penn State at home.