2008 Rutgers NCAA Football Betting Preview

[Qbins Missile Crisis]

College Football Preview – Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers got on the map in 2006 with a special 11-2 season but couldn’t keep up the magic last year and tailed off to 8-5.

But there were still plenty of positives. The Scarlet Knights went to a bowl game for the third consecutive season, which they hadn’t done in 138 years. And while five losses were more than they wanted, they still proved that they weren’t a flash in the pan.



Rutgers will be competing for the Big East this year but they need some pieces to fall in place.

Offense

Much of the attention will be placed on Rutgers’ replacements for running back Ray Rice but that isn’t the chiefly concern on offense.

The main issue will be the offensive line, which lost three starters including two tackles. Last year’s unit only allowed 11 sacks so there are some big shoes to fill.

Everything else on this offense is set.

There’s a committee of backs who should provide enough of a running threat with Kordell Young as the leading option.

Quarterback Mike Teel has been ripped a lot in his career, especially some last year, but he played through a nagging thumb injury, which limited him. He still managed to throw for a school record 20 touchdowns. He might be working with the deepest group of wide receivers in the conference.

All the parts of the passing game are experienced so the Scarlet Knights may move away from their run-first mentality. If the offensive line can hold up, this will be a dangerous team.

Defense

With eight returning starters, the Scarlet Knights defense will be one of the better ones in the Big East.

The front line is very strong, which is always a good start to any defense. This defense generated 41 sacks a year ago.

The problem last year wasn’t talent, the defense simply wore down from so much physical play as the season went along. That has been the main focus in the offseason to make sure that this unit is ready to go toe-to-toe with everyone in the Big East and seriously compete.

The linebacking corps is talented with Manny Abreu, Kevin Malast and Ryan D'Imperio as the three main men. A lot of people are anxious to see what Abreu can do after he redshirted last year.

The secondary is stocked, particularly at the back with All-American candidate, safety Courtney Green.

This unit learned some lessons the hard way last year and if they shorten some drives and get off the field after third down, the Knights could be a very complete team.

Outlook

The Scarlet Knights have the potential to be Big East and BCS contenders but it won’t be easy. But after last year, though, they should be prepared to work for it.

If the offensive line is a non-issue, the Knights will score points at a high rate. And if that’s the case, the defense will be good enough to hold the fort.

They’ll be tested rigorously as they have to head to West Virginia, to Cincinnati and to South Florida for challenging conference road games. The potential is there for Rutgers but can they execute and take advantage?

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