All,
I have been reading some good feedback from all of you on both sides of this game. At a minimum, it should be a good game to watch...
I agree with all of you that this line is fishy and begs the experienced capper to go with Rutgers on this one. I also like the record Cie is having with the unranked home dog system - I've been tailing that all year.
Anyway, I can't help but get one thing out of my mind on this game. Many of you continue to comment on Ray Rice's performance against USF last year as a main factor. Also, many have made comments about Rice starting to cacth on fire.
In looking at the difference between last year and this year, one key item sticks out to me...Brian Leonard is now playing on Sundays. Rice had a great season behind Leonard last year. I am not taking anything away from Rice's ability but his numbers have suffered compared to last year in this regard.
If you look at Rice's stats this year, he has done well against Syracuse, Buffalo and Navy. none of which are top-tier defenses. He has struggled against Cincy and Maryland which are more consistent on the defensive side of the ball.
USF is quite good on defense and hasn't given up a 100+ yd. rushing game to anyone since Rice last year (a span of 14 games).
So, for those of you that bring up the argument that USF hasn't faced a passing game like Rutgers all year, I agree. But we all know that in order to establish a passing game, a decent run game must be established. I could honestly see this game getting one dimensional for Rutgers if they can't establish the run early. And without Leonard in the lineup, I have my doubts that Rice will be very effective early.
I was on the Rutgers bandwagon last year too...but I don't see where they'll be able to keep this one close given the strength of defense for USF.
I'd like to hear all of your feedback on this. Thanks!
I have been reading some good feedback from all of you on both sides of this game. At a minimum, it should be a good game to watch...
I agree with all of you that this line is fishy and begs the experienced capper to go with Rutgers on this one. I also like the record Cie is having with the unranked home dog system - I've been tailing that all year.
Anyway, I can't help but get one thing out of my mind on this game. Many of you continue to comment on Ray Rice's performance against USF last year as a main factor. Also, many have made comments about Rice starting to cacth on fire.
In looking at the difference between last year and this year, one key item sticks out to me...Brian Leonard is now playing on Sundays. Rice had a great season behind Leonard last year. I am not taking anything away from Rice's ability but his numbers have suffered compared to last year in this regard.
If you look at Rice's stats this year, he has done well against Syracuse, Buffalo and Navy. none of which are top-tier defenses. He has struggled against Cincy and Maryland which are more consistent on the defensive side of the ball.
USF is quite good on defense and hasn't given up a 100+ yd. rushing game to anyone since Rice last year (a span of 14 games).
So, for those of you that bring up the argument that USF hasn't faced a passing game like Rutgers all year, I agree. But we all know that in order to establish a passing game, a decent run game must be established. I could honestly see this game getting one dimensional for Rutgers if they can't establish the run early. And without Leonard in the lineup, I have my doubts that Rice will be very effective early.
I was on the Rutgers bandwagon last year too...but I don't see where they'll be able to keep this one close given the strength of defense for USF.
I'd like to hear all of your feedback on this. Thanks!
