UMass-Rutgers week one

[Box and one]

Rutgers-14.5 over UMass *****
This game just jumps out in the opening week...last year played them big over Texas St on opening week. the line was Rutgers -16 over Texas St...Rutgers blew them away 35-7 and subbed in the 4th qrt...think the same will happen again vs Mass...Rutgers went 1-11..it was all down hill after the Tex St game...same could happen this year.....after Umass RU has @ Iowa,Boston Col and @ Mich...they end the season vs Ohio St,Mich St and Penn St...they are 12-36 in the Big 10...Ash their coach has 7 wins in his 3 seasons since leaving Ohio St...his job is on the line. He went 4-8 in his 1st year and then 1-11 last yr...very well liked though..their qb Sitkowski who was a HS stud had a tough year...great arm but had 18 interceptions and 4 td's...but Texas Tech Transfer Carter has arrived and not sure if he will replace Sit. Rutgers has 2 outstanding running backs... Blackshear is a 5'9 break away back...led RU in rushing and receiving. Then is Pacheco an explosive back with moves...with their pro-style offense they will run right at Umass all day...OL is huge and should improve...RU lost to Mich St last year in their last game 14-10...they have a solid TE and everyone is waiting for super star Melton at WR..he is a speedster who can get open...on defense they are loaded with athletes esp at line backers...very quick and athletic...
Umass went 4-8 and fired their coach..they have 5 starters back on offense and only return 3 defensive players... they hired Bell from Flor st who will play no huddle and fast...a whole new system that was tough during spring practice...a very young team in transition...their qb Brito is 5'10 and they lost their top wr Isabella...avg rb's and wr's...but its defense is there biggest problem ..when they play the power 5 teams they get beat bad.. last yr Georgia beat them 66-27 and Boston Col 55-21.. and USF 58-42,...they also beat Liberty 62-59 in 3 ot's. With a new system,new offense and defense and very young starters many freshmen its a rebuilding year...
Rutgers has much more talent and are more athletic.. Ash's job is on the line...playing at home on a friday nite think the Scarlet Knights come out smoking vs the Minutmen and win big...Blackshear and Pacheco run all over UMass defense...

 

[OAKAS]

This is the only game that jumped out at me for week 1.

Really like this one.

Good luck my friend.

 

[Box and one]

Rutgers update

Ash has Sit as No 1 qb in depth chart...they have 3 weeks to watch him...but his leash is very,very short...if he displays any thing that he did last year Carter will replace...Sitkowski is a 6'5 soph who was so heavily recruited from NJ...most of the 4-5 stars athletes from NJ leave the state to play for the Ohio St,Nebraska's etc...so Ash finally gets a NJ kid and now might have to bench him..doesn't look good to fellow NJ HS coaches..this state has so much talent but everyone leaves to play at other big schools...but Sit didn't read the defenses,held on to the ball to long and under threw or over threw...many times he had decent protection but couldn't execute...with his 2 studs at rb's and a TE that can block and catch he should improve. and Melton who can get separation with his speed..but Ash's job is on the line...he cannot lose to a UMass team that won 4 games and starts mostly freshmen and sophs.Again last year they beat Tex St 35-7 in the opener and in Ash's 1st year beat Morgan St 65-0 in week 3...last yr they were 1-0 as a home fav and 4-2 as a home dog..will update on qb situation..but think Sit should improve esp vs a weak UMass secondary...it might take the Iowa-BC game to get a real read in the qb...

thanks Oakas...some games just jump out

been looking at the Rice-Army game...Army has to replace it defense but its offense is loaded...they return Hopkins their qb who ran and threw for 1,000 yds...so quick and doesn't fumble the ball...they lose some rb's but Slomka is back...but they return Walker the 5'9 outside runner...once he turns the corner he's gone..they have a cup cake schedule except for Michigan in week 3...and lets not forget they lost to Kyle Murray and co in Oklahoma in OT 28-21..Army defense is the question...can they stop Shea from Michigan...last year OU was -31... I took OU for a ** star play thinking Army defense will have big problems since OU just beat FAU 63-14 and UCLA 49-21...was wrong there...will update Rice game...Rice in its last 2 games vs Army lost 49-12 and 38-31..

