Expectations for the first game?

[RUich]

I will assume there is nobody here who expects to lose this one, so the real question is what will make you feel that this team is good enough to make some waves in the BIG and get back to another bowl.

For me, I look at it as a two-game affair. I want to see the team totally dominate Norfolk St. in the first half. Even with the suspensions, we should be able to move the ball on offense pretty easily and really dominate them on defense. Norfolk St's last scrimmage had their return team score two TD's so I expect us to really take the ball down field on their kicks. If we are not ahead by at least three/four TD's at the half, I will be surprised to say the least.

The second half is for the rest of the bench players to get some reward/opportunities and get a lot of starters out of harms way. Flood will not want to run up the score beyond what is going to happen anyway.

 

[applesktrack]

I am hoping 28-35 points in the first half followed by all second string in the second half, and either a shut out or only one score.

 

[Knight Shift]

Here is an article from the NSU beat writer.
http://hamptonroads.com/2015/08/after-scrimmage-spartans-turn-thoughts-rutgers

My expectation is domination, and maybe give up 2 scores during garbage time.

 

[beaced]

I anticipate that we will play like a quality B1G team is expected to play.Flood will substitute generously to see how his reserves do.

 

[cRURah]

Total domination by RU and Rettig.

 

[derleider]

I will assume there is nobody here who expects to lose this one, so the real question is what will make you feel that this team is good enough to make some waves in the BIG and get back to another bowl.

For me, I look at it as a two-game affair. I want to see the team totally dominate Norfolk St. in the first half. Even with the suspensions, we should be able to move the ball on offense pretty easily and really dominate them on defense. Norfolk St's last scrimmage had their return team score two TD's so I expect us to really take the ball down field on their kicks. If we are not ahead by at least three/four TD's at the half, I will be surprised to say the least.

The second half is for the rest of the bench players to get some reward/opportunities and get a lot of starters out of harms way. Flood will not want to run up the score beyond what is going to happen anyway.

My expectation is that its going to be much closer than the fan base is comfortable with.

 

[zappaa]

Complete dominance.

 

[PatrickRU92]

I have said this a lot over the years: regardless of opponent(including IAA teams), generally speaking in the 1st game what you see is what you get for the season. With the notable exception of 2008, since we became a legit program I would challenge anyone to find a year in which the 1st game wasn't a reasonable representation of the season.

I want to see use just pound it down their throats and dominate the LOS with a heavy dose of our worthy stable of RB on offense. on defense I don't want to see their line get any push on us.

Of course I'm interested in seeing Reddig throw the ball too, but if we can dominate the LOS I don't see us throwing it more than 15-20 times all game.

And I won't panic if they score a couple of times in the 2nd half to make it "closer".

 

[mildone]

My expectation is that a 21 year old supermodel with looks similar to Olivia Wilde, that has low morals, no desire for children or marriage, and really bad taste in men will strike up a conversation with me during the tailgate, start to fall in love with me during the first half, then drag me to the observation area above the scoreboard to make the beast with two backs during halftime.

She'll join me back at our seats for the fourth quarter at which point she'll demonstrate a deep love for, and thorough knowledge of, college football before whisking me away in her Gulfstream to her family's 300 foot yacht in Monaco to meet her super kinky sisters with whom she shares everything.

I like to temper my expectations so as not to feel let down after the game.

 

[srru86]

I anticipate that we will play like a quality B1G team is expected to play.Flood will substitute generously to see how his reserves do.

Yes, I hope so.

 

[RUinPinehurst]

No major injuries during this practice session.

 

[Roy_Faulker]

Indeed

Glad to be past the days of looking at the ticker and seeing RU up by 3 at the half...

 

[jlariv9]

1. 0 points given up by the D
2. <60 NSU rushing yds
3. Rettig >2 passing TDs; >150 yds in 1st half
4. 2 blocked kicks
5. 1 kickoff return for TD
6. J Grant: no drops and is electric in space
7. 3 Turay sacks
8. >7 total sacks
9. >275 yds rushing
10. TEs utilized

 

[RUfromSoCal?]

