Rutgers beats Ohio State if...

[JMORC2003]

Actually had a dream about this last night... Tied 24-24 with a few seconds left, Federico kicks another game winner and the fans charge the field. Don't know how the game got to that point, but it was Pandemonium in Piscataway all over again.

Write it down.

 

[NickKnight 1]

We will win if the moon turns blue during this night game.

 

[beaced]

Just for fun.. list a few of the factors that would be REQUIRED for the biggest upset in school history. I'll start:

1) 3 TD receptions to Caroo
2) 3-4 OSU turnovers
3) DLine plays game of their lives
4) Few breaks on penalties.
5) OSU not clicking on all cylinders

6)The Sun rises in the West on Game Day.

 

[beaced]

Generic obvious stuff Jerry, how do you do that…magic?
V Tech beat them by putting eight defenders in the box and OSU did not have enough players to block them…you have to play man to man everywhere in the secondary and give the QB 1.5 seconds to throw.
I saw the OSU special on BTN…lol

That could work.The question is will JR dial this up.He didn't use the Temple Blueprint so we will have to wait and see what he comes up with.

 

[joshk ru03]

Stomach bugs or flu for the entire OSU team... maybe a mass suspension

 

[Nosoj]

How are Rutgers special teams?

Rutgers needs to commit to the run game. It worked for Indiana, Maryland and Penn State. There's something broken right now in the OSU run defense and it probably won't be fixed this week. Joshua Perry missed all but the first few plays of the PSU game with a sprained ankle. I haven't seen anything about Perry this week, but he'll probably be less than 100% if he plays. Add on top of that Tommy Schutt will miss the game this week with a broken wrist and there's a weakness there that Rutgers will need to exploit.

Now, that being said, Penn State had a back go for 194 and only scored 10 points. Why? Because they were buried in their end of the field all night because they were destroyed in the special teams game. Ohio States punt team and kick coverage teams are among the best in the country. Penn State consistently shanked punts all night and it lead to a disastrous field position disadvantage (starting on their on 14 vs. Ohio State starting on their own 40).

If Rutgers can win or equal the special teams battle, that will be a huge boost to their chances of winning.

 

[ru66]

maybe no carroo, no grant, two more db's questionable--winning or even losing close will be improbable

 

[jmc11201]

I could see OSU coming out flat or disinterested against a very pumped up Rutgers squad and the game being close for a half. The problem is OSU can "wake up", turn it on and hang 30 points on us in the second half and still win going away.

So the only way I see us winning is if after coming out flat, they THEN proceed to make multiple critical mistakes: several turnovers, a special teams gaffe or two, unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a crucial play, a stalled drive and missed short field goal. This would delay the inevitable onslaught and push the game into the 4th quarter and then who knows...

Obviously the scenario above is an extreme longshot, but that's the only way I see it even entering the realm of possibility.

I think a noon game would make Ohio State more disinterested. A night game, even as the visiting team, is somewhat more energized and I think that is likely to carry over to them as well. At noon, the game feels much more 'small time' and could lull them to sleep.

 

[TheodoreGinnJr]

I could see OSU coming out flat or disinterested against a very pumped up Rutgers squad and the game being close for a half. The problem is OSU can "wake up", turn it on and hang 30 points on us in the second half and still win going away.

So the only way I see us winning is if after coming out flat, they THEN proceed to make multiple critical mistakes: several turnovers, a special teams gaffe or two, unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a crucial play, a stalled drive and missed short field goal. This would delay the inevitable onslaught and push the game into the 4th quarter and then who knows...

Obviously the scenario above is an extreme longshot, but that's the only way I see it even entering the realm of possibility.

This is essentially EXACTLY how the Indiana-Ohio State game played out. So you've got the formula right. Unfortunately for Indiana, they still couldn't pull out the victory.

 

[Caliknight]

Stomach bugs or flu for the entire OSU team... maybe a mass suspension

The world ending is more likely than that last bit happening.

 

[TheodoreGinnJr]

How are Rutgers special teams?

Rutgers needs to commit to the run game. It worked for Indiana, Maryland and Penn State. There's something broken right now in the OSU run defense and it probably won't be fixed this week.

I agree with you but does Rutgers have a Saquon Barkley? And can Laviano run? If so, that's the ticket. The only RB to do anything against Ohio State was Barkley. Indiana and Maryland picked up big chunks with their QB running the ball, but their actual RB's were shut down.

