My Prediction: 6-6
Rutgers has a tough schedule with the usual Big Ten East teams, plus Iowa as a crossover game and Washington out of conference, but I think they can find 6 wins on this schedule
9/3: @ Washington
9/10: vs Howard
9/17: vs New Mexico
9/24: vs Iowa
10/1: @ Ohio State
10/8: vs Michigan
10/15: vs Illinois
10/22: @ Minnesota
11/5: vs Indiana
11/12: @ MSU
11/19: vs PSU
11.26: @ Maryland
Gotta beat New Mexico and Howard. I like our chances against Illinois, Indiana and Maryland. Try and split Minnesota and Penn State, or maybe steal one somewhere.
Rutgers is switching it's offense to the Tom Herman power spread. A lof of tempo type stuff. Laviano is back at QB, but I'm more confident in him doing the job based on limited training camp coverage then I was last year with the way stuff with him getting the job over Rettig and all the Flood nonsense. Fact is, Flood wasn't committed to being a high major college coach. He didn't want to put in the 16+ hour days. Mini rant over.
I like what Rutgers has at RB. Rob Martin and Josh Hicks combined for 1437 yards on 271 carries and 10 TDs last year. Justin Goodwin beat both out to be named opening day starter.
Receivers isn't what it used to be. We don't have a Sanu or Carroo or Britt out there, but we have some depth. If Janarion Grant can make the catches, he can have a big year, as he's an explosive return man. Have 2 other senior starters in Andre Patton and Carlton Agudosi, but somebody needs to step up. Rutgers doesn't have any great TEs on the roster, but they have a couple guys who can help.
I like Rutgers' OLine. We've got 4 starters back, with 3 of them 5th year seniors. Tariq Cole is the new starter at LT and he's gotten some praise on BTN. How's the depth? Unproven.
DLine is the strength of the defense. We've got 3 5th year seniors starting, with Darius Hamilton coming back from injury, and Julian Pinnix-Odrick moving back to DE. I'm glad Rutgers is going back to a more traditional 4-3, instead of the hybrid 4-3/3-4 bullshit they had done the last few years.
Linebacker is a weak spot. We've got 1 career start among 15 LBs on the roster. Trial by fire.
Defensive Backs are less of a concern than in previous years. I don't want to go on another rant, but Defensive Backs have been a trainwreck at Rutgers since the 2012 season when you had guys like Ryan and Harmon and Cooper back there. A lot of bad influences in the room, lead to a lot of problems with the team. This year we at least have 4 guys who started last year back, and hopefully better schemes with Ash mostly working with the defense in training camp.