Bleacher Report - Articles by Andrew Weaver

REPLAY: 16 Years Later, Rival High Schools Get Chance to Settle Score

Andrew Weaver — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:59:03 -0500

A second chance.

In life, they’re not always hard to come by.

For example, if you hosted Thanksgiving for the first time and burned the turkey, will your hungry/angry guests want to come to your house next year?

Maybe not at first, but over the course of the year, and after explaining how you’ve been practicing the art of turkey cooking for the past 11 months, they might give you another shot—a second chance, a do-over, a replay.

But in sports, second chances don’t come so easy.

In fact, they rarely happen, since there is no “RESET” button outside of your living room.

Think back to your high school days, college days, or professional days. Was there one game, play, or moment you wish you could have back and try again?

Do you recall some unfinished business you left on the field and wish you could have done it differently?

How sweet would it be to have that chance?

What if you were told you could have another crack at it, and have it be against a bitter rival?

Well, for the Phillipsburg Stateliners of New Jersey and the Easton Red Rovers of nearby Pennsylvania, they were given that chance.

For those of you who may not be aware, these two high schools are part of one of the most intense, historic rivalries in all of high school football, dating back to 1905.

I grew up in New Jersey, and while the culture there may not equate to those in Texas or Florida, high school football in New Jersey is kind of a big deal.

My college roommate at Rutgers attended Phillipsburg High School, and from the first Thanksgiving of freshman year, I began to learn about the magnitude of the Phillipsburg-Easton game and just how important this rivalry truly is to the town and the school.

He told me, "the whole town shuts down. Everyone I know, family included, goes to the game. We roast the bird after."

Football and Thanksgiving make a great pair—as we know—but putting football BEFORE Thanksgiving? Now that’s controversial.

That’s a rivalry.

My roommate went on to say that, "you see old ladies there who have been going to this game for 50, 60, 70 years!"

The night before the game the town of Phillipsburg holds a fireworks display. In years past, the town would gather around a massive bonfire.

Separated by only about two miles and directly across the Delaware River from one another, the bragging rights never go unexercised.

Seeing how a whole community embraces the rivalry makes you wonder: How do the actual athletes involved feel?

In 1993—the 87th meeting between the Stateliners and the Red Rovers—the game ended in a 7-7 tie.

It was one of only five ties in the 100-plus game rivalry, and much to the dismay of every hungry soul at Fisher Stadium at Lafayette College, the better team on that day was never decided.

But earlier this year, Gatorade arranged a re-match of this historic rivalry game as the first part of their REPLAY series , which is a collection of sports documentaries devoted to the greatest high school sports rivalries.

As if the re-match of the 1993 tie didn’t have enough storylines embedded within, Eli Manning and his brother Peyton were chosen as honorary co-managers for each team.

For about sixty lucky players, they were given a second chance to re-live a historic moment from their sports past and put to rest any reservations they had.

A documentary about the REPLAY of the 1993 tie between the Phillipsburg Stateliners and the Easton Red Rovers was created and will be premiering this Sunday, November 29 on Fox Sports Net at 9:00pm.

If you weren’t able to witness the game in person earlier this year, here is your second chance to get a first-hand look at one of the oldest rivalries in all of sports.

For more information about REPLAY, please visit http://replaytheseries.com

Super Cereal Big East Bowl Projections: Rutgers to Meineke, Syracuse to Fiber One

Andrew Weaver — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:29:12 -0500

After another exciting weekend of Big East football, it's becoming more apparent where the conference’s top teams will be playing this holiday bowl season. For most teams, bowl eligibility has been secured. For one team, bowl-eligibility is one win away. And for a couple teams, the only bowls they will be seeing this winter are stacked in the cupboard. Good if you’re into cereal--bad if you’re into football. But, to be fair to both football bowl-bound Big East teams and cereal bowl-bound ones, let's look at some Big East Bowl Projections and cereals to go along with them.

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Rutgers Football's Stock Looking Bullish Heading into South Florida Matchup

Andrew Weaver — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:23:32 -0500

Yesterday, Nov. 11, 2009, the Dow Jones Industrial Average market index closed at 10,291.26—the highest close in over 13 months.

In other words, the market hasn’t looked this good since it closed on Oct 3, 2008, over a year and a month ago, when the Dow stood at 10,325.38.

At one point, on Mar. 9th , the Dow closed at 6,547.05.

Yikes.

Well then, a lot has happened in a year, hasn’t it?

I’d say.

Even in the past couple of months, a lot has changed.

Take the start of the college football season for example, which kicked off for most teams on Saturday Sept. 5th, 2009.

The day before, Friday Sept. 4th, the Dow closed at 9,441.27.

Oklahoma was ranked No. 3 and had the defending Heisman Award winner and projected No. 1 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft at quarterback.

Cincinnati was unranked and had to replace 10 starters on defense, in addition to having a quarterback who was coming off of a very shaky, uninspiring Orange Bowl performance.

Let’s fast forward to yesterday, when the Dow closed at the 13-month high of 10,291.26.

The Oklahoma Sooners now sit unranked having lost four games, and their Heisman quarterback is watching on the sidelines in street clothes.

The Cincinnati Bearcats now stand undefeated, ranked No. 5 in the BCS standings, and are serious contenders to play for a National Championship.

Has a lot changed in the college football landscape since Sept. 5th?

You don’t have to run any derivatives or analysis to figure that one out.

“Bearish” is a term associated with downward price movement, such as with a stock or a market as a whole.

The term “bullish” is associated with the exact opposite; meaning prices are rising or moving upwards.

The economy has experienced both over the course of the past 13 months, almost an equal share of both in fact, but since the start of the college football season, “bullish” would be the best way to describe it.

Cincinnati’s stock since the first week has been rising consistently, after a big boost versus Rutgers. It shot up the rankings and hasn’t looked back.

Rutgers, picked by some as a favorite to win the Big East, was mauled by the Bearcats.

And in a rather appropriate and pun-friendly fashion, the Scarlet Knights’ stock went “bearish” and plummeted to the dregs of every college football analyst’s portfolio. (That is, if they didn’t just outright sell it.)

Sometimes when a stock falters and experiences a huge drop in price, it might be targeted as a “buy-low,” with the buyer hoping that the stock will bounce back, regain its value, and generate future profits.

Rutgers’ stock is turning out to be just that, as the Scarlet Knights have gone 6-1 in the seven games after facing the Bearcats.

Led by a true freshman quarterback, Rutgers is certainly a risky play.

But if Rutgers’ veteran offensive line and defensive unit continue to play as they have in the past seven games, with high risk may come high reward.

After a legitimate road victory at Maryland and only a seven point home loss to the BCS No. 12 ranked Pittsburgh Panthers, Rutgers' stock was quietly rising.

After upsetting the Connecticut Huskies on their home turf two Saturdays ago, the growth of Rutgers’ stock has picked up even more steam.

Now, Rutgers is being projected for certain bowl games, receiving votes in a number of college football polls, and creeping into conversations as a team on the rise.

With the recent influx of buyers, the Scarlet Knights’ stock is looking bullish for the first time since before Sept. 4th .

And in the period between Sept. 4th and Nov. 11th , just like the Dow, Rutgers’ value has never been higher.

With a victory against the South Florida Bulls on Thursday night, Nov. 12th , the former bearish Rutgers’ stock should expect a high volume of bullish activity in the weeks to come.

A lot is riding on this game for the Scarlet Knights and the Bulls are no pushover by any means.

But based on Rutgers’ recent activity in the college football market and given the atmosphere that will surely envelop Rutgers Stadium, any fan should invest in Rutgers with confidence.

I’m not one to hand out investment advice, but if you’re in the market to buy, this might be your last chance before Rutgers goes “Google” on you.

Rutgers Football: Scarlet Knights Are Not Who You Thought They Were

Andrew Weaver — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:37:59 -0500

It was shaping up to be a storybook ending for Connecticut and a familiar one for Rutgers.

The UConn Huskies were returning to play their first home game since the devastating loss of their teammate and brother, Jasper Howard.

The Scarlet Knights were heading into their first Big East road game of the season after dropping their first two conference games at home.

With less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, the Huskies were about to take their first lead of the game—a game in which they needed more than any other game this season—and send Rutgers packing.

And the Scarlet Knights, in a game they also needed badly, were about to relinquish a lead they owned for fifty-nine minutes and twenty-two seconds.

So when Jordan Todman waltzed into the endzone with thirty-eight seconds left to give the Huskies a 23-21 lead, the fate of this game seemed like it was signed and sealed.

But it was not delivered. Not this time.

The way this year had materialized for Rutgers up to this point (getting annihilated by Cincinnati and losing a heartbreaker to Pitt) the thought of a comeback, especially under these circumstances, seemed like a fantasy.

And that thought—a thought laced with disbelief and doubt—is where we all went wrong.

Maybe there’s a lot about the 2009 Scarlet Knights we don’t know. Maybe they’re not who we thought they were.

A quick show of hands of who honestly believed Rutgers would come out of Hartford last Saturday with a win after UConn punched it in with thirty-eight seconds left?

Liars.

No one did, except maybe the men under the red helmets with block “R”s printed in white. But I bet even some of them had given up hope.

Maybe I'm wrong about that, and maybe I was wrong when I wrote about the possibility of Rutgers finishing the 2009 season winless after the Army game.

Well, it’s obvious I was wrong about the latter, because thanks to Tom Savage and Tim Brown, things aren’t looking so bleak for the Scarlet Knights the rest of the way.

That'll learn me, I guess.

After coming down from the euphoria of Tim Brown's miracle winning touchdown reception Saturday, I'm much more optimistic about the Knights' final four games.

What once appeared to be a rocky November road ahead now could ride much smoother after the unexpected (but undoubtedly welcomed) display of grit and resilience by Rutgers against the emotionally charged Huskies.

