At the outset, the Minnesota Game looks like a Wisconsin style beatdown. They play really tough defense, and are within the Top 10 in Scoring Defense. They are very tough against the pass. Their quarterback, Max Brosmer, sports a phenomenal 68.2% passing completion %, mostly to Darrell Jackson, the Big Tens leading returning receiver, and their leading rusher Darius Taylor, is capable of dropping 150+ rushing yards on the opposing team. They’ve beaten USC and UCLA, among others, and lost tough games to Michigan, Iowa, and North Carolina to go 6-3, thus far. With remaining games against Penn State and Wisconsin, they are looking at this game as the most winnable of the remaining games. For Rutgers, Minnesota is the least winnable of the remaining games.
Nevertheless, Rutgers must find away, because even though these are the toughest days of the season, and we are significantly banged up, we are quickly running out of opportunities, to go bowling. Somehow, some way, we’ve got to win 2 additional games to maintain the perception of progress. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to maintain the recruiting success we saw with last years class.
Thankfully, there’s enough talent to take down Minnesota. It all starts with #5 Kyle Monangai, who has Heisman level talent, but saw significantly diminished production after Left Guard, Brian Felter went down. Taj White replaced him, and is doing his best, while he acclimates to this level of play. Was happy to meet his parents at the LAX baggage claim, and told them to tell him to “Just Keep Chopping!” Overall he’s done a good job, considering the circumstances. Getting back to Kyle, we need him to be “Big Game Kyle”, and for him to put up 150-200 rushing yards against Minnesota. Though he was beaten up against USC, it’s expected he will play vs Minnesota. Incidentally, Iowas Kaleb Johnson rushed for 206 yards, against Minnesota so Rutgers must use the same template.
We will need QB Athan Kaliakmanis, to have a big game as well. Overall he played well against USC, but did miss a number of TD throws. We need him to throw for 300+ yards and better than a 60% completion %. Hopefully since he knows Minnesota’s personnel well, it will help.
Athans favorite target has been Dymere Miller, who had 11 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown vs USC. We’ll need 100+ receiving yards from him Saturday. Korey Duff and Ben Black will complement his efforts. The trio have made it tough for anyone else to see time, and have significantly strengthened the effectiveness of the WR Corp. though Dremel and Long might get a few opportunities.
While the offense looks ready to continue progressing, the defense has struggled terribly, as of late. We went from having two NFL ready DEs and two NFL ready LBers to kids who are struggling, while they learn the ropes. Outstanding LB Tyreem Powell has played some, but his effectiveness has been significantly diminished by injury. We also have a freshman seeing significant time in the secondary, who struggled against USC. So the opposing offenses in the last two games scored at will, and Rutgers gave up 42 points to USC and 35 points to UCLA. We have to get much better in our reads, run fits, and tackling. Maybe it’s time to play the freshman linebackers. Based on what I’ve observed thus far, we don’t have anything to lose. Washington beat USC thanks to the efforts of their outstanding senior LB Carson Bruener and true freshman LB, Kamari House. Hope one of our freshman can have a similar impact.
The season is at the crossroads and we must finish strong. Beat Minnesota, and we are a lock to go bowling. Let’s get it!
Nevertheless, Rutgers must find away, because even though these are the toughest days of the season, and we are significantly banged up, we are quickly running out of opportunities, to go bowling. Somehow, some way, we’ve got to win 2 additional games to maintain the perception of progress. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to maintain the recruiting success we saw with last years class.
Thankfully, there’s enough talent to take down Minnesota. It all starts with #5 Kyle Monangai, who has Heisman level talent, but saw significantly diminished production after Left Guard, Brian Felter went down. Taj White replaced him, and is doing his best, while he acclimates to this level of play. Was happy to meet his parents at the LAX baggage claim, and told them to tell him to “Just Keep Chopping!” Overall he’s done a good job, considering the circumstances. Getting back to Kyle, we need him to be “Big Game Kyle”, and for him to put up 150-200 rushing yards against Minnesota. Though he was beaten up against USC, it’s expected he will play vs Minnesota. Incidentally, Iowas Kaleb Johnson rushed for 206 yards, against Minnesota so Rutgers must use the same template.
We will need QB Athan Kaliakmanis, to have a big game as well. Overall he played well against USC, but did miss a number of TD throws. We need him to throw for 300+ yards and better than a 60% completion %. Hopefully since he knows Minnesota’s personnel well, it will help.
Athans favorite target has been Dymere Miller, who had 11 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown vs USC. We’ll need 100+ receiving yards from him Saturday. Korey Duff and Ben Black will complement his efforts. The trio have made it tough for anyone else to see time, and have significantly strengthened the effectiveness of the WR Corp. though Dremel and Long might get a few opportunities.
While the offense looks ready to continue progressing, the defense has struggled terribly, as of late. We went from having two NFL ready DEs and two NFL ready LBers to kids who are struggling, while they learn the ropes. Outstanding LB Tyreem Powell has played some, but his effectiveness has been significantly diminished by injury. We also have a freshman seeing significant time in the secondary, who struggled against USC. So the opposing offenses in the last two games scored at will, and Rutgers gave up 42 points to USC and 35 points to UCLA. We have to get much better in our reads, run fits, and tackling. Maybe it’s time to play the freshman linebackers. Based on what I’ve observed thus far, we don’t have anything to lose. Washington beat USC thanks to the efforts of their outstanding senior LB Carson Bruener and true freshman LB, Kamari House. Hope one of our freshman can have a similar impact.
The season is at the crossroads and we must finish strong. Beat Minnesota, and we are a lock to go bowling. Let’s get it!
