Uc and Rutgers play tomorrow, so what better way to get to know about the Scarlet Knights than talking to someone who blogs about them? I can’t think of a better way either. There will still be a preview of the game coming later, and then there will be a preview of the basketball game. You are going to be blown away with coverage on things that are going to happen. Let’s get to the talk I had with On the Banks. I answered some questions over there as well, so hit the link.
1) Rutgers offense has been pretty bad this season. Is the issue mainly the offensive line?
Poor offensive line play is a big part of it. Their high total of sacks allowed has been exacerbated by calling too many deep passes, which require the line to maintain protection longer, and the plays only work a low percentage of the time. Rutgers generally can’t pass protect for enough time to run medium or deep passes, and hasn’t been able to run block out of convention formations.
2) There seems to be a QB controversy brewing. Are we going to see Chas Dodd or Tom Savage?
It’s hard for either to be effective behind this year’s line. Tom Savage was hurt earlier in the season and looked ineffective, while Dodd had two good games before regressing. Dodd was awful against Syracuse, while Savage played relatively better. The starter depends on who looks better in practice this week, but Savage is more likely to start. Rutgers will probably run a lot of snaps with Jeremy Deering or Mohamed Sanu under center in the Wildcat formation too.
3) The Rutgers defense has been very solid, and has caused the second most turnovers in the Big East. Who should we look out for on that side of the ball?
The defense was even better before Eric LeGrand went down, which badly hurt the depth up front along the defensive line. Rutgers has a very good pass-rushing DT in Scott Vallone. Outside linebackers Manny Abreu and Antonio Lowery have played well, as have the safeties Joe Lefeged and Khaseem Greene. Rutgers is at least average-to-solid at all of the defensive positions, although they were clearly a lot better with LeGrand.
4) Mohammed Sanu touches the ball a whole lot for the Knights. What’s the best defense against him?
Sanu right now is extremely banged up, he’s been taking too many hits because of overuse. That’s led to Jeremy Deering see more touches. Deering has been a good runner, and deserves carries independent of Sanu’s status.l
5) What do you see happening in the game Saturday night?
Brian Kelly had a good gameplan last year in calling a lot of short passes to neutralize the Rutgers pass rush. Syracuse, oddly, was one of the few teams not to do that in 2010, and the results were striking with RU finally exploding to register a lot of sacks. Coupled with any protection issues Cincinnati might have and their gameplan is clear. Rutgers is going to have to tamper down on the blitzes and play a lot of zone coverage in response. I don’t know what to expect on the other side of the ball, although it would be nice to win a close game for the first time in a while.
Have there been any updates on Eric LeGrand?
The school has not released any official updates on his condition, so there is no way at this time to gauge Eric’s progress.. He did recently move to a rehabilitation facility however.
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