The first half was an absolute joy to watch as a Rutgers fan.

Devin McCourty returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown.

Tom Savage looked like a veteran and threw two touchdown passes, one of which was caught by the much talked about true freshman, Mark Harrison.

The defense was stout and held the Huskies offense to three points, while causing several turnovers in the process.

The second half, however? Stressful, to say the least, as Rutgers' offense could not get into gear.

And although the second half was largely commanded by the Huskies who scored fourteen unanswered points to take a 24-21 lead with less than a minute to play, the game’s most pivotal play was not yet made.

And it was arguably the most clutch play made by a Rutgers team since the upset of the No. 2 ranked USF Bulls back in November of 2007, a play that could be the turning point of a season.

And on that one play, Tom Savage and Tim Brown gave us a reason to believe that this Rutgers team should never be counted out.

That this Rutgers team will play for sixty minutes and not a second less.

That this Rutgers team will stand up and confront any type of adversity.

That this Rutgers team will have an identity; an identity that may have just been found.

A win like this is not incomparable to a come from behind, walk-off win in baseball.

It’s the type of win that builds confidence and character; just ask the 2009 New York Yankees.

Now, upcoming road games at Louisville and Syracuse don’t seem as intimidating from a home-field advantage perspective. There’s no way those crowds will be more hostile than those at Rentschler Field.

And hosting South Florida at home appears to be a winnable game, given the Bulls’ recent 41-14 loss at Pittsburgh.

Am I comparing Rutgers to the Yankees? No.

I’m saying the Yankees’ confidence grew after walk-off wins. They believed they could win any game no matter the deficit, and look what just happened. (World Champions Baby! )

This last win at UConn could have a similar effect and help the Scarlet Knights when facing adversity down the road.

Am I saying Rutgers will go on to win their next three or four games?

Absolutely not.

But I am saying that one play can change a season, and the Scarlet Knights may have just witnessed one.

photo courtesy of nj.com

Scarlet Over Black As Rutgers Beats Army: Do The Wins Stop Here?

Andrew Weaver — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:54:28 -0400

Earlier this evening, Rutgers recorded their fifth win of 2009 by defeating FBS cellar-dweller Army , 27-10.

Hope you DVR’ed that sucker, because it might be the last chance to see a Rutgers victory this season.

Yup.

I Schiano you not—The Scarlet Knights could easily drop each of their next five matchups, which are all against Big East opponents.

You might be thinking, “did you eat one too many Fat Sandwiches and has the grease paralyzed your brain?”

Well, honestly, chowing down on a Fat Darrell does sound pretty good right about now, but the truth is I haven’t had one in years.

However, one thing I have eaten recently is a nice, healthy dose of reality.

And the reality is that the 2009 Rutgers Scarlet Knights are not the team they were expected to be this year, and it’s not even close.

They are not good enough to win the Big East.

They are not one of the top teams in the Big East.

They are not anchored by a veteran offensive line, nor are they led by a mature defensive unit.

What are they then?

Well, by all standards they would be classified as a mediocre team who has won the games they were supposed to win and lost the games they were expected to compete in.

To illustrate RU’s mediocrity to date, I present two high-level statistics: The records of teams played and the point differential in wins and losses.

Rutgers’s five victories came against Howard, FIU, Maryland, Texas Southern, and Army. Combined, these teams have an aggregate record of 10-23, or a winning percentage of .303. Rutgers outscored these opponents 171-45.

By looking solely at the box scores, you would think Rutgers was a top ten team with those point totals, scoring roughly eighty percent of the total points in those five contests.

But the most telling statistic here is the winning percentage of these teams, which is putrid. Also, no team Rutgers has beaten has more than three wins.

So it’s not like Rutgers is racking up victories against quality opponents. It’s quite the contrary—RU has been feasting on cupcakes.

But everyone plays cupcakes!

This is true, but not everyone plays as many as RU has played this year. Even so, cupcakes rarely bring out the best of any team. (They only make you, your stats, and your record inflated and fat).

Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, teams with a combined record of 12-1 and a ridiculous winning percentage of .923, beat the Rutgers rather routinely. They outscored them 71-32, although the Pitt game was only decided by a touchdown.

Well, an argument can be made that Cincy and Pitt (currently ranked No. 5 and No. 20 nationally) might be the top two teams in the Big East this year, so who is to say they won’t beat the rest of the league like they beat Rutgers.

Fair enough. They might.

But the thing that should concern Rutgers and create doubt about the rest of 2009 is how Rutgers has looked against inferior opponents.

The offensive struggles. The defense gives up big plays and is inconsistent in tackling. The running game is only mildly effective.

These observations are understandable when facing quality opponents, but they are unacceptable otherwise.

For example, Army was hanging with Rutgers for most of the game last night. If it weren’t for several key fumbles and a blocked punt, Army is very much in the game.

Savage was having trouble completing passes.

Joe Martinek broke loose at times thanks to gaping holes but was largely ineffective and looked slow. The defense did create a few turnovers but were by no means dominant.

Army is one of the worst teams in college football, and Rutgers had its hands full for three quarters.

This raises the question, if Rutgers can’t put a team like Army away, how can they expect to compete against the rest of the Big East?

Cincinnati and Pittsburgh already “came there and did that,” and it doesn’t get much easier for the Scarlet Knights at home.

Rutgers will host USF and West Virginia, and they need no introduction. They are always out for blood against Rutgers and will show no mercy.

UConn won’t put fifty points on the board, but don’t think you can mosey into Rentschler Field and expect a win. The Huskies and their fans will have none of that.

Louisville might be the weakest of the bunch, but PapaJohn’s Stadium isn’t exactly a treat for visitors, and Syracuse is due for a win against the Scarlet Knights.

You can bet the Carrier Dome will be rocking for that one.

It’s not necessarily time for Rutgers to panic, but they have not instilled any confidence in a fan base expecting to win on any given week.

Coach Schiano hasn’t been able to lead his squad to a convincing victory where the three phases of the game were operating on all cylinders.

In the only meaningful games played this far, Rutgers got embarrassed once and failed to capitalize on golden opportunities in the other.

In the not-so-meaningful games, the Scarlet Knights got the “W” but not much else.

After analyzing this sample of seven games, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Rutgers struggle to win another game this year.

That being said, I see Rutgers season ending one of three ways:

1) Five Wins, Seven Losses:

The unthinkable happens and Rutgers lays an egg in the Big East, losing all seven games. Point Guard Paulus passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns en route to a huge win at home. Steve Kragthorpe wins one Big East game in his last year as Louisville’s head coach.

2) Six Wins, Six Losses:

Rutgers’ only Big East victory comes against the ghost of Greg Robinson and the born-again Orange. Paulus gets pummeled and Rutgers retains some NY/NJ pride. (Think, Rutgers fans, if you could only win one more game this year, you’re telling me you wouldn’t want it to be versus the Cuse?)

3) Seven Wins, Five Losses:

Schiano & Company take care of the Cardinals and the Orange to snag two Big East victories, but the “Chop” stops there. Rutgers’ infantile offense is no match for USF’s aggressive defense, and Schiano has no answer for B.J. Daniels. UConn will not be denied at the Rent and will avenge last year’s missed-field-goal-as-time-expired loss at Rutgers Stadium. West Virginia slams the door to end Rutgers season and continues its fourteen-game win streak against the Scarlet Knights.

In short, the obvious worst-case scenario is going winless from here on out and ending up with a 5-7 record (0-7 Big East).

This would be absolutely devastating for Rutgers Football and recruiting would undoubtedly be affected, but it’s time to prepare for this possibility.

As optimistic as I try to be, I just cannot see more than two victories in the next five games.

There is simply no evidence to believe otherwise.

Sure, Rutgers could surprise us all and end up with nine or ten wins, but after seeing these first seven games, who would bet on that?

I’m not a betting man, but you can bet I’m going to hang on to this DVR’ed Army game just in case.

Friday Night Lights: Tom Savage Looks To Lead Rutgers Out of Dark vs. Pitt

Andrew Weaver — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:13:45 -0400

The warnings printed on side view mirrors say, “objects in mirror are closer than they appear,” and the same can be said for FBS college football teams in New Jersey in that they “may be weaker than their record shows.”

Let’s face it, this 4-1 Rutgers team hasn’t taught us much since they were 0-1 after Week One. Well, maybe we learned something after beating Maryland 34-13 on their home field, but the Terps weren’t exactly playing ACC Championship-caliber football.

(Note: Even if the Terps were playing “ACC Championship-caliber football,” it’s nothing to really get excited over. Sorry, traitors, but the ACC just isn’t that special. But that is neither here nor there.)

On Labor Day, the spotlights were pointed directly at the Scarlet Knights when they took on Cincinnati, and Greg Schiano was given a perfect opportunity to have his Rutgers team shine.

Forty-seven points and one humiliating loss later, the power went out on Rutgers on a national stage, leaving them stuck in the basement with nothing but some matches and a candle or two.

Five weeks after that, true freshman quarterback Tom Savage has emerged and managed to light a spark for the Scarlet Knights going into their second shot at the Big East this Friday vs. the Pittsburgh Panthers.

Savage, as most 19-year-olds would, has looked shaky at times, especially when running with the football (see: concussion).

But he has managed to play virtually mistake-free football thus far while showcasing his rocket arm, an ability to make good reads, and sound decision-making.

What Domenic Natale could not do vs. Cincinnati, Scarlet Nation hopes Tom Savage can do against Pittsburgh on Friday night under the lights.

It will undoubtedly be Savage’s toughest test to date against an aggressive Pitt defense led by defensive tackle (and sack monster) Greg Romeus. Romeus’ seven sacks this season are tied for third in the NCAA.

