The rest of the way...

[RUich]

with close to the mid-point of the season, the remaining teams on our schedule are all pretty much looking doable. None are still without at least one loss and no better than 1-1 in conference.
Yes, I know you still have to look at their overall schedule strength, but ours isn't too shabby either! This week at Nebraska will be truly telling. Interestingly, those same words were said for our last two games.
Since the pros have no problem projecting into the future, I will too!
*I see us clearly looking better than UCLA and Minnesota. Maryland looks a bit shaky also. All 3 are already 0-2 in conference. Maybe brings us to either 6 or 7 wins.
*Wisconsin and MSU look tougher, so I will say we take out Wisky at home and lose to MSU. One more win.
*Obviously, the remaining 3 teams appear to be our toughest hurdles. 2 on the road makes them even tougher. I think we win one of these games. 1 more win.
Like quite a few pre-season projections, it looks like we end up with 8 to 9 wins. With some of the kind of luck we have seen recently, maybe even better.

 

[Crazed_RU]

In order to be bowl eligible the worst we wanted was 3-1 out of the first 4, so I say we are slightly ahead of pace but could easily hit a hiccup on one of these close games.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

Anything below 8-4 would feel like a huge letdown after the 4-0 start. Even 8-4 likely would feel like we left money on the table at this point. I want 9+ wins and think it is realistic. ESPN predictor has us likely to win all except Nebraska, USC, and Maryland.

 

[mdk01]

I see one very likely win (UCLA) and one probable loss (USC). The rest? To be decided.

 

[Scarlet16E]

Our B1G revenge tour began on Friday (yes I know Washington wasn’t in the B1G when they beat us twice, but I’m going with it). Next up we take down Nebraska for the first time. I believe that both VT and Washington would beat Nebraska, so that’s that.
After that time to finally knockoff those Badgers, who are very beatable.
6-0 going into the USC game.
Magiq can happen when a team is brimming with confidence.

 

[RUich]

I am still not really happy with our defense giving up so many yards. Not like a GS team. If it continues, I think we will find ourselves in too deep a hole to recover from. We need to see more pressure (sacks) by the D.
Our ability to actually throw a pass that a receiver can catch is a real plus for our plan to run the ball a lot.

 

[RUforester72]

This week at Nebraska will be truly telling. Interestingly, those same words were said for our last two games.

I agree, and I believe we will be repeating this for the rest of the season!

 

[fluoxetine]

We aren't close to the midpoint. We've played 1/3 of the total games (less than that since we will hopefully play at least 13) and only 20% of the games (or less, see previous) against teams that should be competitive with us.

 

[ru-baby]

Wisky showed SC is beatable. Moss has overachieved and w right disguised blitzes, well...

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

with close to the mid-point of the season, the remaining teams on our schedule are all pretty much looking doable. None are still without at least one loss and no better than 1-1 in conference.
Yes, I know you still have to look at their overall schedule strength, but ours isn't too shabby either! This week at Nebraska will be truly telling. Interestingly, those same words were said for our last two games.
Since the pros have no problem projecting into the future, I will too!
*I see us clearly looking better than UCLA and Minnesota. Maryland looks a bit shaky also. All 3 are already 0-2 in conference. Maybe brings us to either 6 or 7 wins.
*Wisconsin and MSU look tougher, so I will say we take out Wisky at home and lose to MSU. One more win.
*Obviously, the remaining 3 teams appear to be our toughest hurdles. 2 on the road makes them even tougher. I think we win one of these games. 1 more win.
Like quite a few pre-season projections, it looks like we end up with 8 to 9 wins. With some of the kind of luck we have seen recently, maybe even better.

If anyone asked me before the season started, I would taken eight wins with zero questions asked.

But I’m feeling good about this season. Let’s roll the dice, baby!

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

We aren't close to the midpoint. We've played 1/3 of the total games (less than that since we will hopefully play at least 13) and only 20% of the games (or less, see previous) against teams that should be competitive with us.

Agreed, although I think most RU fans would have guessed we would be 3-1 at this point. We’re currently playing with house money.

 

[RUbacker]

If anyone asked me before the season started, I would taken eight wins with zero questions asked.

But I’m feeling good about this season. Let’s roll the dice, baby!

just need our players to improve fast. we have to get out of our slight defensive funk.

