WSU is nothing to worry about

[MikeFingLeach]

We don't have a QB. You dominated the game last year. We were lucky to be in the game. I give you guys a 99.7% chance of winning. You should be more worried about Indiana. They should cancel the game since no team has ever overcome a 5.5 pt underdog spread.

Tongue and cheek post. In all honesty, RU fans sound much like WSU fans before our game last year. We were coming off a surprising bowl season and looking to continue our positive momentum under Coach Leach. We all know how that turned out...

WSU fans respect RU and know it will be a tough game. Our offense, especially receiver, is absurdly underrated even by Pac 12 folks. If our defense and special teams have a pulse, WSU should surprise and qualify for Leach's second bowl in four years. That doesn't sound so impressive until you understand WSU has been to one bowl (2013) since 2003.

I expect hard fought game that comes down to the wire...just like last year. Cheers to a clean game!

 

[j10oreo]

You must be a glass half empty kind of person

 

[Knight Shift]

If it makes you feel better, we don't have a QB yet either. But perhaps Tonight's the Night?

 

[RUns_w/scissors]

We don't have a QB. You dominated the game last year. We were lucky to be in the game. I give you guys a 99.7% chance of winning. You should be more worried about Indiana. They should cancel the game since no team has ever overcome a 5.5 pt underdog spread.

Solid first post. Insightful. I can't wait til 2018 so I can read your next one.

 

[Knight Shift]

Solid first post. Insightful. I can't wait til 2018 so I can read your next one.

I remember MikeFingLeach. He's a solid WSU fan, and had some good insight last year. He's just venting, but now I see he updated his post. You coming out to Jersey MikeFingLeach?

 

[Scarlet4ever]

Don't think we are taking this WSU game lightly. Cracraft was a nightmare to cover last year. Thankfully he didn't fair catch the punt.

This game could be a problem if RU can't run the ball.

 

[MikeFingLeach]

Regretfully, no. We live in Portland, OR and have WSU season tix. That's enough travel 5 weekends per year. I edited my post because it sounded douchy...sarcasm doesn't come through the written word very well

I actually enjoyed watching RU in the Big10 last year. It's cool to follow non conference opponents...especially when our season was so crappy last year.

 

[RU206]

I just went to the WSU board and they have a thread called 4-5-6 which is asking how many wins they will have this year. Most are predicting that they will beat RU easily and one poster said RU would be the 8th best team in the PAC. I think it will be a close game but I expect RU to win.

 

[LevaosLectures]

Plenty of posters on this site are taking about the Wazzou game as if it's a foregone conclusion too.

It's going to be a close game.

 

[RUnumber1]

Truth be told, we (Rutgers) were one fumble on a punt away from losing. Had Rivercraft (?) fielded the punt cleanly, we might have very well lost the game.

 

[Abro1975]

If the idiot punt returner lets the punt roll (or coach that didn't tell him to NOT try to catch ball), game over. One of the dumbest strategic decisions of the year that saw. Coaching staff Had to be yelling at him to let it roll.

 

[RU206]

If the idiot punt returner lets the punt roll (or coach that didn't tell him to NOT try to catch ball), game over. One of the dumbest strategic decisions of the year that saw. Coaching staff Had to be yelling at him to let it roll.

Just call a fair catch. No need to let it roll because the games wasn't over at that point. I think there was 5-6 minutes left.

 

[Abro1975]

YOU'RE FIRED COACH ! LOL, No, a fair catch CAN BE FUMBLED ! The only guarantee way Not to turn the ball over and blow the sure win, is to STUPIDLY try to catch the ball, return or not.

Just call a fair catch. No need to let it roll because the games wasn't over at that point. I think there was 5-6 minutes left.

 

[NickyNewark51]

We don't have a QB. You dominated the game last year. We were lucky to be in the game. I give you guys a 99.7% chance of winning. You should be more worried about Indiana. They should cancel the game since no team has ever overcome a 5.5 pt underdog spread.

Tongue and cheek post. In all honesty, RU fans sound much like WSU fans before our game last year. We were coming off a surprising bowl season and looking to continue our positive momentum under Coach Leach. We all know how that turned out...

WSU fans respect RU and know it will be a tough game. Our offense, especially receiver, is absurdly underrated even by Pac 12 folks. If our defense and special teams have a pulse, WSU should surprise and qualify for Leach's second bowl in four years. That doesn't sound so impressive until you understand WSU has been to one bowl (2013) since 2003.

I expect hard fought game that comes down to the wire...just like last year. Cheers to a clean game!

Believe me Mike...we don't underestimate any P5 teams or teams close to it...we remember Kent State and many similar type games.We'll need out ST's and stout D to get us in front hopefully to let us play back and hope to get a pick or two...arrogant? No...confident? A bit esp sinve this year were home. We have problems with slinging high scoring type teams and win by a hair or worse lose by a hair. I hope you guys fare well except against us!!