Note to Rutgers’ offensive line: Stop this man! Savage has already been rocked a few times, and a face-to-face meeting with Romeus probably isn’t the best idea for the already-concussed Savage.

Thankfully, Savage appears to have the size and talent to be effective against a stout Pitt defense.

He can chuck the ball downfield, so if Tim Brown and Mohammed Sanu can create some space in the secondary and connect with the true frosh a time or two, Pitt’s defense will be forced to play honest.

It’s not only up to the quarterback to help navigate the Scarlet Knights out of the dark, though.

The Rutgers defense will be just as big of a factor as Savage, if not bigger, if the Knights expect to beat Pitt.

The defensive unit has shown promise after completely shutting down Howard, Maryland, FIU, and Texas Southern, allowing just 35 points over a four-game span.

Say what you will about the competition, but dominance is dominance, and dominance breeds confidence.

Confidence is key for any successful defense, and the Scarlet Knights’ are feeling pretty good about themselves on that side of the ball.

Defensive end Jonathan Freeny has become a legitimate pass rusher on every down, Antonio Lowery is proving to be a perfect complement to middle linebacker Ryan D’Imperio, and Joe Lefeged has become the consistent big-play safety we saw glimpses of in his younger years.

They have their work cut out for them on Friday, as they will face a potent Pitt offensive attack headlined by future NFL receiver Jonathan Baldwin.

Pitt is currently favored by three points to win.

But as we have seen many times before at Rutgers Stadium, when the sun goes down and the lights come on, special things can happen.

Maybe a night game is exactly what this Rutgers team needs to come out of the dark space it has inhabited since Week One.

And maybe Tom Savage is the key to bringing Rutgers Football back into the spotlight and the national conversation.

R U afraid of the dark, young Savage?

I’ll be there, front and center, to find out first-hand.

Week Five Big East Power Rankings: If Teams Were TV Shows

Andrew Weaver — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 02:57:00 -0400

Have you ever heard about a TV show thought to yourself, “sounds like the dumbest show ever,” and would never consider watching it? We know there are the shows you always watch because they are “you-approved” and you know they will deliver each time. There are the shows you just started watching and haven’t completely roped you in, but you give them some time to develop. There are the shows you try, realize they suck, and never go back. And then there are the shows that you simply know from the start are awful and have a snowflake’s chance in hell making it to your DVR. But going back to those shows I mentioned first (the “dumbest ones”)—there might be a time when you accidentally flip it on and end up liking it. Who’da thunk it? Well, the point is that in time, things change. I didn’t think I could enjoy a show like Top Chef (actually not just about dudes cooking stuff), but now I really do. I also didn’t think a Grothe-less South Florida could upset #18 Florida State in Tallahassee, but they really did. College Football is a crazy sport: Nothing can be taken for granted because everything can change in an instant. Just ask Michigan after they played Appalachian State in 2007–I bet anyone who told a Michigan fan their team was going to lose might have said, “that sounds like the dumbest prediction ever.” After five weeks of football, the way Big East teams look isn’t necessarily how they will look five weeks from now. There are some early favorites and there are some wild cards, but until all is said and done, each team deserves some more air time. In any case, here’s the picture if you’re just tuning in now:

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Cinderellas or Big East Champs: Rutgers Still Figuring Out Which Shoe Fits Best

Andrew Weaver — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:36:36 -0400

Three long years ago this fall, the Rutgers football program was awoken from its decade-long coma was and introduced to “big time college football.”

After a few cups of very caffeinated coffee, Rutgers took on the country and became the darlings of college football.

A perennial Division I bottom feeder, Rutgers put together one of the most memorable seasons the school had ever witnessed (11-2, first bowl victory in history) and stole the hearts of thousands of college football fans across the country.

What wasn’t to like?

A fiery coach in Greg Schiano, a Northeast school with a big city attitude, and a group of underrated, overachieving student-athletes out to prove the doubters wrong.

All from a football program that co-authored the book, College Football in the 20th Century: Finding New Ways to Lose at the Division I Level.

The 2006 Rutgers story was a charming one and it forever raised the bar for New Jersey collegiate football.

It’s 2009, and the bar is still collecting dust.

Mired with high expectations and a newfound intolerance for defeat, the Rutgers Football program has failed to achieve the heights it reached in the fall of 2006.

Two consecutive 7-5 seasons have left Scarlet Knights fans feeling cheated and unsatisfied.

Entering this fall, certain media outlets, ranging from local Middlesex County newspapers to ESPN, had picked Rutgers to win the Big East.

But after Cincinnati’s trouncing of the Scarlet Knights in Week One, those same newsrooms found themselves enjoying delicious bowls of shoe.

So, how did a team with no quarterback and one returning wideout receive the blessing of these voices?

The analysts believed that the return of the entire offensive line and all running backs, along with a veteran defense, could make up for an inexperienced quarterback and group of receivers.

Well, the defense was shredded by Cincinnati in Week One and played 50 good minutes against the current bottom feeder of the FBS, FIU, before giving up two late-game touchdowns.

The running game has been coming along, with back-to-back 100-yard games achieved by Jourdan Brooks and Joe Martinek, but the competition it faced was simply elementary compared to any other team Rutgers will face this season (well, maybe with the exception of Texas Southern...geesh).

After two underachieving seasons, many worry that the program has stalled.

Some may believe that Rutgers is suited better as the “Cinderella” or the underdog and cannot handle the pressure that comes along with success.

Maybe that’s true.

After all, it wasn’t until the Scarlet Knights had earned a putrid 1-5 record that they won six consecutive games en route to a third straight bowl victory in 2008.

No one thought they could come back from 1-5 and reach a bowl, but they beat the odds and nay-said the naysayers.

But I’m not one to really harp on shortcomings, so I can see the good in Rutgers' first three contests this fall. If you take away the first half of the Cincinnati game, the Scarlet Knights have played efficiently and, more importantly, almost mistake free.

Tom Savage is finding his groove with each snap. The defense is getting quicker and more impenetrable with each third down. The offensive line is incrementally starting to gel and open up running lanes.

(I should say, the defense was lights out in the first 50 minutes versus FIU and returned two interceptions for touchdowns)

So, could this be the start of something in Piscataway? Could the worst be behind Rutgers this year?

Could be.

But you’re not going to see me penciling in wins and bowl matchups for the Scarlet Knights—I know better than that.

But I do know that since I’ve been following Rutgers football, they prefer to work quietly and behind the façade: a place where they certainly reside now...comfortably.

The fact is, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone picking Rutgers to win the Big East from here on out—and maybe that’s how they like it.

Rutgers Beats Howard: The Good and The Bad

Andrew Weaver — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:53:12 -0400

With all due respect to the Howard Bison, Rutgers’ 45-7 victory on Saturday did not really tell us much in terms of football.

What it did tell us was that Howard’s band is, by far, the most talented and entertaining band the school will see this year.

So if you come to Piscataway on Saturdays for the music, you’re in for a disappointing rest of the season.

Let’s hope that’s not the case for the football fans in attendance, myself included.

I made my first trip of the season to the new Rutgers Stadium (strangely enough, seeing the Howard band was not the primary reason), and let me first say that the Expansion Project is outstanding: the scoreboard is a behemoth, the student sections are going to blanket the field with noise, and the sheer aesthetics of the place take your breath away.

But anyway, the Scarlet Knights notched their first victory of the season against an inferior opponent—an opponent capable of losing by a similar margin to any other FBS team. It was a win which should excite no one, except maybe Howard’s athletic director who just cashed a big fat check for his school.

First, let’s review the positives.

Tom Savage looked the part of a mature college quarterback, completing 8 of 13 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. He looked comfortable in the pocket, made his checks, scrambled when necessary, and made strong, accurate throws.

In only a game and a half, it’s obvious why Savage was highly sought after by the nation’s top programs. This kid is the real deal, and Rutgers fans shouldn’t be surprised at what this kid can and will achieve during his time “on the banks.”

On another positive note, we may have found our number one running back. Jourdan Brooks made the most of his 17 touches, running for 124 yards, averaging a hearty 7.3 yards per carry, and crossing the goal line three times. Joe Martinek, on the other hand, only gained 38 yards on 10 carries, averaging an anemic 3.8 yards per carry (relative to the opponent, of course).

Sorry, but a 3.8 yard per carry average doesn’t cut it against a team like Howard.

Hopefully Brooks made his case and will grab the starting job, because the “running back by committee” paradigm Rutgers is currently operating under, to me, means that no one is stepping up. The job is there for the taking, so claim it.

Aside from Jourdan Brooks’ performance, the Scarlet Knights running game has been slow to develop over the first two contests.

When I say “slow to develop,” I mean like tortoise and the hare slow.

Even after the team’s 245 yard effort last week, Rutgers still ranks seventh in the Big East in rushing.

Does anyone else miss Ray Rice as much as I do?

Without being too dramatic (it has only been two weeks, after all), it’s still clear that someone on the Scarlet Knights’ roster needs to man-up, take the ball, break some tackles, and break some long runs.

But wait just a minute—it’s not just the running backs’ fault. Some of the blame should be placed upon the offensive line.

Hold on, the offensive line? You mean the same offensive line with a Rimington Award candidate and a pre-season All-American? The same offensive line that returns every starter from last season?

Yup.

What was believed to be the one of, if not the biggest strength of the Scarlet Knights this fall has fallen short of expectations this far, and they know it.

Junior tackle Anthony Davis (pre-season All-American), sophomore guards Caleb Ruch and Art Forst, senior center Ryan Blaszczyk (Rimington Award candidate), and senior tackle Kevin Haslam have openly admitted their struggles and have vowed to turn things around.