 

[Cornicator]

I believe that both VT and Washington would beat Nebraska, so that’s that.

I think a common mistake made by college football fans occurs when we talk about opponents, and how they might fare against your next opponent. Rutgers isn't playing Colorado or Illinois or Purdue this weekend. And Nebraska isn't playing Washington or Virginia Tech.

The only thing that matters is how Rutgers matches up vs. Nebraska and how Nebraska matches up against Rutgers. First thing you should know and first thing Schiano probably figured out is that Nebraska's special teams operation is God Damn raging conflagration of a dumpster fire on par with Chernobyl.

To put this in perspective, Nebraska's special teams cost them the game vs. Illinois, and cost them at least 15 points vs. Colorado and Purdue.

That's not just a match up advantage for Rutgers, its likely a way the Scarlet Knights can steal at least 10 to 13 points. And I'm not sure any coach goes into a game and thinks they can score double digits on special teams. But Nebraska's group is an all time shit stain on the fabric of football history.

As for the other two facets of the game, that's where things get interesting. I don't want to try and sound like an ass, but if you look at advanced metrics which feed ESPN FPI, Sagarin and the other data used by Vegas, then you would see that Nebraska has the best offense and defense that Rutgers has faced all season.

If Special teams are even (which I think is worth a hysterical reaction for anyone reading this) then Nebraska wins by 10 to 13 points. If Rutgers can bow up in the red zone again and get a kickoff or punt return score, they absolutely WILL win this game.

 

[RU#1fan]

RU gets a special teams score.

 

[ashokan]

I am still not really happy with our defense giving up so many yards. Not like a GS team. If it continues, I think we will find ourselves in too deep a hole to recover from. We need to see more pressure (sacks) by the D.
Our ability to actually throw a pass that a receiver can catch is a real plus for our plan to run the ball a lot.

Defensive weaknesses vs good teams are now showing-up in scouting reports. September is a month to play sloppy, and October is when teams start to pay for it. RU's passing TDs saw a drop after Sept 2023. The gimmicks were known about

GS said he wants to start rotating more CBs into the game since guys have been taking a lot of hits and the coming receivers are bigger. He said you have to get better every week in the B1G or you get left behind. Last year RU did get better as season went on despite the usual boss team abuses.

GS can pull rabbits out of his hat, and I expect he as some tools hidden away but RU's defense isn't the turnover maker the 06 team was. This RU cant fall behind and then try to make it up with pocket change passes

 

[Knight Shift]

I think a common mistake made by college football fans occurs when we talk about opponents, and how they might fare against your next opponent. Rutgers isn't playing Colorado or Illinois or Purdue this weekend. And Nebraska isn't playing Washington or Virginia Tech.

The only thing that matters is how Rutgers matches up vs. Nebraska and how Nebraska matches up against Rutgers. First thing you should know and first thing Schiano probably figured out is that Nebraska's special teams operation is God Damn raging conflagration of a dumpster fire on par with Chernobyl.

To put this in perspective, Nebraska's special teams cost them the game vs. Illinois, and cost them at least 15 points vs. Colorado and Purdue.

That's not just a match up advantage for Rutgers, its likely a way the Scarlet Knights can steal at least 10 to 13 points. And I'm not sure any coach goes into a game and thinks they can score double digits on special teams. But Nebraska's group is an all time shit stain on the fabric of football history.

As for the other two facets of the game, that's where things get interesting. I don't want to try and sound like an ass, but if you look at advanced metrics which feed ESPN FPI, Sagarin and the other data used by Vegas, then you would see that Nebraska has the best offense and defense that Rutgers has faced all season.

If Special teams are even (which I think is worth a hysterical reaction for anyone reading this) then Nebraska wins by 10 to 13 points. If Rutgers can bow up in the red zone again and get a kickoff or punt return score, they absolutely WILL win this game.

We have a poster on this board who regularly is featured on MBG. Is this for real?

 

[koleszar]

If Special teams are even (which I think is worth a hysterical reaction for anyone reading this) then Nebraska wins by 10 to 13 points. If Rutgers can bow up in the red zone again and get a kickoff or punt return score, they absolutely WILL win this game.