If I'm Rutgers I'd try to run right at Ohio State as much as possible and then take some random shots down field, mixed in with some mis-direction screen plays. Coming out and trying to throw the ball 40 times will result in disaster for R. The OSU pass rush will feast and the secondary is very stout.

 

[knight82]

We win only if they play their worst game, we play mistake free, and a lot of fluky things happen. Toe to toe we have no shot.

 

[MADHAT1]

I get what he's saying. Winning isn't the most important thing about this game. We're underdogs...everyone knows it. If we have a good showing on the field and in the stands, that's a positive. If we are somehow able to knock them off....well, that's icing on the cake.

I can understand someone thinking blowout and not wanting to see that, but I can't get excited over any loss even if RU looks good doing that. I'm disappointed when RU loses any game, even the ones they are big underdogs .
In my opinion vkj91 didn't mean he'd be happy losing, just happy not to see RU get blown out
and play a competitive game.

 

[Nosoj]

I agree with you but does Rutgers have a Saquon Barkley? And can Laviano run? If so, that's the ticket. The only RB to do anything against Ohio State was Barkley. Indiana and Maryland picked up big chunks with their QB running the ball, but their actual RB's were shut down.

If I'm Rutgers I'd try to run right at Ohio State as much as possible and then take some random shots down field, mixed in with some mis-direction screen plays. Coming out and trying to throw the ball 40 times will result in disaster for R. The OSU pass rush will feast and the secondary is very stout.

Good questions, I'll have to defer to Rutgers fans on those. I'd say "no" to the first question, not because I think the Rutgers backs are bad, but because I think Barkley could be something really special.

I would do the exact same thing. Run right at the defense, mix in play action shots downfield and definitely some backside screens or throwbacks that this defense has struggled with. Don't get into obvious passing downs and don't abandon the run to start chucking it on every play, even if they get behind.

 

[RUScrew85]

Rutgers wins if all of the above happens and all of page 1 happens too.

 

[MADHAT1]

We will win if the moon turns blue during this night game.

 

[imbazza]

osu is playing down to competition. Rutgers should be no exception as Indiana almost won but lost Sudfeld before he could seal the deal. So we do the same thing except our QB get hurt and unlike Indiana we have a 4 star waiting his chance in the wings. So Hayden's entire family get to see him win the day out in California on National TV..

 

[knight82]

That scenario would be hilarious. Laviano leaves with a minor injury. Rettig comes in and engineers the biggest upset in school history. Then next week, Flood starts Laviano again!

 

[RUBOB72]

I get what he's saying. Winning isn't the most important thing about this game. We're underdogs...everyone knows it. If we have a good showing on the field and in the stands, that's a positive. If we are somehow able to knock them off....well, that's icing on the cake.

The team needs to BELIEVE they can beat Ohio State... they must play with a toughness and a chip on their shoulders like against Michigan State and Indiana....one day Rutgers will pull off the upset nobody watching college football expects...is this the game?...only the Almighty knows when and even that I'm not sure of... but the team needs to BELIEVE it first...it's not what any of us can control ...but it all happen soon.

 

[Nosoj]

osu is playing down to competition. Rutgers should be no exception as Indiana almost won but lost Sudfeld before he could seal the deal. So we do the same thing except our QB get hurt and unlike Indiana we have a 4 star waiting his chance in the wings. So Hayden's entire family get to see him win the day out in California on National TV..

Diamont lead Indiana to 17 of their 27 points. I don't remember exactly when he got hurt vs. when he left the game, but there's nothing saying that Sudfeld would have been better for the team the rest of the way. Sudfeld wasn't going 75 yards on an option keeper, healthy or not.

 

[TheodoreGinnJr]

Diamont lead Indiana to 17 of their 27 points. I don't remember exactly when he got hurt vs. when he left the game, but there's nothing saying that Sudfield would have been better for the team the rest of the way. Sudfield wasn't going 75 yards on an option keeper, healthy or not.

Yep. Diamont's legs were what hurt Ohio State in that game. Immobile QBs like Brewer, Sudfeld, and Hackenburg have ended up limping or on the sidelines by the 3rd quarter against OSU all year. It's not bad luck, it's a relentless defensive line.