Granted, Ryan Blaszczyk is battling an ankle sprain and Caleb Ruch suffered a leg injury during Saturday’s game, but the Rutgers Football program is now at the point where the back-ups on the two-deep roster should be effective replacements for their starting counterparts.

If they’re not, then Rutgers Football is still many years away from achieving the goals Coach Schiano established when he came to Piscataway almost a decade ago.

It should not be a question of coaching, since offensive line coach Kyle Flood is as good as they come, so maybe it is a question for the players themselves.

Either way, the experience on the offensive line is crucial to Rutgers success in 2009 (and beyond).

With a true freshman quarterback in Tom Savage leading the team, a dependable, reliable ground game is essential to this young quarterback’s success, and that starts with consistent line play.

What’s the “net net” here? Well, Rutgers is 1-1, after a blow-out loss against a good opponent and a blow-out victory against an inferior one.

The defense has looked mediocre at-best, the offensive line has played shaky and hasn’t gelled, the running game has shown flashes, the special teams has left a lot to be desired, and the quarterback play has been decent after the first half of the first game.

All in all, Rutgers falls in the net negative category and will remain there until it defeats a respectable opponent (possibly Maryland, but most likely Pittsburgh).

Time to pick up the slack, boys. The college football season can be very unforgiving for missed opportunities and lopsided losses.

Rutgers Football: You See 47-15? I See 7-6.

Andrew Weaver — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:02:24 -0400

Okay, first of all, no. I am not trying to manipulate statistics or conjure up a string of “what-ifs” or alternate scenarios that would have resulted in a final score of 7-6.

Rutgers lost to Cincinnati—flat out—and the score is an accurate representation of what transpired on the two-shades-of-green field turf in Piscataway this past Monday.

It really was a 47-15 loss.

In fact, the way Tony Pike and his army of ninjas-posing-as-student-athletes tore apart the Rutgers defense, I’m almost surprised the Bearcats didn’t go all “Rutgers vs. Louisville 2008” style on the Scarlet Knights.

(Remember, that was Rutgers’ final home game last year—a game in which Mike Teel threw for 447 yards and six touchdowns on 21 of 26 passing en route to a 63-14 massacre of the Cardinals).

Almost effortlessly, Cincinnati’s receiving corps seemed to disappear from Rutgers would-be tacklers as fast as they appeared, so maybe the “ninjas” analogy is too generous.

Maybe I’d be better off saying the Rutgers defense reacted to the pass like sumo-wrestlers react to all-you-can-eat salad bars.

Analogies aside, Rutgers’ Week One performance was weak indeed, as seen by the score; However, I saw a few numbers beyond the final score that might matter even more: Seven and six.

I was unable to attend the opening game on Labor Day, an inevitable fact I was aware of since the schedule came out.

I had booked a vacation to San Francisco with my girlfriend over Labor Day weekend months ago, and we had planned to go to a Giants game on the Monday we were in town, coincidentally at the same time as the Rutgers game.

Because of my phone’s Internet plan, I was still able to follow along and track every play. Thank you, Science!

Anyway, as halftime approached, my fan-guilt of not witnessing this huge game in person slowly waned as the score went to 31-7. I said to the girlfriend, “Well, this game has all the makings for a complete rout or an amazing comeback.”

She raised her eyebrows, tilted her head, and in her typically optimistic attitude said, “Well, you gotta think positively!”

Thinking positively and hoping for the latter, the former prevailed.

Exchanging texts with friends, watching Sportscenter highlights, and reading game recaps on a phone won’t ever satisfy the hunger of true game analysis, so I had to resort to my DVR upon my return to New Jersey.

(However, I will say, texts can provide for some comic relief during or after a bad loss.

Here are two examples:

Me: Where’s the D?

Friend 1: Not here.

Me: What’s going on?

Friend 2: We suck.

Me: That score makes me want to throw up. I don’t think I even want to watch this on DVR.

Friend 2: Don’t!)

I walked into my apartment at 11:45 last night, dropped some suitcases, went through the mail, purposefully cracked a beer, collapsed on the couch, and pushed PLAY.

Here is how I remember the game…in numbers:

7-0.

7-7.

10-7.

17-7.

24-7.

31-7.

Halftime.

7-6.

7-6

7-6.

Game over…Game on.

At this point you might be thinking, “Really, dude? Like, really really? What are you typing? Get to the point.”

Well, as of this moment, I’m typing the past, present, and future my friends!

Too heavy? Too sci-fi for a sports column?

Well, the numbers seven and six should be getting a lot of notice around the State of Rutgers over the course of this season and in the next few years, because they are printed on the jerseys of two of RU’s brightest young stars: Tom Savage (No.7) and Mohammed Sanu (No.6).

Hard to believe that the most memorable two players wearing Scarlet during Week One are true freshman (and a quarterback and wide receiver at that), but please believe it, because No.7 and No.6 look like the real deal.

After a skittish Dom Natale threw three interceptions and no touchdowns during the first half, Coach Schiano chose door No.2.

Behind this door emerged Tom Savage, the blue-chip quarterback recruit out of Pennsylvania who had turned down offers to play at Georgia, Penn State, and Michigan in favor of the State University of New Jersey, commonly known as Rutgers University.

The 6’5”, 230lb true freshman took over the reigns formidably and proceeded to establish an almost premeditated on-field business relationship with fellow true freshman, Mohammed Sanu.

Sanu, a former high school quarterback himself, was initially projected at safety for the Scarlet Knights. But the team’s lack of depth at wide receiver this spring (and the pure athletic ability of Mohammed himself) enabled Coach Schiano to try Sanu out at a new position.

Thus far, the 6’2”, 215lb true freshman super-athlete has exceeded all expectations and solidified himself as Rutgers' No.2 wide receiver behind senior Tim Brown.

Looking like a veteran duo after the first three or four connects between No.7 and No. 6, I thought, “Wow. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

As my "numeric" recollection of the game shows above, Savage and Sanu teamed up for seven completions, totaling upwards of 100 yards.

Considering Savage completed 15 passes (46 percent of them to No.6) and Sanu caught 10 passes (70 percent from No.7), it looks like these two young players may be on to something.

Okay, so these numbers would indicate that Savage and Sanu may be building chemistry, which is great for the two of them, but how does their play add up on the team’s score sheet?

Well, No.7 finished 15 of 24 for 135 yards and a touchdown, good for a passer rating of 123.5.

As for No.6, he finished with 10 receptions for 101 yards, averaging 10 yards per catch.

I think any team lead by a quarterback with a 100 plus rating and anchored by a receiver with the ability to catch double-digit passes for triple-digit yards should be in good shape, offensively anyway.

So, for those who have woken up in cold-sweats with visions of “47-15” dancing in their heads since Labor Day, might I suggest a serving of NyQuil and a ticket to the next game, as those numbers will surely be forgotten.

How about Rutgers No. 7 and No. 6? Might I suggest getting used to them, since they should be sticking around for a while.

Just remember, Tom Savage and Mohammed Sanu are only freshman, and they just completed their first collegiate game versus the defending Big East Champions.

If their collective performance in Week One is any indication of what the future holds for Rutgers Football, I'd think the numbers are on RU's side.

Cincinnati-Rutgers: It's R Time

Andrew Weaver — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:14:47 -0400

I remember the feeling like it was yesterday.

A win would have essentially secured both a Big East Title and a BCS Bowl berth: two achievements never before experienced by the Rutgers University Football program.

Before kickoff, I was buzzing. In more ways than one.

What I had anticipated being a warm, hazy victory on a Saturday night in November turned into a sobering, depressing night followed by an even worse hangover.

As the fourth quarter game clock struck 0:00, the reality that had been lingering and building as the game progressed finally affirmed itself: Cincinnati stunned Rutgers 30-11, and the undefeated season (and so much else) had vanished.

Mike Teel, the future owner of virtually every passing record for Rutgers, threw four interceptions, one of which was an 83-yard pick-6.

Ray Rice and Brian Leonard, arguably the best 1-2 punch in the school’s history, combined for 57 yards rushing.

And the Rutgers defense, a unit that had averaged just under 11 points against over the first 9 games of 2006, practically took off their spikes, pads, and helmets as if to say, “Well, we won’t be needing these.”

Disappointment. Shame. Embarrassment.

To add insult to injury, the Bearcats (showing their impeccable sportsmanship and class) mocked the motivational gesture the 2006 Scarlet Knights had adopted and coined “the chop,” and “chopped wood” all over Rutgers’ collective faces.

Ben “Never give up” Mauk continued the mockery when Cincy bullied Rutgers in Piscataway in 2007. (Is he still trying to forge another year of eligibility? I stopped looking, but I assume so.)

After yet another defeat at Nippert Stadium in 2008, their meeting on Labor Day (at 4 p.m. on ESPN) will represent four years since Rutgers last took care of the Bearcats.

I can’t be the only Rutgers fan out there who gets a bad taste in their mouth when Cincinnati is mentioned, but if I am, please comment.

They have had Rutgers’ number the past three years, and each year they have managed to throw a wrench in the Scarlet Knights’ post-season aspirations.

I’m not one to go predicting what the Big East standings will look like once the final regular season game is played in early December. I don’t know how it’ll turn out, but I do know this:

Week One is important.

More important than Week One’s of years past.

Why?

First: It’s a Big East game. Win and you are in the driver’s seat in the conference. Lose and you have to play catch-up. (Duh.)

Second: Momentum. Rutgers has a young team, primarily at the offensive skill positions. Fifth-year senior Dom Natale attempted eight passes in 2008, and true freshman Tom Savage is nipping at his heels.

Mohammed Sanu, also a true frosh, is starting opposite Tim Brown at wide receiver. Jourdan Brooks and Joe Martinek are red-shirt sophomores, but only have 176 carries between them.