 

[NickyNewark51]

Don't think we are taking this WSU game lightly. Cracraft was a nightmare to cover last year. Thankfully he didn't fair catch the punt.

This game could be a problem if RU can't run the ball.

Their problem is we will run well but we need to get out in front. Get a decent lead is the ticket to these kind of games.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Regretfully, no. We live in Portland, OR and have WSU season tix. That's enough travel 5 weekends per year. I edited my post because it sounded douchy...sarcasm doesn't come through the written word very well

I actually enjoyed watching RU in the Big10 last year. It's cool to follow non conference opponents...especially when our season was so crappy last year.

MFL, what do you think of your defense this year? I know we have been building towards having a power running game, how does your D look against the run?

 

[MikeFingLeach]

MFL, what do you think of your defense this year? I know we have been building towards having a power running game, how does your D look against the run?

We were middle of the Pac against the run last year. We lost X. Cooper our best dlineman to the NFL, but return more depth and youthful talent. The question mark is the secondary. Our new d coordinator added a nickel to our base package to combat the spread offenses in our league. We will find out together on Sept 12th if they are any good

 

[CranfordKnight]

While we have some overconfident fans expecting a win, there are just as many that are cautiously optimistic or just plain worried about the game. Contrast that to the WSU board, which I read before last year's game. They openly mocked us, predicted they would beat us by 40+. and generally acted like we didn't even belong on the field with them. I was awesome watching the ensuing meltdown afterwards when they continued to bash us and give us no credit for the win (in between tears).

Rutgers fans take nothing for granted. Most WSU posters were jackasses towards us last year. No comparison.

 

[Ru2bnj]

It should be an interesting game...like last year. I don't see a lot of difference, so I think it will come down to the wire. I think WSU will have a difficult time slowing down the physical RU attack...simply because they don't practice that way. RU will have a difficult time stopping the spread downfield passing attack...simply because they don't practice that way.

 

[JoeRU0304]

...considering we dont have a starting QB and our current injury list looks like the NYC phone book, I don't know of one Rutgers fan assuming anything about the WSU game.


Joe P.

 

[RU05]

I got this game marked down as a W. Not that I take it for granted that we win, but , I'm an optimist by nature.

 

[vkj91]

I am more concerned with WSU than PSU.

 

[imbazza2]

Why this game will be close.
RU= new secondary with WSU in the spread many communication errors by RU-2nd D many points by WSU (We have the talent to cover just not the mesh in communication)
WSU= heard Leach say no punts on 4th down Strange move but could cost WSU the game. If it is just coach talk and they do it only at logical time It will keep WSU in the game. Hard to cover dink passes

 

[PatrickRU92]

I think in general more RU fans are giving respect to WSU than WSU did last year to R. Pretty much everyone on their message board chalked up a win.

 

[vkj91]

I think in general more RU fans are giving respect to WSU than WSU did last year to R. Pretty much everyone on their message board chalked up a win.

And everyone on ours a loss. Goodwin was gonna give up 8 TD's by himself

 

[seels2662]

To be honest the reason why I think we have a very good chance at victory has nothing to do with the actual team. West coast teams have an awful winning percentage when traveling to the east coast. If we are anywhere as close talent wise as you are (which we are) then it is our game to lose.

 

[MikeFingLeach]

Why this game will be close.
RU= new secondary with WSU in the spread many communication errors by RU-2nd D many points by WSU (We have the talent to cover just not the mesh in communication)
WSU= heard Leach say no punts on 4th down Strange move but could cost WSU the game. If it is just coach talk and they do it only at logical time It will keep WSU in the game. Hard to cover dink passes

The no punts on 4th down is false. Not sure where you got that from.

 

[IMARUFAN]

Trust me MikeFingLeach, us older Rutgers fans have experienced so much pain over the years, we're not even taking Norfolk State lightly.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Reverse jinx

 

[Sec127]

Not convinced the secondary will be weaker than last year, especially against the spread. The availability of Cioffi and Stevenson at nickle and dime is an improvement. Boggs adds another ballhawk back there. Since I forsee a very effective pass rush from the front four along with proven blitzing LBs like Longa and Gause, I like the chances of a W at home against a team that was a cross country victory last year. Certainly better than against a team that was an L at home that is away this year. Hope for both W's as that would set up quite a run to open up the season. Especially since I don't see Wisky or Nebraska as strong as last year. Stay relatively healthy and things could get quite interesting. Either way, the front 7 on D and skill position players on O should make for an exciting season.

 

[MikeFingLeach]

How does the RU offensive line look?

 

[Arizona Knight]

How does the RU offensive line look?

That's what we all want to know. There are new some faces but a lot of size and talent to work with.

 

[IMARUFAN]

How does the RU offensive line look?