 

[Tommy Shelby]

I hope you are correct, and I hope Ash can have a great year. When he was here at Arkansas with Bielema, his family lived next door to us. They are as good as gold, and he is a cool dude. I still stay in touch with his wife and him some and wish them well. Players love him.

 

[Box and one]

Thomas, everyone likes him at Rutgers....down to earth...great personality very articulate...press likes him...has cleaned up the Rutgers programs by getting rid of about 5 felons....but is is out if he doesn't win 4-5 games...after going 1-11 last yr and sticking with Art Sit as qb he is on a tight leash...Art was over his head from the start....should of red shirted him...he was throw to the wolves and Ash is to blame...Art ranked 128th NCAA passer out of 128 quarterbacks. 4 Td's and 18 interceptions...was benched in their last game and Gio the backup almost upset Mich St 16-10...the on campus Rutgers talk forums survey has Carter the Tex Tech Grad transfer at 78 % to start over Sit...they are both battling it out to start at qb...but think Ash will start what qb gives him the best chance to win...his job is on the line...thats why I really like Rutgers over UMass by 2 td's....Carter is mobile and can step up in the pocket...Sit can't do that...but Rutgers really won't be tested vs a Umass defense that is bad..the following 2 weeks at Iowa and home vs Boston Col is the real test...so Sit could start and look good vs UMass and then has Iowa and BC... Carter is more experienced and can throw out of the pocket...think both are almost even in their battle to start...in pre-season...Rutgers has had 9 OC in 9 years..finally they have one who is in his 2nd year...plus this team is all of Ash's players... there schedule is brutal...there last 4 game are at Wisky,Mich,Penn St and Mich St...they do have Maryland,Indiana,Liberty and Illi...tough season and Ash will be gone if he can't beat a few of those...that's why the UMass game is so important....other then Liberty that is the only other team that they have more talent ....
will keep you posted on qb battle

 

[Box and one]

Been following Rutgers everyday....the qb situation is still unknown...Ash might make an announcement on thurs or wait until game time...its a 50/50 battle...OL has not played well so far so that gives the edge to Carter who is mobile although is not a scrambler..Sit although has made an effort to step out of the pocket still is a pocket passer...there are so many advantages for each one...Sit should of red shirted last yr...of the 128 qb's in D-1 he was ranked 128...Rutgers problem is they have not developed a qb in years...they finally get a 4-star recruit from NJ and he was so bad they might bench him..in comes Carter from Tex Tech a senior transfer who can only play 1 year...so is it better to go 3-8 or 4-7 with Carter who leaves next year or go with Sit at 3-8 and still might develop .. I look it at that UMass is their weakest opponent..they should dominate the game on both sides of the ball...Ash's job is on the line...he does have his Off Coord back this year and that is a plus.. Ash was a defensive coach at Ohio St...both qb's are getting reps with the 1st team...the real test isn't against UMass..its the following week vs Iowa and Boston Col...think Carter is the better qb to handle those defenses..I just think Pacheco is a stud and all purpose back....he looks small but is really built... Blackshear can break one on any play...plus he can catch the ball out of the backfield. They have some depth at TE with some injuries and the wr's need to hold onto the ball...but vs UMass defense think they get separation and get some big plays..they didn't have any last yr... if fact Melton their top wr had 300 yds in last yrs spring game..and had about the same yardage in the 11 regular season games...according to reports Carter is out playing Sit but is that enough to bench the future qb...but like I said before Ash is on the hot seat...most people are saying he needs to beat BC Minny and Maryland at home to keep his job...think he will go with the qb who he knows gives him the better chance to win...you can't develop a soph qb after you been fired...I predict Sit starts the game vs UMass but Carter plays a lot...then Sit will have problems with Iowa and BC and Carter finishes out the season...
but I really love Rutgers -14.5 ****** and Backshear and Pacheco run all over a weak UMass defense...
the line is still -14.5 but think it will go up to -15 or 15.5..