After Cincinnati, Rutgers will play Howard, Florida International, Maryland, and Texas Southern. A win in Week One would lay a solid foundation for the entire team which can be quickly and effectively built upon against the next four opponents.

Third: It will be the first game played in the newly-expanded Rutgers Stadium. The expansion project, which Rutgers’ Athletic Director, Tim Pernetti has recently engaged “light speed” for to complete before Week One, adds over 12,000 seats and completely encloses the lower-tier bowl structure.

The fans will be hungry for a win after 8 months of waiting, and given the current economy, an early loss could drive single-game buyers away for a while.

More so, a full stadium of tens of thousands of Scarlet-Maniacs screaming their lungs out will be an undeniable advantage for the home team.

Fourth, and finally: It’s Cincinnati, a.k.a. the "thorn in RU’s side.” As if their mere field presence wasn’t enough motivation to win, they are also the defending Big East Champions.

To put Brian Kelly along with his “modest confidence” (ha) and the rest of the Bearcats in their place, Week One would be such sweet justice.

Coach Schiano, in his usual non-ambiguous but optimistic self, left the media with a quote after the 2006 crushing defeat:

“We weren’t very good tonight…but we will be again.”

It's time.

Rutgers : NYC :: Syracuse : NJ?

Andrew Weaver — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:40:26 -0400

News broke today that Syracuse signed a couple of deals to play USC and Notre Dame at the Meadowlands in 2012, 2014, and 2016.

The Meadowlands, as you know, are located in New Jersey.

Syracuse University’s campus, meanwhile, is located approximately 250 miles to the north… in upstate NEW YORK.

Oh, one other thing: Syracuse will be the “Home” team for these New Jersey-based games.

Um, ok.

For the last several years, due mostly in part to coach Greg Schiano’s vision, the football program has launched and maintained a robust marketing campaign based around the term, “The State of Rutgers.”

The State of Rutgers, of course, has expanded into more cities and states each year (South Florida, Maryland, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware), but it stems from local roots, like New Jersey and New York.

As part of the campaign, the school has branded billboards, taken out full-page newspaper ads in publications such as the NY Daily News, distributed block “R” car magnets, and even decorated entire New York City buses with scarlet red as well as RU Football trademarks and trade names.

Oh yeah, and the Empire State Building was lit up in scarlet for the team’s magical run in 2006. (Fun fact: New York’s nickname is The Empire State).

So, based on the exposure and attention that Rutgers Football has received in the past several years, it’s pretty clear that if New York City had a college team, it would be RU. In fact, there’s really no argument, based on the lack of comparable data.

For some (silly) reason though, Syracuse would like people to think THEY are the college team of NYC.

…Really?

Why would they think that? How about some evidence to support such a crazy claim?

Ohhh, I know why, and I have seen the evidence. In the past several weeks and months, I’ve seen multiple NYC taxicabs with their message lighting up the triangular ad space atop the cars.

Well done, Syracuse. A tough act to follow, indeed.

And what better way to secure themselves as “New York City’s College Team” than to announce three future “home” games out of state! Brilliant!

Sorry, ‘Cuse, New York City isn’t for sale.

Feel free to try your luck in northern New Jersey, but I don’t think they’re looking for a team either.

With the new deals signed with USC and Notre Dame, Syracuse will have the opportunity to get TWO beatdowns in New Jersey per year!

Maybe they ARE trying to become New Jersey’s favorite college team after all? (Personally, I LOVE when Syracuse comes to town).

Rutgers Football 2009: The One Game Season?

Andrew Weaver — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:27:10 -0400

Since their headline nabbing "Hello World" breakout campaign in 2006, the Rutgers Football program has entered each of the two successive autumns with greater and greater expectations.

Even with significant personnel losses after ‘06 (Devraun Thompson, Brian Leonard, and Darnell Stapleton to name a few) and ‘07 (Ray Rice, Eric Foster, Jeremy Zuttah), the fans and media alike have anxiously anticipated the possibility of Rutgers Football turning the next corner and winning the conference.

This autumn is no different.

The 2007 and 2008 seasons were hardly comparable in nature. The 2007 started strong (beginning 3-0) and then fizzled (finishing 5-5), while 2008 was quite the contrary (starting 1-5 and finishing 7-0).

To summarize the 2007 and 2008 seasons: There were highs and lows. Peaks and valleys. Laughter and tears. Confidence and fear. Hopelessness and optimism.

At times, the Scarlet Knights looked unbeatable and completely inept at other points. But the similarity between these past two teams is this: When they wanted it, they delivered.

Just watch the USF game from 2007, or the Pitt game from 2008.

If this team could have harnessed the focus and desire they had in those two game,s and played a full season with the same mindset, what could the ceiling have been?

Last year, it was three points at Cincinnati and seven points at West Virginia. One score could have been the difference between Birmingham and Miami.

Damn.

Playing “one game seasons” became the mantra of the 2008 team, and it damn sure worked for the last 8 games...all Rutgers victories.

Only the seniors know this story best. Ryan D’Imperio, Ryan Blaszczyk, and George Johnson have experienced the highs and lows of Rutgers Football circa 2007 and 2008.

Do they know the task at hand in 2009? Does the rest of the Rutgers Football team know what it takes to play a “one game season?”

On September 7, we’ll find out.

The expectations are still there, but can the 2009 Scarlet Knights finally do what no Rutgers team has done before?

Thoughts on Donuts and the Yankees

Andrew Weaver — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:26:29 -0400

Kids love 'em. If given the right to choose a breakfast food on a daily basis, I'd bet most little tikes would opt for a circular sugary cake—or two.

But why shouldn't they?

Kids love sugar, and donuts are an excellence source of it. In fact, I can't say that once every few times I pass the D&D in Rockefeller Center that I don't think to myself, "Hm, a strawberry frosted would do me some good right about now."

But, as person who is above the age of 13, I opt for the coffee instead.

Why?

It's because donuts are awful and hold next to no nutritional value. They're loaded with carbs and fat that are anxiously waiting to be processed and tucked safely around my stomach never to be heard from again.

No thanks, I'll pass.

I mean, how many donuts could you actually eat in a row, anyway? Three? Four? Eight? Certainly not more than eight, right?

The Yankees have thrown the scale out the door this year and have become complete lard.

They've put up eight donuts against their forever rivals from Boston, and quite frankly, it's embarrassing. Enough is enough.

Take a look at yourself, Yankees. You've got multiple chins and are taking on the shape of a green fruit that rhymes with "bear."

How do you expect to keep Kate Hudson and Minka Kelly around if you've thrown your health out the window and just said: "Screw it? The gym? Hah. Get me another beer, thanks."

Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your non-donut-eating lives, Yankees. The Red Sox are coming to town for four games, and they are emaciated and just begging for a few delicious fatty-iced treats.

You don’t want them to starve, do you?

Otherwise, the obesity will continue, and no one wants that. If I have to even see one more donut for the Yankees, I might just puke.

In a Joba State of Mind

Andrew Weaver — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 01:09:04 -0400

Just when you thought he couldn't pitch out of the fifth inning, Joba Chamberlain has now put together consecutive starts pitching at least 6 2/3 innings for the first time in his career. In fact, his past two starts may be his best back-to-back performances during his short time in pinstripes.

Joba has won these past two starts. The last (and only) time he accomplished this before was almost a year ago today, when he beat Baltimore on July 30, 2008, five days after that memorable seven inning, nine strikeout victory at Fenway.

Here are his lines from these wins:

7/24/2009 - W 8-3 – Oak – 7.0IP – 2H – 1R – 0 HR – 3BB – 6K

7/19/2009 - W 2-1 – Det – 6.2IP – 3H – 1R – 1HR – 3BB – 8K

So, after the break, he’s averaging just under seven innings, under three hits, one run, less than one home run, three walks, and seven strikeouts per start. It’s a small sample, yes, but considering he’s started less than 40 games in his career, it is worth noting.

His last two starts before the All Star break:

7/10/2009 – ND (L 10-6) - @LAA – 4.1IP – 9H – 5R – 1HR – 1BB – 4K

7/5/2009 – ND (W 10-8) – Tor – 3.2IP – 9H – 8R – 2HR – 1BB – 1K

In those starts, Joba averaged five innings pitched, nine hits, over six runs, at least one home run, one walk, and under three strikeouts.

Oh, one other stat I forgot to note: The number of fist pumps after the break. There have been two in these last two games, which is exactly two more than his previous two starts.

Joba looks different on the mound now. He’s working faster and pitching with authority. His fastball is registering at 96, not 91. His slider is making hitters whiff. He has that look in his eye—reminiscent of the dog days of summer 2007, when he forced the Yankees’ “Powers-That-Be” to fast track him to claim the setup role for their big-league closer.

Leading up to the break, Joba was making Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman ponder whether his time on the mound would better be suited for Scranton, rather than the Bronx.

He was struggling with his command, getting into early inning jams, nipping at the corners of the plate, over-thinking every pitch, and bottling up his true mound presence. Most importantly, he was squandering leads and hindering the Yankees chances to win.

It seems Mr. Chamberlain is trying to put an end to such brooding.

What happened in those four days off? What happened to the Joba we saw, Rules and all, in 2007?

In an interview on Yankees.com, Joba said, “I just got back to being myself…It was fun to get away from baseball for four days. I think that was the best—to get those four days to get my mind right and get back to having fun and the confidence and attitude I know I have.”

Confidence. Attitude.

THAT is what we’ve been missing. Early on, maybe Joba was too concerned about how other perceived him on the mound—from opposing teams to the media.

Now, after taking a breather and spending time at home, it seems like Joba (circa 2007) may be back and better than he was back then.

Why may be he better? Well, the Yankees get him for seven, eight, and nine innings of 95+mph heaters and high 80s mph sliders—not just one.

