In Second Straight Bowl Trip, Rutgers' Biggest Obstacle Is Itself
Following an 11-win season, and with 13 starters returning, bigger things were expected of Rutgers this year than seven wins and a bid to the little-regarded International Bowl in Toronto. At the same time, it is a measure of the success of the Greg Schiano era that a bowl bid of any kind is considered disappointing. This is, after all, a program that has managed exactly one bowl win in nearly 140 years of competition — and that coming just last year, against Kansas State in the Texas Bowl.
RUTGERS (7–5) VS. BALL STATE (7–5) SATURDAY, NOON, ESPN2
More evidence of Rutgers's improved status in the college football landscape emerged since the Scarlet Knights concluded their regular season with a loss at Louisville. For the second straight year, Schiano rebuffed the overtures of a more storied program. Schiano's decision to say "no" to the Miami job a year ago was probably easier than it was for him to do the same to the University of Michigan last month. Despite Miami's unmatched on-field success, its program is burdened by poor facilities, limited revenues, and tepid fan support; but Michigan is, well, Michigan. Schiano's willingness to pass on the opportunity to coach college football's all-time leader in wins sent a clear message to his players (and those he is trying to recruit) that he intends to stay at Rutgers for the long haul.
His recommitment to the program, one that he has built up from the dregs of the sport, should also help kick-start fund-raising for facilities upgrades that will make Rutgers even more competitive in the coming years.
In the meantime, Schiano and his players have an opportunity to at least write a positive ending to a trying season. Though Ball State plays in the Mid-American Conference, the Cardinals have enough offensive firepower to upset Rutgers if the Scarlet Knights are disinterested in the proceedings.
Ball State quarterback Nate Davis leads a passing offense that averages better than 280 yards per game. He also knows how to take care of the ball, having thrown for 27 touchdowns and just six interceptions in 430 attempts on the season. Rutgers needs to be able to pressure Davis with the front four, allowing its linebackers to drop into coverage against standout tight end Darius Hill, and disrupt the routes of leading receiver Dante Love. The pair will provide a challenge for Rutgers's second-ranked pass defense.
Offensively, Rutgers should be able to have its way against Ball State. The Cardinals were woeful against the run, which is bad news against Rutgers junior Ray Rice, who finished third in the nation with 144 yards per game on the ground. Expect Rutgers to establish the run with Rice early, forcing Ball State to crowd the line of scrimmage. Doing so will open up downfield throws for Mike Teel, who is finally healthy after battling a thumb injury on his passing hand all season. That should help his accuracy against a Ball State defense that lived off turnovers all year, including 18 interceptions.
If Rice is able to have early success, and Teel has time to throw, it will be a long afternoon for Ball State's defense, having to cope with both Rice and the Rutgers receiving corps of Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood. Both are tall receivers who present matchup problems for Ball State's small corners.
Though Ball State is a capable foe, the biggest obstacle for Rutgers in this game is its own mindset. With their long layoffs and unfamiliar, neutral-site atmospheres, bowl games can sometimes reward the more motivated team over the more talented one. The fact that Rutgers was able shake off the disappointment of a second-tier bowl bid to hammer Kansas State last season is an excellent sign for this game. Schiano may have to dig a little deeper into his bag of inspirational tricks this time around, but he should have the team ready to play.
Despite falling short of expectations this season, an impressive win Saturday would still send Rutgers into next year with a healthy jolt of momentum. The Big East is in flux, with West Virginia having lost the architect of its dominant spread-option offense (coach Rich Rodriguez, who said "yes" to Michigan after Schiano turned down the Wolverines), and Louisville having fallen off. Rutgers will certainly be considered among the favorites to win the conference title next season — particularly if Rice opts to return for his senior season.
Mr. Levine is a writer for FootballOutsiders.com.
