Rutgers football is 3-0 and is preparing for a trip to the Big House against No. 2 Michigan. The Scarlet Knights have won three game in a row against FBS competition for the first time since 2014. Two years removed from a 20-13 loss to the Wolverines, expect RU to head to Ann Arbor with confidence.
There are several reasons why Rutgers has won comfortably in all three games this season. The Scarlet Knights are limiting mistakes and making opponents pay for their own.
While the offense hasn’t been the most efficient, they’ve come through in key spots. It’s why they’re tied for 33rd nationally with a 47.8% third down conversion rate.
When Rutgers let opponents get within one score in the fourth quarter over the past two games, Rutgers has then outscored them 37-0.
It’s also important to acknowledge the progress made for the program in beating three former Big East foes three seasons in a row. Rutgers was 20-62-2 all-time against Syracuse, Boston College and Virginia Tech before 2020. Since Greg Schiano returned, the Scarlet Knoghts are now 3-0 against them. It’s further proof that the idea Rutgers joining the Big Ten is the worst conference realignment move ever is completely false.
Topics on the latest episode of The Scarlet Faithful podcast include Rutgers the coaching staff being at a high level this season, the team’s newfound ability to come through in clutch moments, the benefits of being in the Big Ten showing on the field, hope for the future and more.
Listen and watch below.
Audio
Video
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Let it out, Aaron. Let it all out! I couldn’t agree more with your “rant”. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a Rutgers grad (my sons are) but I’m a wholehearted supporter of the athletic program for the last 20 yrs. As such, I’ve been perplexed at times by what I think may be a beaten down attitude of many Rutgers followers, most of whom I assume are grads. From my perspective, you have to judge Rutgers primarily through an objective analysis of how far the athletic program has progressed since it’s been part of the BIG TEN. Can anyone seriously deny that, with the exception of football, Rutgers is top tier conference competitive in the majority of sports it competes in? The fact that most of the media chooses to live in the past and continue to think of Rutgers as inferior doesn’t mean that Rutgers fans have to do the same. So, let’s not get caught up in negativity when it comes to evaluating this season’s football team.
Let’s talk about Schiano 2.0. Forget about perceived flaws in the coach that was Schiano 1.0. Since he left Rutgers, this man has coached at the pro level and been a defensive coordinator at OSU under a recognized outstanding collegiate head football coach in Urban Meyers. Surely he learned something from his unsuccessful pro experience about organizational skills and about recruiting and collegiate program building at OSU under Meyers. The proof of Schiano’s growth, as far as I’m concerned, can be found here in year four of his return. The coaching staff is experienced and ideal to carry out his vision of a “developmental” program. The athletes he’s been bringing in are bigger, faster and more athletic – BIG TEN bigger, faster and more athletic! Personally, I think he may be a year ahead of where I thought he would be. I don’t give a damn about what The Athletic, ESPN or Sporting News say! I watch, like you do, and I see a team that’s solid on defense, special teams and improving on offense. If not this season, then by next season, we should have an solid offense to complement the other units. If you don’t see that, then you’re stuck in the past. There’s a sleeping giant awakening in BIG TEN athletics. To the doubters and nitpickers, I say, wake up before you miss it!
pj43
September 19, 2023 at 3:29 pm
Let it out, Aaron. Let it all out! I couldn’t agree more with your “rant”. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a Rutgers grad (my sons are) but I’m a wholehearted supporter of the athletic program for the last 20 yrs. As such, I’ve been perplexed at times by what I think may be a beaten down attitude of many Rutgers followers, most of whom I assume are grads. From my perspective, you have to judge Rutgers primarily through an objective analysis of how far the athletic program has progressed since it’s been part of the BIG TEN. Can anyone seriously deny that, with the exception of football, Rutgers is top tier conference competitive in the majority of sports it competes in? The fact that most of the media chooses to live in the past and continue to think of Rutgers as inferior doesn’t mean that Rutgers fans have to do the same. So, let’s not get caught up in negativity when it comes to evaluating this season’s football team.
Let’s talk about Schiano 2.0. Forget about perceived flaws in the coach that was Schiano 1.0. Since he left Rutgers, this man has coached at the pro level and been a defensive coordinator at OSU under a recognized outstanding collegiate head football coach in Urban Meyers. Surely he learned something from his unsuccessful pro experience about organizational skills and about recruiting and collegiate program building at OSU under Meyers. The proof of Schiano’s growth, as far as I’m concerned, can be found here in year four of his return. The coaching staff is experienced and ideal to carry out his vision of a “developmental” program. The athletes he’s been bringing in are bigger, faster and more athletic – BIG TEN bigger, faster and more athletic! Personally, I think he may be a year ahead of where I thought he would be. I don’t give a damn about what The Athletic, ESPN or Sporting News say! I watch, like you do, and I see a team that’s solid on defense, special teams and improving on offense. If not this season, then by next season, we should have an solid offense to complement the other units. If you don’t see that, then you’re stuck in the past. There’s a sleeping giant awakening in BIG TEN athletics. To the doubters and nitpickers, I say, wake up before you miss it!
There you go, Aaron. That’s my rant.