I think most people are cautiously optimistic about the o-line. I know I am.

It's anchored by an experienced 5th year senior at left tackle. There will be 3 new starters, but I'm pretty sure they've all been in the program for 2 or 3 years and they're all 3 or 4 star recruits.

 

[Geoduck12]

Love the early season nonconference games. Both teams fans are filled with equal amounts of optimism and concern. These types of games are springboards to the season, win and the season looks bright to fans and the team is confident, lose then doubts and questions arise among both the fans and the team.

Should be a very interesting game.

 

[kayak15]

I find it interesting that Rutgers supporters almost unanimously predict a win. WSU fans tend to see a win for the Cougs but not quite to the degree that Rutgers fans do. Yet, unless I missed it, no one expects a rout either way. Optimistic biases make up the difference in expectations. Geoduck is correct is seeing this game as a good indication of the teams' qualities. Both will be coming off contests against cupcakes. The Rutgers/WSU game will be the first real test for both. The outcome will have a great impact on expectations and confidence going forward. It looks to me that the betting guys have it right, about 5-6 point advantage to Rutgers. I see the two as equals at this point with home field advantage and the time adjustment and travel for WSU making the difference and giving you guys (Rutgers) a slight edge.

Should be a good and close contest. Rushing versus passing. East coast versus West coast. Lot of variables and unknowns at this point. I expect a well contested game and, hopefully, one without injuries to either contestant. Best wishes to Rutgers with the obvious exception.

 

[yesrutgers01]

Our OL is much much better in Nelson continues his strong play at Center. That will allow us to have 5th year 6'8 320lb Lumpkin at LT, Muller with a full year experience at RG(and he is very good NFL prospect) and Denman(game experience and may have been better then our starter) at RT.
Our DB has potential to be much better then last year and our D is much bigger and faster then ever. Just jack some depth and experience. I think WSU can burn our inexperience but on the other hand, we may make the big play too. I think WSU has to take an early, large lead in order to control this game. I'm not sure you can stop our running game unless your ad is kept fresh.
Your other problem is your kicking game/ST's. I don't trust our punting but wouldn't trade it for yours. Our kick blocking can change a game as can our return game.
If we get the lead, our 50k stadium can be as loud as any stadium in the nation. How will your young QB handle that?
I respect every team we play but I'm not seeing your advantage anywhere.

 

[Geoduck12]

If your DB's keep WSU passing game under 400 yes you may be right. If not?

 

[RU206]

If Turay puts the WSU QB in the hospital in the first Q this game will get ugly quick.

 

[MikeFingLeach]

Our OL is much much better in Nelson continues his strong play at Center. That will allow us to have 5th year 6'8 320lb Lumpkin at LT, Muller with a full year experience at RG(and he is very good NFL prospect) and Denman(game experience and may have been better then our starter) at RT.
Our DB has potential to be much better then last year and our D is much bigger and faster then ever. Just jack some depth and experience. I think WSU can burn our inexperience but on the other hand, we may make the big play too. I think WSU has to take an early, large lead in order to control this game. I'm not sure you can stop our running game unless your ad is kept fresh.
Your other problem is your kicking game/ST's. I don't trust our punting but wouldn't trade it for yours. Our kick blocking can change a game as can our return game.
If we get the lead, our 50k stadium can be as loud as any stadium in the nation. How will your young QB handle that?
I respect every team we play but I'm not seeing your advantage anywhere.

Our WR's vs. (Insert any teams secondary) is our advantage. We also return our entire offensive line. The left side of the O line are legit NFL prospects. I expect WSU to run the ball much more this year due to the size/experience of the line and every RB returning.

Rutgers is favored for good reason, but to say we don't have an advantage anywhere on the field is absurd.

 

[yesrutgers01]

Our WR's vs. (Insert any teams secondary) is our advantage. We also return our entire offensive line. The left side of the O line are legit NFL prospects. I expect WSU to run the ball much more this year due to the size/experience of the line and every RB returning.

Rutgers is favored for good reason, but to say we don't have an advantage anywhere on the field is absurd.

I give you your WR's vs our DB's though the best WR in the game may be on our side. Your OL may all be returning but our DL has a couple of special players and very deep- we can keep them fresh all day. If D Hamilton doesn't suit up, then that helps your cause a lot. We do have a concern with depth at LB but our top 4 are very good.
We have 3 RB's that can break open at anytime. You guys may get 400 yds but you need to hope at least 125-150 are on the ground.
You may see us get 250+ on the ground and a couple of big ST plays. That is what you need to hope doesn't happen.
Believe me, we still have to many unknowns to be totally confident so it very well could go either way. I just like our chances better. More so because of you ST's which should give is field advantage most of the game. Home field helps too.
Most teams that visit for the first time just are not prepared for how loud our "small" stadium gets.