Not to sound like a d*ck but, can you score off a fair catch? Because that's all we do on kickoffs and punt returns. With your last statement you've proven to all of us that you've not watched a single series of Rutgers football this season and are only going by some computer metrics for your analysis of our team and the game.

 

[Pils86]

It has been two cupcakes and two close ones. The Washington win was one of the luckiest wins I can remember. Awesome being 4-0 and 8-4 seems more doable now but will still be very tough. 7- 5 would still be a very good season.

 

[mdk01]

Not to sound like a d*ck but, can you score off a fair catch? Because that's all we do on kickoffs and punt returns. With your last statement you've proven to all of us that you've not watched a single series of Rutgers football this season and are only going by some computer metrics for your analysis of our team and the game.

He might not have. I believe he's a Nebraska fan visiting.

 

[RutgersDom]

Anything below 8-4 would feel like a huge letdown after the 4-0 start. Even 8-4 likely would feel like we left money on the table at this point. I want 9+ wins and think it is realistic. ESPN predictor has us likely to win all except Nebraska, USC, and Maryland.

We can win or lose all remaining games...Let's take one at a time...

 

[beaced]

with close to the mid-point of the season, the remaining teams on our schedule are all pretty much looking doable. None are still without at least one loss and no better than 1-1 in conference.
Yes, I know you still have to look at their overall schedule strength, but ours isn't too shabby either! This week at Nebraska will be truly telling. Interestingly, those same words were said for our last two games.
Since the pros have no problem projecting into the future, I will too!
*I see us clearly looking better than UCLA and Minnesota. Maryland looks a bit shaky also. All 3 are already 0-2 in conference. Maybe brings us to either 6 or 7 wins.
*Wisconsin and MSU look tougher, so I will say we take out Wisky at home and lose to MSU. One more win.
*Obviously, the remaining 3 teams appear to be our toughest hurdles. 2 on the road makes them even tougher. I think we win one of these games. 1 more win.
Like quite a few pre-season projections, it looks like we end up with 8 to 9 wins. With some of the kind of luck we have seen recently, maybe even better.

Since I am wonderful person as well as a truly loyal RU Fan I expect to be rewarded with an obscenely huge number of Wins.At least TEN or more.So far so hood

I agree, and I believe we will be repeating this for the rest of the season!

If you mean repeating wins beace like

 

[Cornicator]

Not to sound like a d*ck but, can you score off a fair catch? Because that's all we do on kickoffs and punt returns. With your last statement you've proven to all of us that you've not watched a single series of Rutgers football this season and are only going by some computer metrics for your analysis of our team and the game.

I doubt they will fair catch it if they catch it at the 7. But who knows.

 

[Cornicator]

Not to sound like a d*ck but, can you score off a fair catch? Because that's all we do on kickoffs and punt returns. With your last statement you've proven to all of us that you've not watched a single series of Rutgers football this season and are only going by some computer metrics for your analysis of our team and the game.

I've watched every Rutgers game, even most of the Howard game which had me questioning my life choices midway through the 4th quarter.

And I referenced computer metrics in response to the previous poster who thinks Virginia Tech and Washington are better than Nebraska. While I think the point is kind of of irrelevant because Nebraska isn't playing those teams, the metrics suggest his point wasn't accurate. Nebraska would be double digit favorites over Va Tech and close to a TD favorite over Washington.

But none of that matters because Rutgers vs. Nebraska has nothing to do with any other team.

 

[Shelby65]

Wisky showed SC is beatable. Moss has overachieved and w right disguised blitzes, well...

Wisconsin pressured Moss all game, beat him up and he still excelled in the second half. I don’t think that bodes well for us against SC, or Wisconsin either in the way they can get to the QB.

 

[Shelby65]

Not to sound like a d*ck but, can you score off a fair catch? Because that's all we do on kickoffs and punt returns. With your last statement you've proven to all of us that you've not watched a single series of Rutgers football this season and are only going by some computer metrics for your analysis of our team and the game.

Correction….‘this season or last’

 

[yesrutgers01]

I doubt they will fair catch it if they catch it at the 7. But who knows.

You kind of confirmed. I’m guessing ChatGPT on your first post.
And regarding computers giving Neb the best offense we have faced.
Wash QB is 1or 2 in all passing stats for active QB’s. Is a true freshman better?
Coleman- is your TB really better?
Boston/Hunter at WR. Are your guys that much better?
OL?
Defense- Neb May be the best so far but Wash D is pretty damn good.