 

[Box and one]

Ash announced Carter will be starting tonite vs UMass... I kinda thought that..he has outplayed Sitkowski in camp .. He had to really out play him because Sit was a 4 -star NJ HS athlete that stayed home...but Ash is on the hot seat for his job and developing a soph doesn't help him because Ash won't be there his junior year....think they both play though...the real test isn't vs a weak UMass defense ... its the following 2 weeks vs at Iowa,Boston Col home and at Michigan...think Rutgers wins maybe 3 games all year...like last year they did handle Tex St 35-7 in there home opener...then lost 11 straight...when head coach Ash took over the defensive side of the ball in last 2 games they held Penn St and were beating Mich St with 7 minutes left losing 14-10...
Ol has many questions,TE is hurt,WR's had the droppsee's,got little separation and a frosh QB who had no business starting...think they have improved esp on defense...but they had 2 solid running backs in Blackshear and Pacheco...Pacheco if is he was on a Wisconson or Michigan he would be a household name....last year in had a 80 yd run vs Michigan...and got 3 carries after that...in the press conference after they asked him " were you disappointed you didn't get any more carries". Not sure why Ash just didn't give him the ball...more...but he an Blackshear will get the ball a lot tonite and either one will break a long one..UMass defense will pack it in but now you have Carter who is mobile and will step out of the pocket...Carter is a not a dual threat qb but can step out or roll out of the pocket to buy time...think UMass has a weak offense with new coach,qb,rb's etc...Bell is a good coach but it will take him time at UMass to put his offensed and defense in in the mean time Rutgers at home should "rock"...I see Pacheco and Blackshear having huge games...Rutgers wins by +21... I played the 1st half -8 also..back later with Army_Rice

 

[Box and one]

Army -23 over Rice **
Spent so much time on this game..more then I spent on Rutgers-UMass...but 23 points and now 24 is so many points...the last time Army was favored by that much it was Lafayette -46 and then won 31-13 by 20...a fw years before they did blow them out and cover they were once favored -43 vs Morgan St and did win and cover..Rice is better then those schools despite Rice's record last yr...Army offense is loaded...to end their season last yr beating Houston 70-14 in a bowl...its Hopkins the qb...passes and rushed for over 1,000 yds...but the key to there success is no turn over..they had 8 last yr.. if you recall a few years ago they had 6 lost fumbles in one game., Monken the coach is a genius...talk about discipline...they lose Woolfork and Davidson...at rb...but Slomka a short yardage runner will get every 3rd and short...McCoy the other fullback just blocks and open ups holes that anybody here reading this could gain 3 yds following him...but I have been saying this last yr.. Walker the slot back is a breakaway..on any given play esp on the outside he can break one...then you have the qb Hopkins who knows when to pitch or keep..or throw...he is the 1st qb in about 6 years that can actually complete a pass over 10 yds and more importantly "lead the ball" on the pass...Ol is solid...they lost their center but at Army every one is replaceable..they are not pass blocking...they are moving forward on every play..look at the OU game..OU size and athleticism is 2 times better then any Army linemen...yet Army Ol just opened up holes and OU players were pushed back..."you guys want to rush the passer,go ahead,because he's not in the pocket,in fact that was him the just went by you...the other backs attack the linebackers. and the fullback and Tight ends block and block...anyway Rice will have a tough time stopping Hopkins and co..but Army lost 7 defensive starters...but their replacements are all upper classroom...not sophs or freshmen..the line backers and DL are all replaceable...the DB's need some work though...
Next week is Michigan but Monken won't allow anyone to mention the big M...a lot of people think Army who lost in OT to Murray and OU last yr will repeat..Monken said something in a press conference the other day on local TV...he mentioned that although he has about 20 players from the state of Texas not one of these guys were ever recruited by Rice..yet he recruited about 10 Rice players to come to Army..someone asked him will you use that to inspire your team before the game...he said " hell ya" and winked.. I love that.. Rice played so many freshmen last yr..so they have a team of many sophs...last yr Houston beat Rice 45-27...and Army best Houston scoring over 70 points...Army won 11 games and are ranked..2 yrs ago Army beat Rice 49-12...Rice has new coach and a lot of energy...think Black Nites at home tonite win and just cover...small play because I thought the line should be maybe 21 points...the question this year is can Army replace its defense...I think they can because they are all upper class men...

Rutgers -14.5 over UMass *******
huge play for me the line is now moved up to -17...think Scarlet nites win big at home opener in there throwback uni's..Carter is the starter but Pacheco ans Blackshear will run all over the Minutemen