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Big East Preview: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
By Jason Collette | July 13, 2008
A funny thing happened in Piscataway last year - it became a fantasy goldmine! Rutgers had a 3000 yard passer in Mike Teel (right, William A Guerro / Icon SMI), a 2000 yard rusher in Ray Rice, and had both Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood exceed 1000 yards receiving last year.
The passing game was the biggest surprise as Teel had mostly just turned and stuck the ball in Rice’s gut and Britt and Underwood did not even combine for 1000 yards in 2006.
Still, the year would have to be considered a disappointment because despite all that production, the team went 8-5 and only 4-3 in conference play. They were saved by their traditional weak schedule as they faced two service academies, Buffalo, and Norfolk State last season. This season featues the service academies again as well as Morgan State, North Carolina, and Fresno with four of those games coming at home.
For the first time in his career, we can say Mike Teel returning is a good thing. He is not as scary to watch as in years past and he is loaded with receivers to throw to this year. Without Ray Rice dominating the offense, the passing game could be even more of a factor this year despite Schiano’s run-first tendencies. If Teel goes down to injury or ineffectiveness, Jabu Lovelace is still around. He is more athlete than quarterback so the passing game would take a hit. You have to hope Teel can stay healthy because he is a lock for another 3000+ yard season with the receiving corps and the uncertainty at running. Drafting Teel late as your starting QB this year is a smart play if you have spent your high picks or high dollars at other positions.
Losing Ray Rice will hurt bigtime for Rutgers because he was a workhorse who got stronger as the game went on. Without him, they’re left with some scatbacks and a battering ram. Sophomores Mason Robinson and Kordell Young return, but Young is coming off knee surgery. Both are quick, but at 5′10 and 185 neither can be viewed as a full time back in Rice’s mode. Jourdan Brooks will absolutely be the short man at 6′1 255. Do not expect one guy to run with this job and all three should see time this season. Outside of Tulane and possibly UCF, no one school will miss their 2007 running back as much as Rutgers.
Last season, Tiquan Underwood and Kenny Britt combined for 127 receptions, 2332 yards and 15 touchdowns. It could get better this year year without Rice around to take all the red zone touchdowns away. While the defenses will not have to focus on the run as much, having Tim Brown around has to keep defenses honest. Brown doesn’t produce like the others but he can fly in the open field and should see an expanded role in the offense this year. Kevin Brock returns at tight end this year and should improve on his
240 yards and two touchdowns from last season. This is where the fantasy gold will be made for Rutgers this year and with Army and Louisville at the end of the schedule, the group could be huge come playoff time since neither school defends the pass very well.
Judge Jeremy Ito is no longer with Rutgers, so redshirt freshman San San Te takes over the duties. Ito’s huge leg will be missed here.
This was not a great defense last season as they gave up their share of points. They were 30th in the nation in total defense permitting 330 yards per contest despite the rather soft schedule. They generated a rather low 19 turnovers but did register 41 sacks last year. They return eight starters on defense but the key to their 2008 success will be stopping the run. They were 62nd in the nation last year and the Big East loves to run.
It should be interesting to watch Rutgers this year as their strength is clearly their passing game yet their coach and their conference tend to favor the rushing attack. The second half of their schedule is lighter than the first so this bodes well for Rutgers players on your playoff rosters.
Topics: Big East, College Football, Jason Collette, Preview |
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