Looking forward to 2007 is rather strange for Rutgers fans. For years, we have had to stubbornly insist that our team actually had fans, never mind that Greg Schiano was just the guy who could reverse the losing of the Terry Shea era. After slow but steady progress, 2006 would hopefully be another 8 win step in the right direction. However, with a little luck, and a lot of cliched coaching metaphors, those neophytes from New Brunswick enjoyed a breakthrough season for the ages. In 2006 the team captured the attention of the greater New York City area and, before Boise State stole their thunder, the nation.
But before we continue, a special message from SeeRayRun.com.
Rutgers may not win the National Championship this year, but between the Heisman campaign website for Rice, and BrianLeonard23.com’s booming techno music, the Knights have proven to be a little more tech-savvy than the competition.
Team: Rutgers University Scarlet Knights
Location: New Brunswick/Piscataway, New Jersey (yes, the school is in two different cities)
Stadium: Rutgers Stadium - Capacity 41,500 (with 5,000 in additional temporary bleachers)
Coach: Greg Schiano
2006 Record/Finish: #12 - 11-2, 3rd in the Big East; Last game: 37-10 win: Kansas State @ Texas Bowl
2007 H2DN Prediction: 10-2, Second in Big East
Top returner: RB Ray Rice, Junior
Biggest loss: FB Brian Leonard
ESPN Incessant Talking Point: The schedule. It is admittedly rather weak. Maryland and Navy are good opponents, and playing at Army is not that bad, but the athletic director wanted eight home games. Subsequently, Buffalo and Norfolk State will fill out the non-conference slate, and the team might not get much respect if it runs the table, especially if the Big East falls off from its strong 2006.
Key offseason event: Greg Schiano spurned the advances of Miami to stay home at his dream job, receiving a hefty raise in the process. He then proceeded to lure in local offensive lineman Anthony Davis, linebacker Manny Abreu, and running back Mason Robinson, three of the best players to ever sign with Rutgers, in a very solid recruiting class.
Additional notes: Any success in 2007 will likely hinge on the development of quarterback Mike Teel. He played very poorly at the beginning of the season, but improved down the stretch as true freshmen receivers Kenny Britt and Tim Brown emerged. The Scarlet Knights are fairly strong at the skill positions, but lack the glamor of a Louisville or West Virginia. However, they make up for that deficiency with one of the top offensive lines in the nation anchored by Jeremy Zuttah and Pedro Sosa. Running back Ray Rice is getting a lot of preseason hype, but may actually see his workload decrease after overuse in 2006.
The majority of last year’s pass rush unit return. Despite their lack of size, Eric Foster and Jamaal Westerman are both receiving preseason accolades, and George Johnson held his own as a true freshman at end. The secondary should be much improved with a year of experience at the formerly-green corner spot. Jason McCourty was the team’s best defensive back late in the season, while hard-hitting safety Courtney Greene returns to help in run support. The biggest question mark the team currently has is the relative inexperience at linebacker. Perennially-overrated-but-clutch kicker Jeremy Ito is back for his final year on the banks.
One edge the Knights should have over Louisville, West Virginia, and South Florida is the aforementioned schedule. West Virginia and South Florida are both home games, while no other Big East contender plays two upper-tier teams at home. If they can take care of business versus Maryland at home and a scary trap game at Connecticut, the team should easily be able to pad its record and might be thinking BCS this year.
Fun Fact: The biggest story of the offseason? The “Schiano-copter”. The athletic department signed an endorsement deal granting free usage of a helicopter for recruiting trips. Coach Schiano has used it to full dramatic effect, infamously being denied permission to land on the roof of recruit Terrelle Pryor’s High School.
