The Sleeping Giant Awakes
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by user JJW
After decades of being the laughing stock of the college football world Rutgers showed last year that they have the potential to be an up and comer in the new Big East. The Scarlet Knights are led by Head Coach Greg Schiano who ascended to god like status in the hearts of thirsty RU fans who last went bowling in the 1978. Schiano’s team played better than expected in the Insight Bowl against Arizona State, losing 45-40. This year the team returns All American fullback Brian Leonard along with 15 other starters from last year.
Camp opened up this week and the season is just around the corner. It’s time to go on the record with my prediction for this year.
1 - @ UNC - I fully expect a shootout between two pretty evenly match teams. Being there in person I am hoping for a win but don’t think it’s in the cards. LOSS 38-35
2 - Illinois - Revenge - Brian Leonard leaps over the entire defensive. WIN 34 - 17
3 - Ohio - Since they beat Pitt last year I don’t think we look past them - we also don’t have a tough game the following week which minimizes the chances of not showing up - WIN 37 - 10
4 - Howard – Yawn - WIN 51 - 6
5 - @ South Florida - Can’t understate the importance of this game. South Florida and Rutgers are very even programs right now and RU does a ton of recruiting in Florida. Things don’t seem to be breaking right for the Bulls this spring and summer though - a lot of guys they are counting on are either hurt or not eligible - I think we steal one. WIN 27-24 on a bomb from The Judge.
6 - @ Navy - Aside from the disaster two years ago we actually handle them pretty well. I like that we have a bye and 2 weeks to prepare for the option. I think we WIN 38-28
7 - @ Pitt - Can’t see it happening. We never play well against them on the road and Palko is going to be fired up after we embarrassed them last year. LOSS 27-14
8 - UCONN – I think we have passed them as a program and a win here makes it tough to argue with that statement. This would make two in a row and one Tres Moses fumble from winning three of four. Sunday night under the lights should be fun. WIN 34 - 24
9 - Louisville - Thursday night national TV - Mike and the Mad dog broadcasting from the tailgate. Unfortunately they are much better than us and are a terrible match up (their passing game v. our secondary) LOSS 45 - 24
10 - @ Cincy – I’ve never seen a team so dominated by Rutgers in last years regular season finale. I think they had -50 rushing yards. I don’t care where we play them. WIN 35 - 20
11 - Syracuse - Oh how far they have fallen. Another program we have zipped by. One Justice Hairston fumble away from winning four in a row. But three of four ain’t bad. WIN 31 - 13
12 - @ WVU - We have come a long way from the 80-7 disaster in 2002. We actually played them very tough in Morgantown in 2004 and last year at. Unfortunately a game like this is still about two years away. It’s just not happening. LOSS 35 - 20
Final record 8 - 4
Big East 4 - 3
Mieneke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte - We beat Boston College 37 - 31 – Oh that will be sweet
Date
Wed 08/09/06, 5:51 pm EST