And our PR would FC at the 1…just saying

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

What design element accounts for missed tackles and our DL being manhandled at times. Come on! Our Tackle got tossed like a rag doll. Our kids just have to get better. We’re in a race to get better. That’s it.

Here’s the thing. There’s no sugar coating the missed tackles - none stood out to me more than the one where Rogers broke free of a LB to then make the completion down field instead of getting sacked. The missed tackles are almost remniscent of the ones from the Ash era. Some seem like fundamental misses in terms of where we are hitting.

All that said - the final 150+ yards we gave up in Q4 were off of an intentional bend but don’t break style of play aimed at killing clock. In fairness, it was 21-10 in our favor with 10 minutes left in the game. Yes we again failed to get to the QB in time on that 4th and 2 but we did force Rogers off balance. He made a great throw but it was far from perfect and took a lucky bounce after being bobbled to allow for the reception. If that fell incomplete - the game is basically over.

 

[RUGuitarMan]

There are 8 games remaining and just about all of them can go either way. Coming into the year, I thought the 2 toughest games were @ Neb and @ USC. It’s a good sign that they were able to win close games vs VT and Wash. There are going to be more games like that this year. If they can get to 8-4, it would be a very good season.

 

[RexMantlepiece]

I am still not really happy with our defense giving up so many yards. Not like a GS team. If it continues, I think we will find ourselves in too deep a hole to recover from. We need to see more pressure (sacks) by the D.
Our ability to actually throw a pass that a receiver can catch is a real plus for our plan to run the ball a lot.

Again agree the D needs to improve but we just beat two teams with that underwhelming D. Two teams that if they were still left on the schedule most would say if that D don’t improve we will be in a big hole and lose. I know it’s a new way of thinking because our O has been soooo bad for sooo long but it’s quite possible to O is ahead of the D this year and allows us to win games.

 

[rurichdog]

I doubt they will fair catch it if they catch it at the 7. But who knows.

We fair caught a kick at our own 2

 

[willisneverrana43]

Anything below 8-4 would feel like a huge letdown after the 4-0 start. Even 8-4 likely would feel like we left money on the table at this point. . . .

Uh, no.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

Uh, no.

Let me rephrase then.

Anything below 8-4 would feel like a huge letdown TO ME after he 4-0 start. Others may disagree and not be disappointed at all if we go 3-5 or worse in the remaining eight games. I will feel like with a veteran defense, the best looking offense we have had in YEARS, and a schedule with only one of the top five teams in the conference (Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, and USC) and four wins already in the books, this is a golden opportunity to win 9+ games that we might not have again for years.

Next year: at Ohio State, home vs. Penn State and Oregon.
2026: at Penn State, home vs. Michigan and USC
2027: at Michigan, home vs. Ohio State
2028: at Oregon and Ohio State, home vs. Penn State

This is the easiest B1G schedule we are likely to have for YEARS, and people will be satisfied if we finish 7-5 after a 4-0 start that includes winning two of our toss-up games? Aim higher than that!

 

[willisneverrana43]

Let me rephrase then.

Anything below 8-4 would feel like a huge letdown TO ME after he 4-0 start. Others may disagree and not be disappointed at all if we go 3-5 or worse in the remaining eight games. I will feel like with a veteran defense, the best looking offense we have had in YEARS, and a schedule with only one of the top five teams in the conference (Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, and USC) and four wins already in the books, this is a golden opportunity to win 9+ games that we might not have again for years.

Next year: at Ohio State, home vs. Penn State and Oregon.
2026: at Penn State, home vs. Michigan and USC
2027: at Michigan, home vs. Ohio State
2028: at Oregon and Ohio State, home vs. Penn State

This is the easiest B1G schedule we are likely to have for YEARS, and people will be satisfied if we finish 7-5 after a 4-0 start that includes winning two of our toss-up games? Aim higher than that!

You did more than rephrase, you doubled down. Feel free to anticipate when you'll be disappointed. I'm busy enjoying this season, and I see another example of an ever-improving team. We actually have a functioning offense, which we haven't had for years. But we also have problems on D that need to be fixed. And the 4-0 start on which you base your entire disappointment-identifying exercise included two ham-and-cheese sandwiches. The other two games were close wins against good teams that could have easily gone the other way. Those teams weren't Ohio State, Penn State or Michigan, and yet the games were close to toss-ups.

