Having attended the Iowa game , I saw a Rutgers team that was every bit the competitive equal of Iowa. In fact I drove home thinking that for the first time since joining the league Rutgers looked like it belonged in the Big Ten. Granted much separates Rutgers from the elite programs of tOSU and Michigan. But I truly believe that the Rutgers team that played Iowa tough more closely represents the ability of this team. I also think we've seen the last of Laviano as starter and will soon welcome the dawn of a new era, the Odin era.
The Iowa game was no fluke
- Thread starter jonS
- Start date
Correct, we are a conference bottom feeder, but we are just as competitive as the other bottom feeders in the conference. We are not the worst team in the conference, that title just might go to Illinois. They are in horrific shape, both talent wise and coaching, Rutgers will win this game by two touchdowns.
We out rushed them and believe it or not, out passed Bethard their highly acclaimed QB and still lost. By the way don't forget Iowa just beat Minnesota on the road by the same score 14-7. Minnesota was a game I thought we could win early in the season, but with our personnel being so depleted, I would not count on it now unless someone steps up at Quarterback.
Yes, and If we had Grant for the 2nd half, I believe we would have won. Right now with our Offensive woes in the passing game, opposing Defenses just stack the box.
We will find out if Iowa was not a fluke soon
If it wasn't...we win 2 out of best 3 for sure
Hopeful but time wil tell
If it wasn't...we win 2 out of best 3 for sure
Hopeful but time wil tell
Kind of funny that the NJ HS kid goes out of state to ND and no one even knows who he is....LOL.
I think this is true. With Grant out, we are very one dimensional right now with the only area of strength offensively being the run up the gut with Robert Martin. But if you are a good defense (or even a mediocre one) and you know that we have one play that we can execute, you can stop that and totally shut down the offense. With no offense, the defense gets worn down, and you get what happened the last two weeks. Additionally, when we play Michigan and Ohio State, as it stands right now, of the 22 guys on the field at any given time, we may have 2 of the best 11 (just a guess), so not only are we easy to defend, but they have better players. We never stood a chance.
I agree, but we need to get some semblance of effectiveness from the QB position. Whoever starts doesn't have to throw for 300+ yards, but we need to be close to 7 yards per attempt, 55% completions
This team will IMO not win another game this season. Our only weapon on offense is gone along with our best defensive player. Zero depth overall.
The rebuilding job is on par with what Schiano faced in 2000. The UM game reminded me of the WVU 81-7 thrashing in 2001 (?).
The rebuilding job is on par with what Schiano faced in 2000. The UM game reminded me of the WVU 81-7 thrashing in 2001 (?).
Teams evolve and turn into as GS used to say "who we are"
That Iowa game has no bearing on how we play in the future.
Indiana had 400 yards and 21 first downs against Ohio St, do you think we can play with them?
That Iowa game has no bearing on how we play in the future.
Indiana had 400 yards and 21 first downs against Ohio St, do you think we can play with them?
I expect the defense to perform better in the games against Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota. The passing on offense is probably going to be the Achilles heel if the improvement is not significant in those games. Laviano cannot be the starter to win those games.
Iowa often starts off slowly under Ferentz and gets better as the season moves on.
This is not a great Iowa teeam, least seasons team was bogus also, beat Wiscosnin when the Badgers were playing 4 RS FROSH OL and one stepped on the QB's foot to cause a fumble when Badgers were going in for the win.
Problem with playing Iowa is that even if you beat them, the are so physically thick and strong, you often lose players and lsoe the next game.They are a very physical team every year.They look for strong, thick players and keep building them up.
I often bet against whomever they played the week before.
That used ot work with Wisconsin also but Gary Andersen went in a different direction and BAdgers aren't back to those physical standards just yet.
Regrettably you're right. Despite what some posters say, the only reason why Laviano starts is because the staff doesn't think anyone else is better. Sad state of affairs
The rest of the B1G (on our schedule) doesn't have a D nearly as good as either of those teams. Shit, they might have 2nd teams that are better than the rest, and 3rd teams better than some. No joke right now.
Total D B1G (our schedule...show what O's they've faced that we've faced):
Michigan - #1
OSU - #4
Iowa - 31st
MSU - 38th
Minny - 41st
Indiana - 48th (played OSU)
Penn St - 54th (played Michigan)
Illinois - 58th
...so we should be able to do better against all of these D's, based on Iowa, IF our OL can give our QB and receivers time while also opening some holes for our backs.
Here are the defensive S&P+ numbers from football outsiders which try to take into account strength of opponent in defensive ranking:
1. Michigan: 3.7
7. Ohio State: 13.9
10. Washington: 18.4
14. Penn State: 20.5
23. Iowa: 22.5
29. Minnesota: 23.8
30. Michigan State: 23.9
35. Indiana: 24.5
48. Maryland: 26.3
70. Illinois: 30.5
121. New Mexico: 39.5
N/A Howard
Basically it supports your position. Illinois is clearly a step down from Iowa but a step up from New Mexico.
Similar threads
Latest posts
-
“I Got Rutgers Into The Big 10…. 90 Days Later They Fired Me.”
- Latest: Christian0007
-
