At the same time I was just posting on Rutgers being a grudge game, Brian Bennett at ESPN.com echoes my post intro as to Rutgers to this point. He points out that Rutgers is an even bigger question mark than any other Big East team because of that schedule.
Now here are some reasons for skepticism.
While Savage has avoided turnovers, the passing game is nowhere near as productive as it was a year ago. Rutgers is seventh in the Big East with 181 passing yards per game, and Savage is completing just 56 percent of his passes. This will be his first Big East start.
The running game has put up decent numbers, but you would expect the Scarlet Knights to bulldoze weak FCS opponents like Texas Southern and Howard on the ground. Schiano says the running game lacks consistency. And no matter how good the stats are, there’s no getting around that they were compiled against wildly inferior teams.
The total offense for Rutgers is for 1821 yards through 5 games. 885 yards (48.6%) came against the 2 1-AA patsies. Really, that seems about in line given the badness of the opponents. The questions come in the running game. 915 total yards, but 498 (54.4%) came in those two games.
That means for a team that is breaking in a true freshman QB and wanting to minimize the pressure on him to make all the plays as he is still learning, the running game is needed. Especially for a QB that admits to holding the ball too long, facing the conference leading team in sacks. Yet, in three 1-A games the rushing totals were 50 (Cinci), 160 (FIU) and 207 (Maryland). No shock that as the running game goes, so goes the Rutgers offense.
Rutgers has also benefitted greatly from their strong turnover differential. Including three defensive TDs so far. To the tune of being second in the country in TO differential.
Of course, Rutgers is aware that they are about to take their own jump in challenges.
“Any competitor I’m sure wants to get back there (on the national stage),” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said Sunday, a day after his club shut out Texas Southern, 42-0, at Rutgers Stadium. “The last time people saw us we were 0-1. Now we’re 4-1. Hopefully we can go out and play better Friday night. As long as we play our best, that’s all I’m concerned about.”
Whether Rutgers (4-1) is ready for its nationally televised Friday-night home affair with Pittsburgh (5-1) is anyone’s guess. Not even Schiano knows for sure.
“It doesn’t really matter what I think — it’s coming,” Schiano said of his team’s litmus test with Pitt. “We’re going to do everything we can to be ready to play Friday I don’t know where that will put us in relation to Pitt. We are a work in progress — there’s no doubt about it. We’re not where we need to be.”
Rutgers coach Schiano is going to do what he can to find a 3d WR.
Particularly at wide receiver, where the Scarlet Knights have been searching for a capable third receiver to slide in behind Tim Brown and Mohamed Sanu. Freshman defensive back Quron Pratt received a few looks at wideout, along with Julian Hayes and another freshman, Mark Harrison.
Still, Schiano felt that while some progress was made, it doesn’t mean he’s satisfied.
“Quron made a play, like I said (Saturday) night,” Schiano said. “Julian played well. Mark had a little playing time but he didn’t get an opportunity to (catch a pass)… We are a work in progress.”
Injuries to Marcus Cooper and Keith Stroud are part of the reason for the continuing search. Rutgers WR Tim Brown hasn’t forgotten his game last year against Pitt.
Tim Brown can’t remember exactly what plays worked and how they worked from last year’s 54-34 win over Pittsburgh, but he can remember one thing:
His stat line.
“Four for 132,” Brown said after Tuesday’s practice with a grin, before adding: “Two touchdowns.”
And Brown was the 3d WR last year. This year he’s the #1 option.
Hail To Pitt
1. Bill Stull was able to get his head back in the game after having about as miserable a stretch as possible. In the past, Stull has struggled to regain form after something bad happens – whether it was his doing or not. Stull deserves a lot of credit for not only playing well for the last 20 minutes, but really leading the offense. I still think Stull has a lot of physical limitations, but was happy to see him bounce back mentally. It was also nice to see that he has emerged as the clear leader of the offense.
2. I may be overly optimistic, but the way that Pitt won gave the feel that this may be a turning point of the season. As has been documented, they did a lot wrong, but the way they finished left me with the impression that maybe, just maybe, this group is just starting to understand how good they can be, and how they have to play to win.
As long as Wanny doesn’t game plan for the Rockne shift, Pitt should win by 2-3 TDs.
“Pitt’s secondary will be shorthanded. Senior Aaron Berry (shoulder) likely will be sidelined and free safety Elijah Fields (ankle) is day-to-day. If they can’t play, redshirt freshman safety Jarred Holley and redshirt junior cornerback Ricky Gary will see added action.”
Could be an interesting evening… I think they come out throwing again.
I believe Pitt has enough senior leadership on both sides of the ball to withstand a fired-up team and crowd, but more importantly, I would expect that the 4th quarter comeback vs UConn to have a very positive and unifying effect.