Rutgers Receiving Corps Outlook

Andrew Weaver — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:52:41 -0400

Last year, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights caught a total of 168 passes from the wide receiver position. Of those 168, only 28 catches were made by receivers currently on the active roster.

Unaware Rutgers Fan #1—“Well, as long as we have a seasoned quarterback under center, it will be easier for the newer, less experienced receivers. It won’t be that bad.”

Aware Rutgers Fan #2—“Our starting quarterback for the past three seasons, Mike Teel, is graduating in May.”

Unaware Rutgers Fan #1—“But I just renewed my season tickets!!!”

Well, I wouldn’t go running for that refund just yet, but there are certainly big shoes to fill.

Kenny Britt, “School Record Shatter-er Extraordinaire,” declared for the NFL draft as a junior; Tiquan Underwood, a three-year starter, is a graduating senior. Britt and Underwood, along with recently dismissed Dennis Campbell, leave huge voids at the wide receiver position.

Who will step up in 2009? Who will replace 15 out of 26 total receiving touchdowns this fall?

That remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Tim Brown will be a part of it… along with...some…other guys?

He enters 2009 as the Knights most seasoned receiver, accumulating more catches and touchdowns than any of his current teammates.

And it’s not even close.

After Brown, Julian Hayes is Rutgers’ next active career receiving leader, who has a whopping 1 reception for 9 yards to his name. Oh boy.

In 2008, Brown caught 27 passes for 565 yards and 6 touchdowns. In his career, he’s amassed 1,122 yards on 59 receptions and 11 touchdowns. For those keeping score at home, Timmy catches a touchdown once every 5.3 times he touches the ball.

Timmy who?

Historically a slot/third receiver, Brown brings blazing speed and home-run potential to the field on every play. However, his biggest challenge will be adjusting to the increased attention he will receive from defensive backs, as he graduates from being a number three receiver to the primary receiver for the Knights.

Although he has never seen the type of attention a typical number one receiver garners, the fact remains that Timmy Brown is Shakespearean in his play-making ability and needs to get as many touches as possible.

As I mentioned earlier, it’s slim pickings for Rutgers’ next quarterback in terms of receivers with experience. Doesn’t get much more “slim” than 1 reception for 9 yards, does it?

The Scarlet Knights will turn over every stone in hopes of finding the next Kenny Britt or Tres Moses, and they are optimistic that the production and talent they seek is already on the roster.

Mason Robinson, a junior, who spent his first two years as a tailback, is being transitioned into a wide receiver. Given the lack of experience and depth at the position, coach Greg Schiano is trying the NJ state high school100 meter dash record holder’s speed on the outside. I’ll buy that.

Julian Hayes, a red-shirt junior, will try adding to his weighty career reception total of 1 this fall. This 6'1", 215-pounder has the frame and physicality to hold his own on the field and should contend for a starting spot opposite Brown.

Other veterans include Thursday-night-hero Andrew DePaola, who threw the game-changing touchdown on a fake field goal against South Florida in 2007, and Pat Brown.

While these “veterans” may be more familiar with Rutgers’ offensive schemes given their years with the program, the real buzz surrounds a robust crop of red-shirt freshman wide receivers.

These newbies include Marcus Cooper (6’2”-180), Keith Stroud (6’3”-200), Tim Wright (6’4”-205), and Eddie Poole (6’3”-185).

Very tall and highly touted, these promising freshmen are loaded with potential and have the size to fight for playing time in Piscataway this spring.

It’s unknown whether one, all, or any of these four receivers have learned enough in the past year to grab significant playing time or a starting spot. Spring practice reports say some may be on the cusp.

However, the upside on these four is enormous and their ceilings are incalculable.

Timmy Brown, easily the Scarlet Knights’ most explosive offensive weapon, has shown he can take it to the house and change a game in an instant, but he won’t be able to carry the team himself.

Plus, as a 5’8” receiver, don’t expect too many fade routes to be thrown his way in the corner of the end zone.

He’s going to need the help of his teammates, experienced or not, to lighten the load for the next quarterback, or else Rutgers offense could be as one dimensional as this sentence.

St. Paddy's Day Tribute to Baseball's Past

Andrew Weaver — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:36:25 -0400

It’s mid-March, which basically means three acts of Awesomeness are about to occur: (1) the NCAA Tournament, (2) St. Patrick’s Day, and (3) Opening Day for Major League Baseball.

I don’t think I need to elaborate on HOW or WHY these phenomena get filed under “Awesome,” but, for sure, there are those people who may only get super-psyched for one or two of these March goodies.

Fortunately, I’m not one of those guys.

I love all three, but since the NCAA Tourney is about to grab the undivided attention of everyone and their moms, I’m choosing to focus on the latter two: The Irish Day of Debauchery and the best damn day of Spring.

Specifically, in light of what Americans call the “Holiest of Irish holidays,” I thought it would be a great opportunity to pay homage to our professional baseball ancestors of Irish origin.

Now, as far as parallels between baseball and the Irish go, look no further than the category: Drink - Most Associated With.

Who’s kidding who here? For baseball fans, what’s a better way to spend a day at the ballpark than with a tall, cold beer, right? For Irish folk, what better way to spend...any moment of any day or night? You get the point.

I focused my research using two main criteria: (1) the player must have been born in Ireland, and (2) the player must have a kick-ass Irish name.

So without further ado, here is a list of some of the few Irish-born former professional baseball players with the most kick-ass Irish names.

1) Irish McIlveen

Too obvious? Well, “Irish” was Henry Cooke McIlveen’s nickname given because he was born in Belfast, Ireland. Real creative, guys. Good ‘ol Irish played from 1906-1909 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Highlanders and had a lifetime average of .215 with eight RBI over his 53 game career. I guess Irish lacked the “Luck of the” commonly associated with his native people. Hmm… maybe his nickname negated the whole thing. Poor guy.

2) Jack Doyle

OK, so Jack Doyle would make a lot of belligerent Irish guys pretty proud nowadays. He played from 1889-1905 for 10 teams and finished his career with a respectable .299 batting average, 968 RBI, and 516 stolen bases. I’m Irish and sure, that’s a pretty nice career stat sheet for a homeland guy, but that’s not why he was awesome. Doyle was dubbed the name “Dirty Jack” for his, let’s call it “ill tempered,” style of play. During a game in 1900, he punched out an umpire after being called out on a steal attempt. Doyle Rules!

3) Charles Joseph “Curry” Foley

Curry Foley of Milltown, Ireland was a left-handed pitcher, outfielder, and first basemen who played for the Boston Red Caps and Buffalo Bisons during his four year career from 1879-1883. Although his career was rather short, Foley ingrained himself in the baseball record books by becoming the first player to hit for the cycle on May 25, 1882. I’ll drink to that!

4) Joe “Fire” Cleary

Joe Cleary was the last native of Ireland to play in a Major League game, and it was probably for the best. Born in Cork, Ireland in 1918, Fire pitched in only one inning in his one inning-long career in 1945. The Washington Senators thought it would be a good idea to bring Cleary into the game on one fateful August afternoon only to yank him after retiring one batter. During his third of an inning of work (which turned out to be his playing career’s entire body of work), Fire Cleary managed to allow seven earned runs on five hits and three walks. Currently, Cleary holds the major league record for highest ERA for a pitcher who recorded an out, with a 189.00 ERA. I wonder if “Fire” Cleary’s nickname was given to him before or after that game? Follow-up rhetorical question: I wonder if Cleary celebrated St Paddy’s Day a little late that year?

5) John McGuinness

Mmmm… Guinness…

Our boy Johnny McGuinness played in three seasons, spread out between 1876 and 1884. He played for the New York Mutuals, the Syracuse Stars, and the Philadelphia Keystones. Born in Ireland in 1857, McGuinness mostly played first base. Kind of light on the information for Johnny, but his name is too perfect to leave out of this piece. And now I’m thirsty.

Some other Celts with noteworthy names of kick-ass nature followed by their completely fabricated nickname and actual professional baseball term:

Patsy “Don’t call me that or else” Donovan (1890-1907);

Jocko “Oh the irony” Fields (1887-1892);

Reddy “Guess my hair color” Mack (1885-1890);

Barney “After a few I’ll definitely be” McLaughlin (1884-1890);

Paddy “It’s always sunny in Philly” O’Connor (1908-1918);

Sleeper “If only fantasy baseball existed in the late 1800’s” Sullivan (1881-1884);

and last but gosh-darned certainly not least:

Cyclone “I will fight you like a Cyclone” Ryan (1887-1891).

While these former Irish-American baseball players may not garner the same household recognition as Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth do, I urge you all to raise your glasses this St. Patrick’s Day and salute them.

Because if they were alive and gearing up towards Opening Day like we all are, they’d be raising them to us as well.

Cheers.

Who's Better Than Derek Jeter? I Mean, Really.

Andrew Weaver — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:48:29 -0500

Thank God for Derek Jeter.

Whenever you hear this guy talk, you just feel like everything is going to be okay. In Yankee-land as of late, things have been a little rocky (to say the least), but Derek Jeter's mere presence as the team leader softens the perception of the situation, and fans like I can take a deep breath and know that all is not lost for the 2009 Yankees amidst the latest controversy.

Here's the audio from The Captain's meeting today with the media addressing A-Rod, courtesy of Peter Abraham's (best Yankees beat writer out there in my mind) blog.

It just doesn't get more "real" than Derek Jeter. I mean, talk about a straight-shooting, no BS type of guy. He calls 'em as he sees 'em, and you have to respect that.

He's supportive of his teammate, but doesn't condone his actions.

He stands up for his MLB peers who didn't take steroids but fall under the umbrella of the "Era," and thinks it's unfair to get lumped in with the others who did not go the legit-route.

