Rutgers Opens at -5.5 vs WSU
- Thread starter Veiox
- Start date
I am B1G guy, but my son is on the USC team, so I follow the PAC 12 closely. Five of his teammates from his high school team play for WSU. I watched the Cougars' game against Portland State. They simply wanted the win more than WSU. I think you guys win.
Good luck.
I'm cautiously optimistic that we win the game. Playing at home will definitely help. We really don't want another blowout or a nail biter, instead I hope for an injury free victory via tough game. I'm big on momentum and that's what we need going into the PSU game.
I think people are forgetting that these kids got thrown into the fire. 2 of them went from thinking they might play in packages to having prominent roles. They settled down as the day went on and hopefully a full week together will help. Let's be honest, WSU is going to get their yards regardless of who is back there. We need to eliminate the quick score and keep things in front of us while we ram the ball down their throats.
Speak for yourself on the blowout part. I hope we are up 21 at the half, 30 going to the 4th, and see our best guys watching the 4th from the sidelines, cheering on their teammates.
I don't really expect that, but I want it.
I'm not bagging on them. I realize they are new, I'm just saying it in the context of this game. There were multiple times where an assignment was blown so bad that the WR looked like an outfielder. The only reason it wasn't as bad in the second half was because we controlled the ball and the d-line was getting to the qb better. If they don't clean that up they will score a lot more than Norfolk.
I just wish it was a noon start. If so then I think it helps more. I seem to remember a lengthy thread last year about cross country trips and how it helps and hurts one way or another depending on the time of kick off.
If this kicks off early then those WSU boys are up even earlier...
If this kicks off early then those WSU boys are up even earlier...
If this is our plan, we will lose. You win by controlling the ball when you have a great defense, so you dont have to worry all that much about scoring or field position. 2006 and 2012.
Until the secondary shows its not complete junk, our game plan had better be score as often as possible.
And I fully expect the d-line to get to WSU's quarterback better and RU to control the ball with our running game.That's why I think we should win. But let's not forget that we have had trouble in our secondary long before those guys got into trouble with the law. Any team with a competent qb had success against us in their passing game. We haven't had quality corners since Logan Ryan left. What we DID have....and need Saturday....is a serious pass rush....and, of course, a running game that can keep their offense on the sidelines.
My surprise at the line isn't based on bravado, it's based on 1) Us occasionally being able to stop the pass and forcing an occasional punt, 2) Wazzu having an injured QB playing, 3) Wazzu not being able to stop the run, and 4) Them traveling 3,000 miles to play in our stadium.
So even if the bettors are saying that both defenses blow, they are still thinking that on a neutral field Wazzu is about a TD better than us. They might be, but based on the first week's play I'm not sure what they're looking at to justify that.
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I would say that scoring as methodically as possible is also a legit strategy. If we can control the flow of the game with our RBs eating up yardage and the clock, it can help keep a pass-happy offense, which relies on rhythm, out of sync and off the field. It goes without saying that we want to score, but you need a game plan for that and the key is to strategize so you are in the best position to score more than the other guys.
Thanks for stopping by, and congratulations on your son going to a good school and making the team. It's gotta be pretty cool for a dad to be in that position.
Thank you. Yes, it is pretty amazing. Interestingly, I tried contacting the Indiana (my school) coaches regarding him since he grew up an IU fan and they never responded. Yet, USC was interested...I guess that help explains why Indiana is such a long-standing joke in football.
Good luck against Wazzou.
The biggest improvements in play every year are between the first and second game. Our DBs will look much better and get 2 picks.
