Despite Score, Progress is Evident

[jmc11201]

So 30-0 Ohio State at the half, and I feel OK. Ohio State is talented, well coached, and executes almost flawlessly. This year was always going to be about improvement through the year, implementing a new system and culture, and redefining Rutgers football.

It is clear to me the following is much better:
Offensive Line: Physically holding up, opening up holes, and getting some push. Now...when a defense stacks the box against the run, which they have started to do against us due to our QB play, it becomes more difficult...but progress is there.

Defensively: So much better (despite the score). Last year, there would be massive gaps in the defense, big plays, and easy scores against. This year, we are fighting and scrapping every play and making the offense earn whatever they get.

Tackling: As the kids say 'OMG'. Open field tackles being made against very talented running backs and receivers. Again...so much better than last year.

We don't have the skill players on offense (except RBs) to pressure a defense. We need better wide receivers and obviously need a QB that pressures defenses with his arm and legs. Where we are struggling has more to do with talent than anything. I feel good about where we are heading when talent gets upgraded and when player skillsets fit our system.

 

[urbanecane]

The improvements in tackling and the secondary are remarkable. Very impressive. Something needs to happen on offense though.

 

[RUJMM78]

Scoring is the only stat that matters for measuring improvement on offense and defense.

 

[cRURah]

Scarlet colored glasses. LOL.

 

[RU848789]

OL is better, DL is better and secondary is better. LB are worse, skill players aren't as good (w/o Grant) and QB is worse. Coaching preparation and player conditioning is better, but gameday coaching is maybe a wash (still lots of mistakes, but it is a new staff). We need players, especially a QB.

 

[shields]

Need a damn QB!!

 

[ScarletCrimson]

Whatever it takes to make this season bearable...

 

[RUwoz]

"Despite literally the only statistic that matters"
SOLD!

 

[RutgersRaRa]

This year was a building year, and there is definite improvement on defense. It is obvious that our biggest issue is at QB. Neither Flood nor Schiano developed them, so Flood left Ash with nothing for his system. At least Oden is in now.

 

[cRURah]

Flood's teams were more competitive against OSU. So far, the offense hasn,'t scored and the defense hasn't forced a punt. And worst of all Ash = Flood on the QB.

 

[trsmith03]

I guess there are some areas of improvement - but of any real significance? In 3 years now playing the elite programs, I don't really see anything of significance that gives me hope that the gap is closing.

 

[SirPerceval]

You guys are on drugs

 

[ArminRU]

I guess there are some areas of improvement - but of any real significance? In 3 years now playing the elite programs, I don't really see anything of significance that gives me hope that the gap is closing.

Did you really expect to see a huge difference in score this year? If so, pass the bong.

The fundamentals are much improved, but there's a lot more to it.

 

[bac2therac]

did anyone expect to be competitive...the problem in games against top 20 schools is that the games become so out of hand so quickly, its hard to measure progress and the team gets frustrated and tries to do things they arent capable of.

 

[Debtbubble]

Delusional

 

[RuRahRah]

We're down 51-0 in the 3rd quarter! This is progress???

 

[Ridge 22]

Tackling is better. Other than that, this isn't the day to talk about improvement. We are getting our asses kicked up and down the field. 51-0 and nothing positive can be evident. Only bright side is that we don't have to see Laviano anymore today.

 

[shields]

Ohio State scored 45 points vs Oklahoma.

 

[Underdogs88]

Fundamentals are much better. We just lack talent.

 

[Debtbubble]

When do we get paid for this? 5 more years?

 

[RUnewjersey]

So 30-0 Ohio State at the half, and I feel OK. Ohio State is talented, well coached, and executes almost flawlessly. This year was always going to be about improvement through the year, implementing a new system and culture, and redefining Rutgers football.

It is clear to me the following is much better:
Offensive Line: Physically holding up, opening up holes, and getting some push. Now...when a defense stacks the box against the run, which they have started to do against us due to our QB play, it becomes more difficult...but progress is there.

Defensively: So much better (despite the score). Last year, there would be massive gaps in the defense, big plays, and easy scores against. This year, we are fighting and scrapping every play and making the offense earn whatever they get.

Tackling: As the kids say 'OMG'. Open field tackles being made against very talented running backs and receivers. Again...so much better than last year.

We don't have the skill players on offense (except RBs) to pressure a defense. We need better wide receivers and obviously need a QB that pressures defenses with his arm and legs. Where we are struggling has more to do with talent than anything. I feel good about where we are heading when talent gets upgraded and when player skillsets fit our system.

You can't be serious! OSU had 660 yards of offense. The final score marks the largest margin of victory in a shutout for OSU since 1980.

The Rutgers offense had a total of 116 yards.

Also upsetting, after all the talk about the new strength and conditioning program, we were worn down after one quarter. In the 4th quarter the 2nd string was pushing us all over the field.

Rutgers is years away from even being competitive.

 

[G- RUnit]

did anyone expect to be competitive...the problem in games against top 20 schools is that the games become so out of hand so quickly, its hard to measure progress and the team gets frustrated and tries to do things they arent capable of.

