CFB: Record 2-1
I have A LOT to say about this game but I am going to condense it. It'll take me less time to type and less time for you to read.
What are the reasons to back Rutgers here?
1. Forget the past 3 games with regard to how you view this Rutgers team.
Rutgers was crushed by Wisconsin, Ohio State and Nebraska.
They were outscored 135-41 yet they are still 7 point favorites in this game. Scary?
I say this: Who cares? They loaded up their schedule early with the creampuffs ,won 5 of 6, and knew those three games would be losses. AT OSU? AT Nebraska? No shot...Rutgers is not even in their universe.
They had a nice win against Michigan and blew one to Penn State in the final minute in their Big 10 games that were competitive. This is another Big 10 game.
Both games were at home. THAT is where Rutgers excels. Rutgers knows what games it needs at home to stay competitive record-wise in this conference. This is a very big one in that regard.
So you get what is really the worst team (because of injuries) in the Big 10 right now vs. Rutgers in Piscataway. That is ideal to back Rutgers.
2. Who remains on Rutgers schedule?
@Michigan State - automatic loss
@Maryland - they should be competitive but I see that as a loss as well.
So they need 6 wins to become bowl eligible.
They are 5-4 with the last two games as losses.
Don't think Rutgers isn't 100% aware that they must go all-in to get to a bowl with this game.
Don't think the entire coaching staff, which can have changes, isn't fully aware that if they lose this game, heads could roll.
This team will be all business at home on Saturday.
3. Gary Nova's final game.
Love him or hate him, he is the most prolific passer in Rutgers history.
He will want to go out with a bang in front of his home crowd with a win.
While this isn't a major reason to back them, you will get all Nova legs and arm, as he sacrifices everything to leave Piscataway with a win and get this team to a bowl.
4. Indiana - Are they good or bad? I'll tell you.
Right now, they are completely one-dimensional.
They are starting a true freshman in Zander Diamont because the two QB's ahead of him went down. Yes, he is a third stringer and an emergency QB.
But it gets worse. He is actually .... a fifth stringer.
Yes, he was 5th on the depth chart this spring behind the two starters who are out for the season. The other two QB's ahead of him transferred.
He simply can't play the position having completed 46% of his passes for 103 yards....in three starts.
Ya have to feel for Indiana here. They started strong at 3-2 averaging 32.3 pts per game.
With Diamont they are averaging 11.3 over the last three.
It is so bad, that Indiana may list a ....free safety as one of their backup QB's this week. Talk about a vote of confidence.
You want more Diamont? I have more.
Go to :35 seconds of this video.
https://twitter.com/HoosierFootball/status/531217310371954689
A 24 yard pass that doesn't get a first down with the defense laying back:
Announcer: "Probably the best throw Diamont has made all year"
He has one positive. He runs. Yes, he can get some first downs running but Rutgers will be ready for that.
So the passing game is a non-issue.
Now we'll switch to the only issue of the game. The running game.