He never speaks for anyone else except himself, and whenever he's asked about his personal achievements or how he should be viewed in comparison to other players who cheated (and by the way, he doesn't even concede to actually call them "cheaters"), he always brings it back to one thing and one thing only:

Winning.

The sound byte is long, but listen to the first few minutes. Jeter's a class act, any way you slice it, and knowing he's manning the ship makes the outlook for the 2009 season not as dreadful as it's looked in recent weeks.

Who wouldn't want this guy on their team?

We're sure gonna miss him one day.

Who Will Pilot The 2009 New York Jets?

Andrew Weaver — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 02:39:54 -0500

What’s a plane without a pilot? A troublesome situation, and it’s no different for a football team without a quarterback. It must be nice to be a Colts fan or a Steelers fan or even a Giants fan, knowing the most important piece of their football equation is a constant. They know that Peyton, Ben, and Eli will be taking the snaps under center next fall, as they have been for the past several years, and they feel pretty good about that. Having a work-horse running back, a play-making wide receiver, a monstrous defensive end, or a hard-hitting safety are all good and nice, but if there isn’t a formidable quarterback lining up under center on Sunday, a team could be in for a very long day. As of February 15th, 2009, the New York Jets find themselves in such a predicament. The Brett Favre Era came and went like a flash, almost as if it was a dream. But Gang Green must move on and find a long term solution to pilot their fleet to the Promised Land. There are several directions Rex Ryan and the front office will go here, but my gut feeling tells me the Jets’ next starting quarterback is already on the roster. However, the possibilities remain that the Jets may look to sign free agent, make a trade, or draft a rookie. Here are the possibilities:

Begin Slideshow

Top Five Reasons Yankees Fans Should Still Root for Alex Rodriguez

Andrew Weaver — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:23:06 -0500

From engaging in philosophical discussions with die-hard Yankees fans to reading blogs of Yankees beat writers and keeping up with local media, I’ve noticed that a healthy sample of long-time Yankees supporters are completely turning their backs on Alex Rodriguez and his latest headliner.

They’re sick of the mind games and they’re sick of the lies. They’re sick of the attitude and they’re sick of the false-hope. They’re sick of the whole act.

They have become spectators of The Big Apple Circus indeed, and the ring leader wearing the No. 13 jersey is losing his audience.

To those identifying with the above population, I reply: Fair enough.

(I will neither confirm nor deny my inclusion or exclusion from “they,” for this is meant to be an unbiased piece…)

Well, the “Anti A-Rodists” can hum and haw all they want, and although their feelings are certainly justifiable, it’s time to gain some perspective. Should fans be mad? Absolutely. But this is bigger than Alex Rodriguez, and that needs to be clear.

Most importantly, it must be understood that Alex was not alone—he’s just the latest witch to be caught in the hunt.

That being said, here are my Top Five Reasons Yankees fans should still root for A-Rod.

5) He’s not going anywhere, so save yourself the stress.

Hey, remember that 10-year deal he signed in 2007? Yeah, well, it didn’t include any escape clauses for the Yankees to rely on in case “PED-Admission” came up. So, barring retirement or an improbable trade, A-Rod’s here for nine more years. Learn to love the frosted hairdo if you haven’t already!

4) He’s good. Very good.

‘Roids or no ‘roids, Alex is a gifted athlete – maybe the most gifted in the game. Baseball requires much more than sheer power and strength, however, and A-Rod has possessed 5-Tool ability his whole career. Even if he used prior to 2000, which is certainly plausible, he’s been tested numerous times since 2004 without yielding a positive result. A player with two “clean” MVP seasons since 2004 should be welcomed by fans of any team. Plus, those 500 ft. homers are nice to watch.

3) He really, really, really wants to win a World Series.

One thing we like in New York is a winning attitude, and A-Rod does not lack one of those. The only thing missing in A-Rod’s trophy room is that World Series trophy. We’ve all seen Alex upset with himself on the field after a strikeout or pop out in the clutch, so it’s clear he is motivated to win. Can’t knock him for that. (But he damn-well better start delivering after September.)

2) He came clean and had no one to blame but himself.

Yes, he lied to Katie Couric, but what did you expect him to do? Admit a fallacy like that on 60 Minutes? It’s definitely not cool that he lied, but I’ll drink the Kool-Aid when he said to Peter Gammons that he was not being truthful with himself during the Couric interview. Fine. It’s evident Alex has always had personality and self-image issues. But now he’s openly discussing his actions and reasons for them. The Gammons interview is not the end, but he’s currently one of the few players who have been this honest and open to date. Some credit is due here.

1) He dons the Pinstripes.

True fans root for the uniform, not the players who wear them. Unless the Yankees start pulling “Ron Artests” or become linked to Al-Qaeda, a real fan should stay true to the colors. This is not the Yankees fault, and the Yankees represent much more than a roster. They represent not only history of the game, but personal history to many of their fans. Hey, if the Yanks find themselves in a clutch situation and you-know-who steps up to the plate, just close your eyes and pretend its Jeter if it helps.

From a Yankees fan’s perspective, there are more reasons to root for Alex Rodriguez than to root against him, obviously.

He’s on the team, he’s part of the Yankees family, and the Yankees want to win.

Fans want the Yankees to win.

Yankees fans will undoubtedly waste more energy holding a grudge than putting the past behind.

Playing in the same division as Boston and Tampa Bay, who conveniently played in the American League Championship Series in 2008, will command enough fan energy and stress in 2009.

Wouldn’t it be a better idea to root for your life-long team, the Yankees, to win the division than to spend time judging one man on the roster?

These Ain't Your Daddy's Jets

Andrew Weaver — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:27:28 -0500

Next time you’re around a Jets fan, ask them to describe their feelings on the 2008 season in three words or less. Call me psychic, but I predict you will hear one, if not all, of these words: same, old, or Jets.

To most Jets fans, these words are uttered on an annual basis, at minimum. What does “same old Jets” mean, you ask? Well, let me put it this way. Let’s say you have a big family that gets together every year at Thanksgiving, and every year your Uncle Ted shows up and gives you a “noogie".

Now, Uncle Ted has been loyal to this ritual since you were five years old. To him, it “wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without a good ol’ noogie.” Every year you hold out thinking this might be the year Uncle Ted doesn’t embarrass you and actually treats you like the mature, mid-20's professional that you are.

Well, like kegs at a frat party, the Uncle Ted noogie is a given year after year after year.

Being a Jets fan is kind of like that.

Only, the noogie lasts about five months…at least.

Since the Bill Parcells era and about 30 years prior, the Jets have been a pretty sorry excuse for an NFL team. With a historical winning percentage below .500, the Jets franchise hasn’t had much success or accomplishments to hang their hats on.

Super Bowl III is the highlight for the franchise with Joe Namath guaranteeing victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. The Jets followed through and completed the upset in one of the greatest Super Bowls ever played. Aside from that, there isn’t too much to talk about.

Why has the franchise been marred by years of expectation followed by disappoint? Well, it could be a result of putting the wrong guy in the driver’s seat.

After Bill Parcells “retired” from being the Jets head coach, and after Bill Belichick (the Jets' defensive coordinator under Parcells) pulled a Benedict Arnold on the Jets, two head coaches with questionable experience were put in place over the course of eight years. Forget about Al Groh for now.

Herman Edwards and Eric Mangini certainly had some differences from a coaching perspective, but one thing they had in common was a lack of ability to build a consistent winner.

Another commonality between the two coaches was their knack for giving Jets fans recurring reasons to clamor that three-word phrase after questionable play-calls, losses, and season collapses (see 2008).

With the hiring of Rex Ryan, Jets nation once again has hope.

Ryan comes to the Jets with not only a decade’s worth of experience constructing one of the most dominant defenses of this generation in the Baltimore Ravens. He also comes with a family tie as well.

His father, former Eagles and Cardinals head coach Buddy Ryan, served on the coaching staff of the Super Bowl III Champion Jets.

Maybe this is a sign.

Buddy Ryan, known primarily as a defensive specialist and innovator, invented the "46” Defense, which was used exclusively by the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears.

Rex, following in the footsteps of his father, is also recognized for his innovative thinking on the football field. In addition, he has been responsible for building and directing the most feared defense in the NFL. Known for using individual players strength’s in his defensive schemes, Rex Ryan’s philosophy may be just what the Jets need to build a consistent winner.

Yes, he is a former defensive coordinator with next to no head coaching experience, but his bloodline and resume are stronger than most. Plus, the product he has put on the field speaks for itself.

Some accuse Ryan of being too much of a “player’s coach". To believers of that sentiment, please refer to Joe Torre and most recently, Tom Coughlin. They seemed to do OK under that label.

In addition, the Jets have a number of veteran leaders like Thomas Jones, Kris Jenkins, and Alan Faneca who understand what it takes to win and can set examples for younger teammates.

Working with a player-oriented, defensive-minded innovator like Rex Ryan could be just what the New York Jets need to find that identity they have lacked for quite some time.

The Jets team that Rex Ryan is inheriting has not shown many similarities to the Super Bowl winners his father Buddy coached in the late 60’s, but the new Ryan in town is hoping to fix that.

For years, Jets fans have been picked up only to be thrown down a short time thereafter. It’s been the “same old” story.

Hiring Rex Ryan shows a commitment to trying something “different” and “new”. The Jets’ franchise is hoping Ryan can exercise some Super Bowl ghosts and show Jets fans why they should throw their three-word phrase away for good.

After all, Rex did say he plans on meeting President Obama in his first term.

Kenny Britt Breaks Out

Andrew Weaver — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:18:22 -0500

Rutgers’ junior wide receiver Kenny Britt has recently decided to skip his senior year and test the waters of the NFL this spring. After becoming the Big East’s all-time receiving yards leader during the Papajohns.com bowl, it is hard to argue this All-American has anything left to prove.