The team is by no means a powerhouse, and it isn't the best team that Schiano will produce in act 2, not even close. They could certainly go 7-5 or 8-4. You're now ready to call that a failure. I'm not. I'm not aiming, I'm enjoying.

 

[yesrutgers01]

I get why anything less than 8 would now be a let down.
Most likely- Neb and USC are our toughest games and I don't know if Nebraska has really proven they are better.
We all feel we can do better than 4-4 down the stretch.

That said- when we review the season at the end of the year, and if we are 8-4 and going to a better bowl, we still need to realize the season was a success.

And the program is finally being recognized as a legit B1G team.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

If we finish 7-5 with wins against UCLA, Minnesota, and one of Maryland/Michigan State, ending up in Detroit, I will be disappointed.

 

[beaced]

with close to the mid-point of the season, the remaining teams on our schedule are all pretty much looking doable. None are still without at least one loss and no better than 1-1 in conference.
Yes, I know you still have to look at their overall schedule strength, but ours isn't too shabby either! This week at Nebraska will be truly telling. Interestingly, those same words were said for our last two games.
Since the pros have no problem projecting into the future, I will too!
*I see us clearly looking better than UCLA and Minnesota. Maryland looks a bit shaky also. All 3 are already 0-2 in conference. Maybe brings us to either 6 or 7 wins.
*Wisconsin and MSU look tougher, so I will say we take out Wisky at home and lose to MSU. One more win.
*Obviously, the remaining 3 teams appear to be our toughest hurdles. 2 on the road makes them even tougher. I think we win one of these games. 1 more win.
Like quite a few pre-season projections, it looks like we end up with 8 to 9 wins. With Ingram of the kind of luck we have seen recently, maybe even better.

Welll since we are picking,why not Pick more Wind?I think that we get a minimum of 11 Victories.Stick with beaced,I haven' been wrong.

 

[RUbacker]

Let me rephrase then.

Anything below 8-4 would feel like a huge letdown TO ME after he 4-0 start. Others may disagree and not be disappointed at all if we go 3-5 or worse in the remaining eight games. I will feel like with a veteran defense, the best looking offense we have had in YEARS, and a schedule with only one of the top five teams in the conference (Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, and USC) and four wins already in the books, this is a golden opportunity to win 9+ games that we might not have again for years.

Next year: at Ohio State, home vs. Penn State and Oregon.
2026: at Penn State, home vs. Michigan and USC
2027: at Michigan, home vs. Ohio State
2028: at Oregon and Ohio State, home vs. Penn State

This is the easiest B1G schedule we are likely to have for YEARS, and people will be satisfied if we finish 7-5 after a 4-0 start that includes winning two of our toss-up games? Aim higher than that!

The only reason you feel it will be a let down if we win 8 games is because all the preseason hype of random people got in your head . Otherwise you would be thrilled with 8 wins.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

The only reason you feel it will be a let down if we win 8 games is because all the preseason hype of random people got in your head . Otherwise you would be thrilled with 8 wins.

Reread what I wrote:

LESS THAN 8 WINS will be a disappointment to me. 8 wins might be, too, because we have already banked two wins in toss-up games.

Look at the ESPN FPI projected win chances right now:

UCLA 81.2%
Wisconsin 70.3%
Minnesota 65.7%
At Michigan State 56.4%
Illinois 56.0%

At Maryland 36.1%
At Nebraska 34.0%
At USC 15.9%

We can argue about if those %win chances are accurate, but those add up to 4.156 additional expected wins. You better believe I will be disappointed if we only win three. I think I would feel pretty satisfied with 8-4, but I might feel like we missed out on a chance at finishing 9-3 or better.

 

[suggakane]

Stay healthy, stay lucky and tackle...we get to six

 

[beaced]

Anything below 8-4 would feel like a huge letdown after the 4-0 start. Even 8-4 likely would feel like we left money on the table at this point. I want 9+ wins and think it is realistic. ESPN predictor has us likely to win all except Nebraska, USC, and Maryland.

They were tight about Nebraska. Should have won that one. Dropped TD pass KM non tD includes inconsistent dsy for us