RU football makes top 25 by end of 2024?

[RUTGERS95]

The 4 teams joining the B1G from the west are all good to very good programs. I don't think anyone really thinks otherwise. What some wonder, is the defensive beating you take each week more difficult then the offensive onslaught they faced previous years. Plus- these new teams are going to have some crazy travel schedules.

I get that but outside of psu, osu, md who is beating you up physically?
by the numbers, they're ever bit the same size as us and wisconsin and they are fast!

I'd agree if it was the 90s, BIG was big, strong, mean but today it's not about pounding the ball the way it was

at least how I see it, I could be wrong but I suspect we struggle with each of those teams if we havn't found a qb for next year. with a qb, we play with them

 

[Arizona Knight]

I get that but outside of psu, osu, md who is beating you up physically?
by the numbers, they're ever bit the same size as us and wisconsin and they are fast!

I'd agree if it was the 90s, BIG was big, strong, mean but today it's not about pounding the ball the way it was

at least how I see it, I could be wrong but I suspect we struggle with each of those teams if we havn't found a qb for next year. with a qb, we play with them

I’m sure it was an accidental omission but I’d add Iowa to that list. They play as angry on defense as any team in the conference. But your point stands.

Utah and U of A (outside the departing four) also play a physical brand of football which would fit right into the B1G. Washington and Oregon will be just fine.

 

[RUTGERS95]

I’m sure it was an accidental omission but I’d add Iowa to that list. They play as angry on defense as any team in the conference. But your point stands.

Utah and U of A (outside the departing four) also play a physical brand of football which would fit right into the B1G. Washington and Oregon will be just fine.

Iowa too yes, thanks

 

[RUGuitarMan1]

I recall that way back in the 1970s/1980s, many commentators would suggest that the bigger, more physicsal Big 10 teams would win the LOS against the more athletic PAC 10 teams in The Rose Bowl. Yet, the PAC 10 teams won the game most of the time. I realize a long 12 game season is entirely different but the 4 football programs added for 2024 are among that conferences best and I think they will be formidable in the B1G.

 

[mdk02]

I recall that way back in the 1970s/1980s, many commentators would suggest that the bigger, more physicsal Big 10 teams would win the LOS against the more athletic PAC 10 teams in The Rose Bowl. Yet, the PAC 10 teams won the game most of the time. I realize a long 12 game season is entirely different but the 4 football programs added for 2024 are among that conferences best and I think they will be formidable in the B1G.

However, at least with respect to USC and UCLA back then, their OLs were just as big and physical as their Big 10 counterparts.

 

[rutgersguy1_rivals]

Oregon is probably physical enough. Lanning might be a little bit of a nut with 4th downs but he's continued and built on the physicality Cristobal started at Oregon. We'll have to see who they replace Nix with (Dillon Gabriel?... they're still getting visits from others) but Stein their OC did a good job with Wilson at UTSA and now Nix at Oregon.

Washington is up and down but proved they can be physical at times. They stepped up to the challenge in their rematch against Oregon in the title game. It'll be a real test to see how physical they can be against Texas which is physical team. Will Rogers from Miss State might end up here so we'll see. DeBoer did a good job with Haener at Fresno and now Penix at Washington.

UCLA just lost their qb to the portal and their first year DC Danton Lynn to USC. They were a reverse this year of what they were last year. Last year they were all offense and not much defense, this year they were good on defense and offense slipped. They were more physical this year as a team. I really don't know what to expect from them next year.

We'll see what the new DC from UCLA does for USC. They also hired the NDSU HC (currently in the FCS playoffs) as LB coach. Between the two of them, maybe they will add an air of physicality to the defense and bring some improvement. Lynn made a huge leap to near the top of the country with UCLA's defense in 1 year there so we'll see if he can do it again at USC. If they just become mediocre that's plenty. Regardless, USC is still a potent offensive team. Williams is leaving but Riley has a history of cranking out qbs so I figure they will be fine in that department. You'd have to play a really good game of keep away if you're going to stop them from scoring for long.

The unknown imo is how increased travel affects these teams.

Here’s some UW toughness.

 

[PSU_Nut_rivals17625]

The kids at Washington, Oregon, USC, and UCLA are pros. They don't fly commercial and stay in 3 star hotels. They are extremely pampered professional athletes, they will have all types of trainers, dieticians, massage therapists, doctors, etc. making sure they are optimizing their performance given the travel.

I really don’t think people realize how easy it is for these teams. Most programs clear TSA in the football facility and charter buses are driven right on to the tarmac. The extra 2 or 2.5 hr flight time is not going to hurt an elite athlete. The only thing that might be hard is a noon kick but I guarantee you tv is going to want west coast teams playing 3:30 or later east coast time.

 

[yesrutgers01]

I really don’t think people realize how easy it is for these teams. Most programs clear TSA in the football facility and charter buses are driven right on to the tarmac. The extra 2 or 2.5 hr flight time is not going to hurt an elite athlete. The only thing that might be hard is a noon kick but I guarantee you tv is going to want west coast teams playing 3:30 or later east coast time.

