Rutgers Ramblings - prediction

[Ronznotes]

The Rutgers game should play out about like Northwestern. This is a match

up of our strengths vs. their weaknesses. They will want to keep the ball

but don't have the passer to do it. He is streaky, so they will sometimes

move the ball, but lots of 3 and outs.

 

We run the ball well - they don't tackle much.

They get in long 3rd downs -- we are amazingly effective at stopping 3rd

down conversions.

They don't stop dual threat QBs. We have one.

They don't have a dual threat QB. We like that.

They punt a lot. We really like that.

 

Toss on a home game - the first in a month or so and we've got a nice

homefield advantage.

 

Silent but good:

Gregory has been without super stats, but seems to be crucial to the

chemistry of the D-line. The guy seems to be given free reign to line up

and do what he wants. Looks tired at times. He is tough because the

opposition tries to put him on the ground every play. I would guess his

profile is that he's too small to give his best on every play and if you

rough him up, he'll coast.

Mitchell and Rose have been quiet but effective. I hope Mitchell gets a

couple more key picks - he deserves the attention.

 

Silent:

Cooper - why hasn't this guy made a memorable play in 7 games.

Stanton - how has he not passed up Fife? Elite QB camps, etc. This is not

about taking away from Fife. But Stanton came in with a lot of attention.

Seems like an attitude/preparation issue. Likely transfer case.

 

Loud:

Some new guy is returning punts. I need to learn his name.

Kalu. True freshmen blackshirts are nice surprises.

Gerry - the guy was born to play safety for Bo.

Ameer - Northwestern was the first game I saw him tackled more than one

time in a one-on-one situation. The first guy never gets him. Amazing.

Armstrong. I lamented his running stats from last season. He has done a

great job running the ball. How can he do a better job on the harder pass

routes than he does on the easy ones? Puzzling.

 

Gotta improve:

O-line consistency.

Finding other receivers for Armstrong. His completion percentage is

almost double when he throws to Westerkamp or Bell.

Linebacker play.

 

Surprises with Rutgers:

Blow out - we win by 30.

Finally some carries for Newby and Cross.

Stanton in game.

Special teams are dominant and set up the easy win.

 

NU 49

Rutgers 16

 

[True2tRA]

I like your prediction. Mine would be similar.

 

If we play like we did in that second half of the Northwestern game, Rutgers doesn't stand a chance. I expect Armstrong and Abdullah to have big games.

[NebraskaHarry]

Nebraska should win easily... should.

[ladyhawke]

Games like this scare me because we tend to not be as prepared for them and end up winning by a small margin or losing. I'm with NebraskaHarry-We SHOULD win this game. I would love to see a blow out, especially if we want to be taken seriously as both B1G Ten champs and final four candidate.

[PaulCrewe]

Rutgers is a poor tackling team so there should be done big rushing numbers today.

 

Nova is the B1G version of Bo Wallace of the past so should be many opportunities for some picks.

 

Good Guys 42 Jersey Shore 17

[RedRex]

Defense will stop the first Rutgers drive ! Showcase day for Blackshirts .

Ameer goes over 200yds again, with an addition hundred from Armstrong or Cross.

 

NU 56 NJ 6

[grandpasknee]

As bad as they are, they've played above expectations. Teams like this that have unfounded confidence and nothing to lose can be dangerous. Based on that, we only beat them by 20+ rather than 30+.