Rutgers are actually a workforce in flux proper now. Whether or not or not you actually consider that the Scarlet Knights underneath Greg Schiano have advanced as a workforce is totally up for interpretation. Whereas the Scarlet Knights achieved their best-ever report in over a decade, it nonetheless seems like child steps as Schiano enters his pivotal fifth yr with the workforce. Now, with one of many extra daunting convention slates in latest Large Ten reminiscence, the Scarlet Knights might both be in for a impolite awakening or stun the world with continued and regular inside enchancment.
2024 in Assessment
Rutger’s 2024 was turbulent, however virtually actually not a disappointment. To attain the escape act they did whereas reaching bowl eligibility was truly fairly spectacular. Contemplating how they began off, shedding a number of items on each side of the ball, to start out off 4-0 was excess of they might have imagined. Then got here the topsy-turvy half. 4 straight losses, three inside the convention, noticed them head into the bye week, in search of solutions and reinforcements for a number of injured gamers.
Popping out on the opposite facet was a Rutgers squad given new life. A win over Minnesota. A win over Maryland to clinch a bowl berth. Then, in all probability probably the most Rutgers sport of final yr. Up by one with 4 seconds left, and Illinois on their 40-yard line, they gave up a last-gasp landing to lose a heartbreaker on the highway. It was an encapsulation of all issues that went proper and flawed for the Scarlet Knights. So, after all, depart it to them to complete their common season with a powerful win over Michigan State to shut out their greatest season and win whole in over a decade.
Total, it wasn’t fairly, nevertheless it was a profitable report and was a continuation of the regular progress Schiano has made with this roster.
Head Coach Profile
To say that Greg Schiano has made the proper type of progress for Rutgers is an understatement. Whether or not he can make them a full-on revitalization stays to be seen. Whereas in his second stint with the Scarlet Knights, he has began off fairly much like his first, producing 9 NFL gamers on this present span within the course of. Nonetheless, in some unspecified time in the future, 7-5 will not be sufficient for a Scarlet Knights program that feels prepared to show the web page. He has 5 extra years with this system to point out he’s the appropriate man for the job. Now he has to show it constantly.
This 2025 season particularly seems like a marker for him. The schedule is an absolute gauntlet with no gimmes within the slightest. Whereas a 7-5 end on this hellhole of a season can be well-earned and deserved, it can largely rely upon the way it’s executed and, most significantly, who their wins are in opposition to. Search for Schiano to be hyper-focused on placing wins on the board throughout convention play.
High Offensive Participant
Whereas Athan Kaliakmanis was probably the most regular QBs of this present Schiano period final yr, and the passing assault gained new life, Ian Robust virtually turned a celebrity earlier than our very eyes. In a younger huge receiver room, he began to separate himself from the pack in an offense that will turn out to be extra pass-oriented this yr with the lack of bell cow Kyle Monangai. In simply his second full season as a starter, the transformed receiver did issues no different Rutgers receiver has executed in numerous years.
For one, there was the receiving touchdowns in 4 straight video games, not executed since 2010 by a Rutgers receiver. In a loaded receiver convention, he someway ranked tenth with 15.7 yards per reception. And in Rutgers’ bowl sport, he was probably the most spectacular receiver, maybe between each groups, with simply 5 receptions however for 105 yards. The junior is able to catapult his identify into the annals of Rutgers historical past with one other stellar, doubtlessly All-Large Ten season.
High Defensive Participant
This Rutgers protection might actually carry it to extra victories than anticipated this season, however it can actually should depend on depth. And if Greg Schiano depends on this younger man very similar to he did final yr, chances are high it can repay.
Kaj Sanders as a real freshman made a superb type of historical past final yr. He turned simply the second true freshman ever to start out a season opener for Greg Schiano. That simply speaks to the extent of belief Schiano is putting in sure athletes and with Sanders, it seems to be like it’s already beginning to bear fruit. Sanders in highschool wasn’t even a defensive participant both. For NJ powerhouse Bergen Catholic, he was their star working again, speeding for over 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. Thus, his transition from working again to security was ever extra unimaginable.
The change instantly paid off, as he totaled 43 tackles and 4 go breakups in simply six begins. If he wasn’t Rutgers’ greatest defensive participant final yr, he’ll virtually actually be simply that this yr.
2025 Schedule Preview
Aug. 28 (Thursday) vs. OhioSept. 6 vs. Miami OHSept. 13 vs. Norfolk StateSept. 19 (Friday) vs. IowaSept. 27 at MinnesotaOct. 10 (Friday) at WashingtonOct. 18 vs. OregonOct. 25 at PurdueNov. 1 at IllinoisNov. 8 vs. MarylandNov. 22 at Ohio StateNov. 29 vs. Penn State
It is one factor to talk glowingly of what we might count on from Rutgers this season after main steps ahead. It is fairly one other if you truly take a look at who they are going to be taking part in. In truth, each sport outdoors of perhaps Ohio and Norfolk State to start out the season shall be an enormous take a look at. Iowa is not any straightforward begin to their convention slate and its all downhill from there.
They should welcome a CFP squad in Oregon three quick weeks later, however that is not all. Two weeks after, they journey to Champaign to go to an impassioned Illinois squad who this time will not wish to depart it until late this time round. However the video games each Scarlet Knights fan are fretting are the again to again gauntlets the place they’ve go to each Ohio State within the Shoe and maybe probably the most skilled Large Ten workforce in Penn State rolls into city. Dealing with Jeremiah Smith is one factor to finish your season. However to have a Penn State machine roll into your own home to finish the season is sort of daunting.
Like I stated above, if someway Schiano’s crew come out on the opposite facet a bowl squad, they may have earned it.
