Rutgers Football 2011 Schedule: Game-By-Game Breakdown
After five consecutive winning seasons between 2005 and 2009, Rutgers football really let its fans down with a 4-8 campaign in 2010.
Arguably, the most disappointing part was finishing a pitiful 1-6 in the Big East.
While the events that transpired on the field for the Scarlet Knights were terribly depressing, the team did a complete 180 when it came to building for next year.
Rutgers ended up with a recruiting class that was 32nd in the nation, the best recruiting class in school history.
Filling holes in the lineup with top recruits at running back, quarterback and offensive line, just to name a few, has largely restored the fans' confidence in the team for next season.
2011 looks to resemble 2010 in that the Big East should be wide open, with no clear preseason favorite among the conference’s eight teams.
Does RU finally have the pieces of the puzzle to earn its first Big East title? Diehard fans would certainly tell you this is the year the Knights shine.
Whether or not that is the case, let us give the upcoming season a game-by-game look.
Bear in mind that Rutgers, along with the rest of the Big East, has not finalized when it will play each divisional opponent at this time.
For that reason, the Big East opponents will be alphabetically designated to each “to be announced” spot on the schedule.
North Carolina Central Eagles (MEAC)
1 of 12
When: September 1st
Where: Home
Opponent’s 2010 record: 3-8, going 0-2 in the MEAC
The Winner Is...Rutgers by a blowout. Both teams are criticized for scheduling easy opponents in their opening game, but NCCU is simply out of its league in this one.
North Carolina Tar Heels (ACC)
2 of 12
When: September 10th
Where: North Carolina
Opponent’s 2010 record: 8-5, defeating Tennessee in an exciting 30-27 double-overtime win in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.
The Winner Is...Rutgers in a tight one. Although the Knights are just 1-2 against NC in the past four years, Rutgers has improved dramatically this offseason. North Carolina cannot honestly say the same and only won 17-13 in 2010.
Cincinnati Bearcats (Big East)
3 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Home
Opponent’s 2010 record: 4-8, 2-5 Big East, after an undefeated regular season in 2009, easily walking away with the Big East title.
The Winner Is...Cincinnati. The Bearcats have had Rutgers' number in recent years with a 5-1 record since 2005. Even in an off year in 2010, Cincy embarrassed RU in a 69-38 blowout.
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Ohio Bobcats (MAC)
4 of 12
When: September 24th
Where: Home
Opponent’s 2010 record: 8-5, with the season ending on a low note, as the Bobcats got blown out by Troy at the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
The Winner Is...Rutgers. These teams have only faced off once in the Greg Schiano era, with RU winning 24-10 in their 2006 meeting. Expect the Scarlet Knights to prevail behind the support of the Piscataway crowd.
Connecticut Huskies (Big East)
5 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Connecticut
Opponent’s 2010 record: 8-5, concluding by getting decimated by seventh-ranked in the nation Oklahoma in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, with a final score of 48-20.
The Winner Is...Rutgers. UConn is one of the few Big East opponents RU has consistently fared well against the past several years, with a 5-2 record since 2004. Rutgers defeated UConn with dramatic comebacks late in the game in both 2009 and 2010.
Louisville Cardinals (Big East)
6 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Louisville
Opponent’s 2010 record: 7-6, finishing the regular season by crushing RU 40-13 and carrying the momentum over to the St. Petersburg Bowl. The Cardinals defeated Southern Mississippi 31-28 in their postseason bid.
The Winner Is...Rutgers, although this one can go either way. The squads are 3-3 against one another since 2005, and both had equally impressive recruiting classes this offseason. Expect a late score to decide this one.
Navy Midshipmen (FBS Independent)
7 of 12
When: October 15th
Where: Home
Opponent’s 2010 record: A quality 9-4 campaign, although the Midshipmen ran out of gas at the Poinsettia Bowl, getting crushed by San Diego State 35-14.
The Winner Is...Rutgers. Between 2003 and 2008, Rutgers is 4-2 against Navy. After giving the game away in a 23-21 loss in 2008, RU will be looking for redemption.
Pittsburgh Panthers (Big East)
8 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Home
Opponent’s 2010 record: 8-5; the Panthers had a decent year, ending with a 27-10 victory over Kentucky in the BBVA Compass Bowl. The Panthers came up short against top-tier competition, losing to the likes of Miami, Notre Dame and West Virginia.
The Winner Is...Rutgers. Rutgers is only 4-6 against Pittsburgh since Greg Schiano took over but is 4-2 since 2005. The Knights have lost to the Panthers the past two years, but the departure of both Dave Wannstedt and Frank Cignetti (now with RU) will play a big role in this one.
Syracuse Orange (Big East)
9 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Syracuse
Opponent’s 2010 record: 8-5, far exceeding anyone’s preseason predictions. Their season ended with a victory in the Pinstripe Bowl against Kansas State, winning 36-34 after a controversial touchdown celebration penalty against the Wildcats.
The Winner Is...Syracuse. Rutgers is 5-5 against the Orange in the Greg Schiano era, recently getting upset in 2009 and losing a tight one in 2010. While RU dominated Syracuse between 2005 and 2008, it appears as if the tide has turned for now.
South Florida Bulls (Big East)
10 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Home
Opponent’s 2010 record: 8-5, including a 31-26 win over Clemson in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Despite a winning record, USF went just 3-4 in the Big East.
The Winner Is...Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are 4-2 against the Bulls since they joined the Big East in 2005. RU was becoming the Bulls’ Achilles heel, winning four straight before losing in 2010, largely due to a horrible offensive play call from RU’s own end zone. The end result saw the Bulls notch a safety and then hold on for a 28-27 victory. Expect Rutgers to continue its dominance here.
Army Black Knights (FBS Independent)
11 of 12
When: November 12th
Where: Yankee Stadium (Bronx, NY)
Opponent’s 2010 record: 7-6, compiling a winning season by defeating Southern Methodist 16-14 at the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.
The Winner Is...Rutgers. RU is 6-0 against Army the past decade, including a dramatic 23-20 overtime win last season against one of the best Army teams in a while.
West Virginia Mountaineers (Big East)
12 of 12
When: TBA
Where: Home
Opponent’s 2010 record: 9-4, coming up short against North Carolina State at the Champs Sports Bowl. This was the Mountaineers' second consecutive postseason loss, dropping the 2010 Gator Bowl to Florida State.
The Winner Is...West Virginia. Every true Rutgers fan knows RU has not beaten the Mountaineers since 1994. Ouch. Every year is supposed to look like the year the Scarlet Knights have the advantage, and 2011 is no different.
WVU is losing Noel Devine, Jock Sanders and Brandon Hogan to the NFL draft, to name a few. Still, perennial BCS bowl contender West Virginia should maintain its dominance over the Knights in 2011.
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