Bowl-Eligible is not to bad

Like most Rutgers fans I expected a repeat of last seasons dominant performance. But those dreams were short lived early in this season with back to back loses to Maryland and Cincy. Two games I believe Rutgers let slip away because coach Schiano seemed more concerned with controlling the clock by trying to run the ball for the first three quarters when they should have been throwing the ball down the field.

Well we are now looking at the last two games of the season which should put Rutgers at 8-4 for the season. Pittsburgh should be an easy game to win and Louisville although offensively tough to stop we should still ultimately come out with the win.

Yet we all wanted the big prize which is a BCS bowl game but getting a bowl game period for two straight seasons is still a significant accomplishment.

Rumble in the 'Piscataway' Jungle

The game tonight between Rutgers and South Florida will be a season defining event. A win will put Rutgers back in the national spotlight as a big time big time Big East contender and a loss will likely put an end to any chance of playing in a Bowl game.

We beat them last season by the skin of our teeth and today we can't allow that. It will be important to control the game from start to finish. USF is an explosive team with a defensive line that will crush and attack at all angles. USF stopped the West Virginia running game before it even got started. Rutgers, Ray Rice was the last person to rush for more than a hundred yards against them since the last time they met. So we should expect to see more Mike Teel hooking up with Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood through the air.

On the defensive end the McCourty twins are going to have to play their best game ever and make some plays. USF quarter back Matt Grothe will get the ball to his receivers if not run it down the field. The d-line is going to have to put a lot of pressure on him them confused and off balance.

My prediction: Rutgers 33, USF 28

Scarlet Knights visit the Carrier Dome

After last weeks disappointing loss to Cincy many Rutgers fans like myself are wondering what's going on. Admittedly we don't have the best defense in the world but neither does Cincy. We should have won last weeks game against Cincy but the offense played to conservative and sloppy. Mike Teal was not his best and looked a little shaken - maybe he needs some spiritual uplifting or a confidence coach on the sideline to help him stay in control. That interception he through in the red zone last week was reminiscent of his first year as starter in the 2005 season. We don't need that this week against Syracuse. No excuses this time. We are facing a team that we can beat on paper hands down. This game will depend on who sets the tone first and plays with the most energy for four quarters.

Revenge against the Bearcats

After suffering last years stunning upset by Cincinnati and shattering the Scarlet Knights perfect season I expect Rutgers to come out playing today's game with plenty of purpose. My own prediction is that Rutgers is going to deliver the goods this time around and ruin the Bearcats pefect little record. It will be the toughest game Cincinnati has played all season. The Rutgers defense will come out strong and give quarterback Ben Mauk a hard time and put a lot of pressure on him. You won't see a repeat of last year for sure.

Lack of Defense Spoils Rutgers Perfect Record

Like any Scarlet Knight fan I was disappointed at the loss. The Knights defense just couldn't come up with any answers for the Terp running game. The Terps Keon Lattimore rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown against Rutgers which never should have happened. We allowed their backup quarter back to score 20 second half points without an equal response. Perhaps Maryland was the first real opponent the Scarlet Knights have faced all season, but looking ahead there are going to be tougher opponents in our own conference. The defense could barley make a tackle in the game. We have to close up the gaps on the front line and shut the run down no matter who the opponent. Lets hope we can improve and play with a little more urgency against Cincinnati who spanked us last year.