CFB Football Previews – Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs North Carolina Tar Heels
Expectations aren’t particularly high for Rutgers or North Carolina this season – especially for the transitioning Tar Heels – but both teams may have a glimmer of hope after winning their season openers.
NCAAF Week 1: Rutgers vs North Carolina
Date: Saturday, September 10, 2011
Venue: Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
Broadcast: ACC Network
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Lines from BetOnline.com
Money Line: OFF
Spread: North Carolina -10.5
Over/Under:
What will happen when the two undefeateds butt heads in a Big East-versus-ACC battle this week?
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-0)
If Rutgers wants to improve on its 4-8 record from last season – and if coach Greg Schiano wants to keep his job – this team must find a way to score more. On paper, the 48-0 win last week shows a major improvement. But Rutgers totalled an ordinary 347 yards. It was mainly the Scarlet Knights “D” and turnovers that set up those points. Chas Dodd and Gary Nova both took snaps at quarterback and were equally unimpressive in the win, completing 52.9 and 35.3 per cent of their passes, respectively.
All eyes were on top recruit Savon Huggins at tailback and he delivered…sort of. He found the endzone twice despite rushing for just 31 yards on 10 carries.
North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0)
The North Carolina Tar Heels have some rebuilding to do after losing high-impact players like quarterback T.J. Yates, wide receiver Greg Little and defensive tackle Marvin Austin over the offseason. But, in a way, because they dealt with so many suspensions last season, they may have gotten a head start on life without their stars. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Yates played all of last season and was viewed as the toughest guy to replace but, if Week 1 was any indication, Bryn Renner is more than ready to carry the load at QB. He was an amazing 22 of 23 for 277 yards and two touchdowns versus James Madison last week.
CFB Wagering Trends:
Under is 9-2 in RUTG last 11 non-conference games.
Over is 7-2 in RUTG last 9 games overall.
RUTG are 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
The Pick:
Even if Rutgers provides a superior defensive challenge to James Madison, Renner was so impressive last week that he could regress and still put a dent in the Scarlet Knights’ “D.”
On the flipside, even with new offensive co-ordinator Frank Cignetti calling the plays, Rutgers’ “offense” looked terribly inefficient last week. On the road against a solid Tar Heels’ “D,” I doubt Rutgers can keep up on the scoreboard.
Rutgers vs North Carolina prediction: North Carolina 27, Rutgers 13
Money Line: OFF
Spread: North Carolina -10
Over/Under: OFF
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