Is it too much to ask to beat 38 point spread? Perhaps progress but not today and can not say well coached today.

 

[Kentor404]

"The final score marks the largest margin of victory in a shutout for OSU since 1980."

Against a B1G opponent. They beat Pitt 72-0 in '96.

 

[LotusAggressor]

RU actually managed to score in the other games against Ohio State.

 

[RUskoolie]

Game was worse than I thought but I don't understand what people expect with this roster. If I said what I really thought about it I would be banned. To be nice we have to many guys who look like they belong at Monmouth.

 

[JQRU91]

You can't be serious! OSU had 660 yards of offense. The final score marks the largest margin of victory in a shutout for OSU since 1980.

The Rutgers offense had a total of 116 yards.

Also upsetting, after all the talk about the new strength and conditioning program, we were worn down after one quarter. In the 4th quarter the 2nd string was pushing us all over the field.

Rutgers is years away from even being competitive.

Other than the start of the game, the Rutgers offense really didn't move the ball much, and that left the defense out on the field far too long. Ohio State held a staggering 38:48 to 21:12 edge in time of possession.

 

[RU2055]

Flood's teams were more competitive against OSU. So far, the offense hasn,'t scored and the defense hasn't forced a punt. And worst of all Ash = Flood on the QB.

For most of the first half, definitely the first quarter, we were very competitive until Jones got hurt.

Flood's teams were never competitive in ANY quarter.

 

[waretown]

Scoring is the only stat that matters for measuring improvement on offense and defense.

100%

 

[trsmith03]

Did you really expect to see a huge difference in score this year? If so, pass the bong.

The fundamentals are much improved, but there's a lot more to it.

No, I didn't expect a huge difference. Never said it either. But you have to questions how "much improved" the fundamentals are when there's not even a slight change on the scoreboard. Fundamentals don't equate to more competitive football?

 

[G- RUnit]

Game was worse than I thought but I don't understand what people expect with this roster. If I said what I really thought about it I would be banned. To be nice we have to many guys who look like they belong at Monmouth.

Was hoping that we would not get two illegal formations on punts? That's so not improvement. 12 men on field when we finally get a sack? Giving OSU a time out before the half. OC game calling?

 

[RUskoolie]

Was hoping that we would not get two illegal formations on punts? That's so not improvement. 12 men on field when we finally get a sack? Giving OSU a time out before the half. OC game calling?

You are way too stupid to have a football discussion with on this board. Sorry.

 

[ScarletCrimson]

I have to say, despite the score- the team seemed much less tentative than the first trip to the 'Shoe. Everyone just seemed super skittish that first game.

 

[ArminRU]

Was hoping that we would not get two illegal formations on punts? That's so not improvement. 12 men on field when we finally get a sack? Giving OSU a time out before the half. OC game calling?

Wow you are really trying to use those penalties to support your argument and it's not working.

 

[rufeelinit]

Its very hard to make a case about continued progress after today's result. Yes OSU is very good but we weren't really competitive and offensively we are just inept.

 

[G- RUnit]

Wow you are really trying to use those penalties to support your argument and it's not working.

I was being kind. ESPN praising Schiano.

 

[Roy_Faulker]

For me it didn't look like our players were manhandled like they were in the past 2 years. First trip to the shoe I was amazed at how physically dominant OSU was compared to our guys. While there is still a talent gap the RU players weren't necessarily beaten up.

 

[TheHandOfChaos]

We gave up almost 700 yards and completed 3 of 16 passes for 33 yards in a full game. I dont care if we were playing the Giants. You guys talking about progress are on crack.

 

[D1ESEL44]

You can't be serious! OSU had 660 yards of offense. The final score marks the largest margin of victory in a shutout for OSU since 1980.

The Rutgers offense had a total of 116 yards.

Also upsetting, after all the talk about the new strength and conditioning program, we were worn down after one quarter. In the 4th quarter the 2nd string was pushing us all over the field.

Rutgers is years away from even being competitive.

In the 4th quarter it was their 2s vs. our 2s. There were only a handful of starters in the game at that point for RU. The front 7 for RU on D in the 4th quarter was all of the backups.

 

[mildone]

You guys are on drugs

So? What's your point? :)

 

[mildone]

In the 4th quarter it was their 2s vs. our 2s. There were only a handful of starters in the game at that point for RU. The front 7 for RU on D in the 4th quarter was all of the backups.

They were cycling a lot more players all game long, which is no surprise given that they, like almost all true national championship contenders, have tremendous depth at most or all positions. We don't have that luxury.

So in the fourth quarter, I think we were probably seeing more like the 3s and some 4s at some positions for OSU vs. our 2s and some 3s.

And we still couldn't move the ball on offense or stop them on defense. The good news is Oden got some quality reps today which will help him grow. And he didn't get hurt despite a couple nasty hits (including the late hit penalty).

The bad, although completely unsurprising news, is that Oden also wasn't the second coming of [insert name of best QB ever] that so many of our starting QB haters were hoping for.