Although many Rutgers fans wish they could have convinced him otherwise, going pro is what Kenny decided, and it’s what happens to big-time college programs (something Rutgers is actively trying to become). Yes, it would be great to have All-American caliber players stick around for all four years of their eligibility, but how can anyone be upset when your team produces first and second round talent for the NFL Draft as underclassmen?

Like Ray Rice before him, Kenny is leaving Rutgers on perhaps the highest note possible, a bowl victory and pockets full of records. Kenny Britt’s 2008 season spring-boarded him not only to the top of the Rutgers record books but also placed him in an elite class of former Big East receivers.

Britt leaves the “Banks of the Old Raritan” as the Scarlet Knights’ leader in the following categories:

Career receiving yards – 3,043
Career TD receptions – 17 (tie)
Consecutive 100-yard games – five
Career 100-yard games – 14
Single season receiving yards – 1,371 (2008)
Single season receptions – 87 (2008)

His career receiving yards are now the high-water mark in Big East history, and he tied former Pittsburgh Panther, now Arizona Cardinals all-pro wide receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, for career 100-yard receiving games in conference history with fourteen. Not bad company I’d say.

So Kenny Britt set some Rutgers and Big East records. “Big deal,” some might say. Well, just for good measure, Kenny finished the year averaging 114.2 receiving yards per game, good for No. 2 in the nation.

After this type of career and this All-American worthy season, going pro would be a no-brainer, right? Who wouldn’t bolt for a multi-million dollar contract and the chance to play football at the highest level in the world?

Well, Kenny Britt doesn’t only possess an insane amount of talent but good character as well. He and his family met with Coach Greg Schiano for hours pining over the decision. Kenny’s father graduated from Rutgers and Kenny had a difficult time deciding between completing his degree or leaving school early.

In the end, the draw of the NFL proved to be too tempting to resist. But how could anyone blame him? It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and a dream come true for so many players, and there is no telling how long that door will remain open.

Rutgers fans should be thankful for the three years Kenny Britt gave to the program. Whenever a crucial first down was needed or when a touchdown would have changed a game, Kenny Britt was there.

If he can be half as productive in the NFL as he was during his time at Rutgers, Kenny Britt is going to make one team and an entire fan base extremely happy. He certainly did that for Rutgers.

Better Execution. Better Play-making. Schiano Football.

Andrew Weaver — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:20:06 -0500

During ESPN’s telecast of the 2008 Papajohns.com Bowl on Monday, the pizza chef-turned entrepreneur, Papa John Schattner, joined the announcers in the booth for an interview.

Papa John enlightened viewers on how he took his business from serving pizzas in a bar to opening over 3,000 restaurants worldwide.

During the early years of his business, he faced obstacles and hardships that could have hindered his long-term goals and disrupted his business plans. However, he was able to maintain his composure, perfect his recipe, and grow his business to what it is today.

The same could be said about the 2008 Rutgers Scarlet Knights, who lost five of their first six games before winning their final seven.

Preseason expectations were high for the Scarlet Knights, even after the loss of key players like Ray Rice (Ravens), who finished third in the nation in rushing yards in 2007, starting offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah (Buccaneers), and starting defensive tackle and team motivator Eric Foster (Colts).

With fifth year senior quarterback Mike Teel and proven wide receivers Kenny Britt, Tiquan Underwood, and Timmy Brown all returning, the 2008 offense figured to be as potent as 2007, with a sharper focus on the passing game.

An experienced offense paired with an aggressive, hard-nosed Greg Schiano defense was expected to position Rutgers as a legitimate contender for a Big East title.

Well, if the Scarlet Knights’ first six games were like a pizza pie, the shape of the pie may still have been round, but the ingredients were expired, rotten, and moldy.

Who would want to eat that?

(That’s not to say Papa John’s pizza isn’t delicious, because I’ve had it and trust me, it is.)

Rather, if you encountered a problem with an order and received some bad customer feedback, would you close up shop? Maybe you would if you were a quitter or if you didn’t believe in the long-term business plan. Papa John and Rutgers alike were not quitters.

So, as Rutgers had to deal with some “quality control” issues earlier in the season, Schiano and his Scarlet Knights never let these issues affect their future performance. Instead, they stayed the course, found the best ingredients, and cooked up a winning recipe from Game Seven forward.

In fact, I think Zagat’s rated it the best dish in its Big East Football Dining Guide (Strangely, sales of this edition struggled outside of the “State of Rutgers”).

How would one duplicate this dish? Well, here is a brief list of the “known” ingredients that made it so popular (all averages during the seven game win streak):

1) Have at least 22 hungry athletes ready to stomp opposing team;

2) Place 321 Mike Teel passing yards to 129 Kenny Britt receiving yards into a bowl;

3) Add 3.1 passing touchdowns and one Kenny Britt receiving touchdown and stir;

4) While stirring, carefully sprinkle 140 rushing yards to bowl, and one dash of a rushing touchdown;

5) Once you have done so, periodically add 2.7 sacks and one interception to the mix and stir;

6) Place bowl on HIGH HEAT for 60 minutes; and

7) Serve piping hot and enjoy!

Thanks to Chef Schiano and his staff, Rutgers has now served seven customers nationwide. Their most recent satisfied customer was the Wolfpack of N.C. State in the Papajohns.com Bowl whom Rutgers defeated 29-23.

Knowing that one more loss would have all-but-guaranteed the Knights a long December of non-football related activities, Rutgers exhibited a praiseworthy amount of resilience and strength by defeating their last seven opponents.

At the close of the 2008 season, the Scarlet Knights reached a record of 8-5 and joined a group of only six other teams in college football history to begin a season with a 1-5 record and earn a bid to a bowl game. All things considered, this type of turnaround is a commendable achievement for any type of team.

As for Rutgers’ recipe for success in 2009, it will undoubtedly feature some new ingredients. However, if Greg Schiano can mix together something similar to what he cooked up for the second half of 2008, he better prepare it in August and make enough to last the entire fall.

Is Rutgers the Hottest Team in College Football?

Andrew Weaver — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:44:25 -0500

As Week 14 of the 2008 college football season is set to begin, only six teams from BCS conferences are currently riding winning streaks of five or more games (streak): Alabama (11), Florida (7), USC (7), Oregon State (6), Oklahoma (5), and Rutgers (5). Five of those six teams share one thing in common: a BCS ranking of 17th or better.

Hmm. That sentence makes me think of a song I once heard. I think it went something like, “One of these things is not like the other...” Bet you can’t guess who is excluded from the rankings!

Well, unless you thought it was the fall of 2006 or something, the obvious answer would be Rutgers. Once the not-so-proud owners of a 1-5 record, the Scarlet Knights have bounced back from college football oblivion to become bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive year.

The beginning of the 2008 season was not only bad from an overall record perspective, but from a league perspective, too. The Scarlet Knights dropped their first three games to Fresno State, North Carolina, and Navy.

After trouncing Championship Subdivision team Morgan State in its fourth game, Rutgers continued on its path towards irrelevance by losing to West Virginia and Cincinnati.

It was just the halfway point of the season, and the 1-5 Scarlet Knights were staring directly into the face of bowl ineligibility, as well as an 0-2 Big East record with five league games to go.

“Twelve One-Game Seasons”

In 2008, this phrase has been referred to game after game, interview after interview by Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. It’s been his mantra to take things one game at a time and never look too far ahead. Focus on the upcoming game and prepare your tail off, and results will follow.

Maybe it took six or seven weeks for the entire Scarlet Knights team, coaches included, to grasp this concept, but since Week Seven, this concept has appeared to pay healthy dividends.

After squeaking by Big East rival Connecticut on their homecoming weekend by a score of 12-10, Rutgers has been smooth sailing to their current 6-5 record, leaving a path of destruction behind them and taking no prisoners along the way.

In their last four games, the Scarlet Knights’ points totals are as follows: 54, 35, 49, and 30. That’s 168 points, or 42 points per game. Okay, so why is that important? Well, take Rutgers’ points totals the first seven games: 7, 12, 21, 38, 17, 10, and 12. That’s 117 points in seven games, roughly 17 points per game.

Jumping from an average of 17 to 42 points is quite a margin by any measure, so it’s no surprise Rutgers is emerging with victories week after week with this type of production.

So why may Rutgers be the hottest team? Well, if “hot” can be defined by win streaks of five or more and points per game differential from the first seven games versus the last four games, here is where these streaky teams stack up.

Team: First seven games PPG / Last four games PPG / Differential (+/-) / Percentage Change (+/-)

Alabama: 32 / 31 / -1 / -5 percent

Florida: 42 / 54 / +12 / +29 percent

USC: 38 / 39* / +1 / +4 percent

Oregon State: 35 / 29 / -6 / -18 percent

Oklahoma: 47 / 63 / +16 / +34 percent

RUTGERS: 17 / 42 / +25 / +151 percent

By this metric, Rutgers is emitting liquid hot MAGMA-like heat, while some of its peers are keeping a pretty warm campfire close by.

This is not to say Rutgers is the best team on this list—not by a long shot. But when you look at it this way, Rutgers is playing miles above how it was in its first seven games, as evidenced by their offensive output in the past four weeks. They’ve more than doubled their point totals.

In an ideal world, a team would ride a hot streak from the beginning of the year right on through the end, steamrolling any opponent who dared stand in the way. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way for Rutgers in the first half, but now the Scarlet Knights have taken care of business and posted a modest 6-5 overall record and a very respectable 4-2 Big East record, with one game left.

With a win in Piscataway against Louisville on Thursday, Dec. 4, the Scarlet Knights can keep their fire burning right through the holidays and look to scorch their next opponent in their once-thought highly improbable fourth consecutive bowl appearance.

* USC has only played 10 games, so this number is the average of their last three games.