I hope to see a bunch of gashing runs the first few series by the offense, capped by some play action passes for scores. Then, once NSU moves another player or two up to defend the run, I hope to see some deep balls in 1-on-1 coverage perfectly placed.

I expect 1 or 2 blocked kicks (FGs or punts).

NSU receivers have some size - so wouldn't be surprised if our DBs give up a couple deep balls and/or QB scrambles.

 

[derleider]

My expectation is that a 21 year old supermodel with looks similar to Olivia Wilde, that has low morals, no desire for children or marriage, and really bad taste in men will strike up a conversation with me during the tailgate, start to fall in love with me during the first half, then drag me to the observation area above the scoreboard to make the beast with two backs during halftime.

She'll join me back at our seats for the fourth quarter at which point she'll demonstrate a deep love for, and thorough knowledge of, college football before whisking me away in her Gulfstream to her family's 300 foot yacht in Monaco to meet her super kinky sisters with whom she shares everything.

I like to temper my expectations so as not to feel let down after the game.

Someone should work on getting the actual Olivia Wilde down for a game. She lives right up in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn.

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

Very limited playbook. 80% run plays + big play passing. Good third down conversion %.

Strong defense and special teams.

Win turnover battle by at least two.

 

[DJ Spanky]

I am hoping we see Laviano for the 2nd half, and that he gets to run several drives before we go into garbage time.

I am praying we come out of this unscathed. And there is a precedence: in 2006, we started the season already down 2 of the 4 WR's on the 2-deep. Then, in the Howard game, we lost Shawn Tucker for the season (and pretty much for his career) with a torn ACL. I do NOT want to see anything like that in this game.

Will be interesting to see how the running games performs with 3 new OL's.

I'll also be keeping a close eye on the long snapping, as I see that as a very weak link.

 

[RUBand]

Strong performance by the starting units (O line play big), smart play by young players, get many onto the field for experience.

 

[lastchance82]

I'll also be keeping a close eye on the long snapping, as I see that as a very weak link.

I kind of expect at least one errant long snap or blocked kick because of a bad snap. Wouldn't be surprised to see NSU run it back for a score, as it seems they have been practicing aggressive special teams.

 

[LevaosLectures]

The fourth quarter against Howard was a disaster last year. I hope the 2s play better this year.

 

[mildone]

Someone should work on getting the actual Olivia Wilde down for a game. She lives right up in the Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn.

I didn't realize that. I'm on it. :D

 

[miketd1]

1.) No injuries
2.) Backups in the 2nd protecting a comfortable lead.

 

[kapyoche]

This game scares me after what Howard did to us last year.

 

[RUTBAY]

My expectation is that a 21 year old supermodel with looks similar to Olivia Wilde, that has low morals, no desire for children or marriage, and really bad taste in men will strike up a conversation with me during the tailgate, start to fall in love with me during the first half, then drag me to the observation area above the scoreboard to make the beast with two backs during halftime.

She'll join me back at our seats for the fourth quarter at which point she'll demonstrate a deep love for, and thorough knowledge of, college football before whisking me away in her Gulfstream to her family's 300 foot yacht in Monaco to meet her super kinky sisters with whom she shares everything.

I like to temper my expectations so as not to feel let down after the game.

Holy cow! The same thing happened to me last year. Except it also included a bar in a limo fully stocked with 25 yo single malts.

 

[Ru2bnj]

I'm not that fixated on looking "dominant" in the first game. I would like to see them run the ball well, I remember that bad year RU had in ..2010 thye opened against NFSU and eventually won 31-0. However they had trouble running the ball and the OL had real problems with the Norfolk DL...it was a bad sign and all year they had OL problems. I look at the line of scrimmage play specifically. The offense and passing game is more timing and often the first game can be a little ragged. I want to see strong play up front by both the OL and DL.

 

[mildone]

So how did everyone's expectations work out?

I'm sad to say that mine didn't exactly work out as planned. No supermodel, no scoreboard sex, no football discussion w/aforementioned supermodel, no Gulfstream, no Yacht, no twins.

I did however only have to wait about 15 minutes in line, where I was the third person in line, to have scrumptious lukewarm mac and cheese that I really wasn't hungry for. So at least I had that going for me.