 

[LC-88]

If we are somehow able to knock them off....well, that's icing on the cake.

More like a life time supply of cake icing.

 

[brgossRU90]

Unless our team plays beyond lights out it would take a lot of ohio state turnovers plus a very, very, very playing over their heads performance. It's not astronomically unlikely. Upsets happen all the time in sports. However ohio state seems to be working out their struggles on offense which does not bode well for us. Upsetting them would've been a lot easier 2 or 3 weeks ago.

 

[Scarlet5]

Don't over think it, we need 3 perhaps obvious things:

1. Ohio State must play less than their best game
2. We must win turnover battle, AND, must score on at least one
3. Must stay close into the 4th quarter…can't fall behind by 14-17+

If we get these three, the stadium will be absolutely rocking in the 4th quarter, and, I believe, we then win.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

We drug their water supply.

 

[ImBadRU]

RUN THE BALL SUCCESSFULLY....ONLY CHANCE.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

RUN THE BALL SUCCESSFULLY....ONLY CHANCE.

Even IF we do...and they don't have a great run D (only 60th)....we still have to stop their O which, unfortunately, is a daunting task for our D. We would have to run the ball well, not have any TO's, have GREAT ST's play and hope that, somehow, they turn the ball over, a lot, to keep it tight IMHO.

 

[NorthernKnight]

I get what he's saying. Winning isn't the most important thing about this game. We're underdogs...everyone knows it. If we have a good showing on the field and in the stands, that's a positive. If we are somehow able to knock them off....well, that's icing on the cake.

food poisoning or the flu strikes their whole team

 

[NorthernKnight]

maybe no carroo, no grant, two more db's questionable--winning or even losing close will be improbable

they'll all be playing...

 

[Scarlet Shack]

A few things come to mind....

1.) We must NOT give up big play TDs. If they have 3 LONG TD plays...we are in trouble. Got to make them drive.
2.) We cannot lose the turnover battle and win this game.
3.) we need the crowd to bring it. Needs to be much better than Michigan State game...which, IMO, outside of the student section who brought there A game, was just good not great
4.) We would like to keep this a shorter game. Think Navy. !0 possesions each and 120 snaps total. If this is a 160 snap count game that goes to a big OSU advantage
5.) We must FIND a running game to do number 4
6.) STAY loose. CHOP and FOCUS ON THE MOMENT, but LET it all hang out
7.) :Last, I say play defense like we did against Michigan State. Bring it.I would rather lose by making us win through the air than having them bully us at the LOS and 250-300 yards on the ground. Make them pass to beat us
8.) Tackle and wrap. Tackle and wrap. and wrap them up

 

[NickKnight 1]

View embedded media

Nice!

 

[RUinPAC10land]

If the NY Giants show up wearing RU uniforms.

 

[shields]

Leonte has to play, or we are not scoring that many points.

 

[RoadCrewPT]

We score a touchdown on every drive and our defense stops them on one or two.

 

[NickKnight 1]

If the NY Giants show up wearing RU uniforms.

NO, if the Eagles show up and wear RU uniforms. Sad To say:cry:

 

[zappaa]

The team needs to BELIEVE they can beat Ohio State... they must play with a toughness and a chip on their shoulders like against Michigan State and Indiana....one day Rutgers will pull off the upset nobody watching college football expects...is this the game?...only the Almighty knows when and even that I'm not sure of... but the team needs to BELIEVE it first...it's not what any of us can control ...but it all happen soon.

There is no way our team doesn't think they can win Bob, no way.
Reading blogs, news papers, message boards or watching analysts doesn't make them feel any different.
They're not insulated, they know the odds, but they still feel like they can win...coaches on the other hand will talk a good game, but they probably feel a bit more like this board deep down

 

[yesrutgers01]

We win this game only if the coaches get smart and start Rettig, Rocket and Shuler. Can we hire Greg before Sat night?

 

[zappaa]

We win this game only if the coaches get smart and start Rettig, Rocket and Shuler. Can we hire Greg before Sat night?

You and vk are the kings of subtle criticism of our fans.

 

[B0ski]

Th

You and vk are the kings of subtle criticism of our fans.

yep, the two biggest know it alls on the board

 

[zappaa]

Both Yes and VK are great fans and supporters, that's not even remotely in question...IMO
But they do what they do.