Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2010 Record: 4-8
2010 Bowl Result: No game
2010 Against the Spread: 2-9-1
2010 over/under: 8-4
Returning Starters: 15 (10 offense, 5 defense)

Throughout August we are releasing pre-season previews for all the major college teams.  Our College Football Handicappers are doing plenty of research to make sure we release  winners every week during the upcoming season.

Surprisingly, Snooki and the Situation weren’t the worst things to come out of Jersey last year. After 5 straight winning seasons, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights had one of the worst years in coach Greg Schiano’s tenure at 4-8.

They finished dead last in the Big East  with a 1-6 conference record. The one conference win was against eventual conference champion UConn, part of a 4-2 start that had Rutgers thinking conference championship. however, the Knights ended the season on a 6 game losing streak. The Knights look to rebound this year with an overhauled offense. They do return 10 starters from the offensive unit that was one of the worst in the country.

Here is a look at Rutger’s offense, defense, special teams, and schedule.

Offense

Only 7 teams in the country had a worse offense than Rutgers last season. The Scarlet Knights’ offense was anemic to say the least averaging 297.3 total yards, including 194 passing yards and 103.3 rushing yards a game. Rutgers scored 20.8 points a game. To fix the offense, Schiano hired a new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti. Cignetti moved from the spread offense to a more traditional pro style offense.

Then Sophomore Tom Savage was supposed to lead the offense last year but a wrist injury midway through the season sidelined him. He lost his job to true freshman Chas Dodd. Savage transferred to Arizona, so the job is Dodd’s without a competition. Dodd completed 55.2% of his passes for 1,637 yards with 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He led a couple of gutsy comeback wins over UConn and Army before the wheels fell off Rutger’s season.  Junior Steve Shimko missed the entire 2010 season with a shoulder injury but he is the back-up. Rutgers signed two true freshmen Gary Nova and Mike Bimonte to beef up the quarterback corps.

Now that Rutgers has a new offense they will feature the fullback more. In fact, the teams leading rusher from 2 years ago, moves over to fullback for his senior year. He battled an ankle injury last year and only had 85 carries, 276 yards, and 4 touchdowns. He is expected to be a great fullback because he is big enough to block and open holes, but he is very quick as well. Sophomore Jeremy Deering moved from wide receiver to running back. Deering had 77 carries, 352 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He also had 16 catches and a touchdown last year.  It speaks volumes that the top three rushers weren’t running backs but wide receivers. In fact leading rusher Jordan Thomas moved from WR/RB to cornerback in the spring.  Junior De’Antwan Willaims and redshirt freshman Jawan Jamison will also get significant carries. True freshman Savon Huggins received offers from such powerhouses at Auburn and USC and chose Rutgers. He could be a special back, and don’t be surprised if he moves to the top of the depth chart before the season is over.

The star of the offense is junior Mohamed Sanu, who battled injury last year. Sanu had 44 catches,  418 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He also had 59 carries, 309 yards, and 4 rushing touchdowns. Sanu even threw 3 touchdown passes in the 9 passes he attempted. Junior Mark Harrison was the leading receiver with 44 catches, 829 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Junior D.C. Jefferson and Paul Carrezola will compete for the tight end position. Junior Tim Wright missed all of last season with a knee injury but he returns and is healthy. Redshirt freshman Brandon Coleman will also get significant catches.

The offensive line was horrendous last year, with a rushing game that ranked #110 in the country and the line was also dead last in sacks allowed. Though all five starters return, the coaches might try out some new blood to plug up the holes. If the line doesn’t improve it could be another long season for Rutgers.

Defesnse

The defense wasn’t horrible last year, but the offense had so many three and outs that the defense had to stay on the field for long periods of time and grew fatigued. They allowed 375.7 yards a game, including 217.8 passing yards, and 157.9 rushing yards. They allowed 26.5 points a game.

The defense is led by DT Scott Vallone, and linebackers Steve Beauharnais & Khaseem Greene. They do have to replace 3 starters in the secondary that struggled last year. Rutgers had almost no pass rush, last year something that they need to improve quickly.

Special Teams

Senior placekicker San San Te returns but he is inconsistent missing 21 out of 65 field goals in his career. He struggles with kicks over 40 yards.

True freshman Anthony DiPaula takes over as the punter but he struggled in the spring practices with a lot of blocked punts.

Senior Mason Robinson will return punts, while Deering and/or Harrison will return kicks.

Schedule 

Rutgers opens up with a home game against North Carolina Central before traveling to North Carolina. The out of conference schedule also includes home games against Ohio, Navy, and Army. (They won’t win the Big East, so maybe they can win the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy.) In conference Rutgers has home games against Pitt, West Virginia, South Florida, and Cincinnati. They have road games against Syracuse, Louisville, and Connecticut. North Carolina central is the only sure win on the schedule though Ohio and Army are probable wins and perhaps Navy. If this team wins 5 games, I will be really surprised.

Betting trends

Rutgers was one of the worst teams in the country against the spread last year going 2-9-1 including 1-6 at home and 1-3-1 on the road. The over/under was 8-4 including 4-3 at home and 4-1 on the road.

Game to play Rutgers

Rutgers will not be favored in any conference game this season. I give a lukewarm prediction that Rutgers will cover against Ohio, though the Bobcats of the MAC could surprise.

Game to bet against Rutgers

Take your pick. But I will go with the season finale at UConn. The Huskies are rebuilding but want to avenge the humiliating loss last year to Rutgers.

Check out our college football odds page for the best lines on every game.