Rutges is playing in its first bowl game since 1978. Arizona State is playing in its backyard and should be able to take advantage of some home cooking for the Insight Bowl.
Arizona State Offense vs. Rutgers Defense
Arizona State will rely heavily on two freshmen. QB Rudy Carpenter has played very well since taking over for injured starter Sam Keller and RB Keegan Herring holds the school record for rushing yards by a freshman (791). While the Sun Devils run a balanced offense, look for Carpenter to come out throwing in an effort to open up the running game for Herring. Carpenter is making good decisions, and he has been extremely efficient so there isn't as much concern about turning the ball over as there would be with most freshman quarterbacks. Arizona State should also insure Carpenter has enough time by running some max-protect schemes that give their offensive tackles help against Rutgers' relentless DE Ryan Neill.
Throwing early will get an aggressive Rutgers defensive front flying upfield, making it vulnerable to delayed hand offs as well as draws. Herring has adequate vision; he cuts well and he shows good burst through the hole so he should be able to take advantage when the Scarlet Knights get caught too far upfield. It's also important to note that throwing early could produce a lead that forces Rutgers to abandon the run, which is the strength of its offense.
Rutgers Offense vs. Arizona State Defense
QB Ryan Hart is accurate and has adequate arm strength, but he has thrown four interceptions over the past two games. With this game being in Phoenix, it's basically another home game for the Sun Devils. The noise level will make it difficult for Hart to adjust the protection as well as use hard counts to keep the defensive line off balance. As a result, Rutgers should continue to show a strong commitment to the run.
Freshman RB Ray Rice and backup Brian Leonard give Rutgers an excellent one-two punch in the backfield and they complement each other well. Although the Scarlet Knights use multiple formations, one of the ways they will try to keep the Sun Devils off balance is lining both in the backfield at the same time. That doesn't bode well for an Arizona State run defense that has been average at best, but the Sun Devils do have the Pac-10 co-Defensive Player of the Year in MLB Dale Robinson. A strong game from Robinson could force Rutgers to throw more often than it would prefer.
Special Teams
Arizona State PR/KOR Terry Richardson has returned two punts for touchdowns this year and he is a dangerous open field runner that will take advantage of any breakdowns in Rutgers' cover units. PK Jesse Ainsworth has been dependable connecting on 8-of-10 field-goal attempts with his two misses coming from beyond 40 yards. Ainsworth has also been the team's punter since the Washington game. He doesn't have great leg strength but he is accurate.
Scarlet Knights PK Jeremy Ito has connected on 16-of-23 field goal attempts. He has been fairly accurate on field-goal attempts inside 40 yards and he connected on a 51-yard field goal attempt earlier this year. P Joe Radigan is averaging 38.8 yards per punt and he has placed 15 of his 57 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Arizona State ROT Andrew Carnahan vs. Rutgers DE Ryan Neill
2. Rutgers RB Ray Rice vs. Arizona State MLB Dale Robinson
3. Arizona State WR Derek Hagan vs. DC Corey Barnes
Scouts' Edge
While both teams are depending on freshmen to play well, this is Rutgers' first bowl appearance since 1978 and they have to play in Arizona State's backyard. Expect the Sun Devils to take advantage of these two facts and attack early. While Rutgers' pass rush has been impressive this year, Carpenter has been outstanding and Rutgers' secondary doesn't match up well with Arizona State's receivers, especially Hagan. As a result, look for the Sun Devils to jump out to an early lead and then control the clock by consistently handing the ball to Herring.
Prediction: Arizona State 28, Rutgers 17
Arizona State Offense vs. Rutgers Defense
Arizona State will rely heavily on two freshmen. QB Rudy Carpenter has played very well since taking over for injured starter Sam Keller and RB Keegan Herring holds the school record for rushing yards by a freshman (791). While the Sun Devils run a balanced offense, look for Carpenter to come out throwing in an effort to open up the running game for Herring. Carpenter is making good decisions, and he has been extremely efficient so there isn't as much concern about turning the ball over as there would be with most freshman quarterbacks. Arizona State should also insure Carpenter has enough time by running some max-protect schemes that give their offensive tackles help against Rutgers' relentless DE Ryan Neill.
Throwing early will get an aggressive Rutgers defensive front flying upfield, making it vulnerable to delayed hand offs as well as draws. Herring has adequate vision; he cuts well and he shows good burst through the hole so he should be able to take advantage when the Scarlet Knights get caught too far upfield. It's also important to note that throwing early could produce a lead that forces Rutgers to abandon the run, which is the strength of its offense.
Rutgers Offense vs. Arizona State Defense
QB Ryan Hart is accurate and has adequate arm strength, but he has thrown four interceptions over the past two games. With this game being in Phoenix, it's basically another home game for the Sun Devils. The noise level will make it difficult for Hart to adjust the protection as well as use hard counts to keep the defensive line off balance. As a result, Rutgers should continue to show a strong commitment to the run.
Freshman RB Ray Rice and backup Brian Leonard give Rutgers an excellent one-two punch in the backfield and they complement each other well. Although the Scarlet Knights use multiple formations, one of the ways they will try to keep the Sun Devils off balance is lining both in the backfield at the same time. That doesn't bode well for an Arizona State run defense that has been average at best, but the Sun Devils do have the Pac-10 co-Defensive Player of the Year in MLB Dale Robinson. A strong game from Robinson could force Rutgers to throw more often than it would prefer.
Special Teams
Arizona State PR/KOR Terry Richardson has returned two punts for touchdowns this year and he is a dangerous open field runner that will take advantage of any breakdowns in Rutgers' cover units. PK Jesse Ainsworth has been dependable connecting on 8-of-10 field-goal attempts with his two misses coming from beyond 40 yards. Ainsworth has also been the team's punter since the Washington game. He doesn't have great leg strength but he is accurate.
Scarlet Knights PK Jeremy Ito has connected on 16-of-23 field goal attempts. He has been fairly accurate on field-goal attempts inside 40 yards and he connected on a 51-yard field goal attempt earlier this year. P Joe Radigan is averaging 38.8 yards per punt and he has placed 15 of his 57 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Arizona State ROT Andrew Carnahan vs. Rutgers DE Ryan Neill
2. Rutgers RB Ray Rice vs. Arizona State MLB Dale Robinson
3. Arizona State WR Derek Hagan vs. DC Corey Barnes
Scouts' Edge
While both teams are depending on freshmen to play well, this is Rutgers' first bowl appearance since 1978 and they have to play in Arizona State's backyard. Expect the Sun Devils to take advantage of these two facts and attack early. While Rutgers' pass rush has been impressive this year, Carpenter has been outstanding and Rutgers' secondary doesn't match up well with Arizona State's receivers, especially Hagan. As a result, look for the Sun Devils to jump out to an early lead and then control the clock by consistently handing the ball to Herring.
Prediction: Arizona State 28, Rutgers 17