No lines or crying babies. Even get some decent food(well, chic-fil-a type of food) on the flight.
And when it is a 1-3 hour flight, not really a big deal- when it is 6 hours and a 3 hour time change- it isnt the inconvenience of the flight, it is the 10 hour block of time, both ways, taken our of their routines- in many cases- the return home is the tough one- you are bumped, bruised, injured nicked, etc- when you are playing at home- you get to get right back into treatment and you get your sleep in your own bed on normal schedule- recovery time is so much better.

We all know they are taking charters and staying at nice hotels.

 

[RUforlife]

No lines or crying babies. Even get some decent food(well, chic-fil-a type of food) on the flight.
And when it is a 1-3 hour flight, not really a big deal- when it is 6 hours and a 3 hour time change- it isnt the inconvenience of the flight, it is the 10 hour block of time, both ways, taken our of their routines- in many cases- the return home is the tough one- you are bumped, bruised, injured nicked, etc- when you are playing at home- you get to get right back into treatment and you get your sleep in your own bed on normal schedule- recovery time is so much better.

We all know they are taking charters and staying at nice hotels.

Seriously? You do realize you are talking about 18-22 young men, not 40 and 50 year old has beens? The are treated at the same level as NFL players who have way more travel. What, do you think these pro athletes are worried about getting up in the morning to make an English lit class? You are talking 4 or 5 games during the course of a season, this ain’t basketball.

 

[yesrutgers01]

Seriously? You do realize you are talking about 18-22 young men, not 40 and 50 year old has beens? The are treated at the same level as NFL players who have way more travel. What, do you think these pro athletes are worried about getting up in the morning to make an English lit class? You are talking 4 or 5 games during the course of a season, this ain’t basketball.

Dude- you do realize I know exactly how they travel in both the pros and college. And I know they pains they are dealing with immediately after a game and the huge difference it is to be back in your own bed, up early and into the trainers room the next morning.

I also know how important "routine" is for mostly college kids, not so much the pros. And for a lot of college players, yes, they are worried about that class the next day. And their 12 game season is how many times harder than being in a basketball game.

I think someone pointed out that UCLA has a trip to PSU, back home the next week and the following week out here to NJ...That is crazy

 

[rutobs]

Barring major injuries. I think there is a chance.
Schedule, player development, 8-10 wins. Tulane, James Madison, Liberty, SMU are on that list now.

Agree with this, but before looking at next season, I think its really important to win our bowl game first ; I do think that will continue to help our recruiting and hopefully grab a few good prospects in the portal.

 

[RUforlife]

Dude- you do realize I know exactly how they travel in both the pros and college. And I know they pains they are dealing with immediately after a game and the huge difference it is to be back in your own bed, up early and into the trainers room the next morning.

I also know how important "routine" is for mostly college kids, not so much the pros. And for a lot of college players, yes, they are worried about that class the next day. And their 12 game season is how many times harder than being in a basketball game.

I think someone pointed out that UCLA has a trip to PSU, back home the next week and the following week out here to NJ...That is crazy

Dude, do you understand the amount of miles between cities in the West, do you not understand that these teams are used to longer travel distances throughout the year already? Also, take USC for example, some years they will have 4 away games and some years 5. Of those away games, one will likely be to a West Coast team, okay, now we are down to just 3 or 4 games against conference teams in the East. Now, the flight times between the Los Angeles schools and Lincoln and Minneapolis are only 1 or so more hours than from New Brunswick to those locations.

Let's compare Rutgers travel schedule to USC in 2024. Rutgers travels to Los Angeles, Nebraska, Michigan State, and Maryland while USC travels to Minny, Maryland, Michigan, Seattle, and the Rose Bowl. In 2025 Rutgers will have 5 away conference games and USC only 4 away games, including Nebraska and Oregon. So, as you can see that these are not killer road schedules that will somehow zap USC players of their strength and ability to recover from games. Let's all stop this travel nonsense talk that somehow the West Coast teams will struggle thereby giving Rutgers an advantage, ugh, just plain dumb. It is not football where the travel will affect the players it is the other sports such as basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, etc. in which the travel regime required of the West Coast teams might affect their on field performance.

 

[yessir321]

Where the hell have you guys been? Kyle already announced that he's returning, lol!!!

You mid-read my post. I’m saying outside of Kyle, the offense needs serious improvement. I understand he’s coming back which is huge for our offense

 

[dconifer0]

Playing a B1G schedule, even post-BIG-East Division era, makes it really difficult to make the top 25. If a team puts together a solid roster and plays in a league like the ACC, wins can be racked up and it's not so difficult to get that kind of visibility. Not so much in the BIG.

I honestly don't see your team or mine in the Top 25 very often in the near future. For Maryland, every time they were on the verge, Michigan/Penn State/Ohio State was next on the schedule. As we have seen in the last decade, playing 3-4 elite teams every season can put a damper on things...

 

[yesrutgers01]

Dude, do you understand the amount of miles between cities in the West, do you not understand that these teams are used to longer travel distances throughout the year already? Also, take USC for example, some years they will have 4 away games and some years 5. Of those away games, one will likely be to a West Coast team, okay, now we are down to just 3 or 4 games against conference teams in the East. Now, the flight times between the Los Angeles schools and Lincoln and Minneapolis are only 1 or so more hours than from New Brunswick to those locations.

Let's compare Rutgers travel schedule to USC in 2024. Rutgers travels to Los Angeles, Nebraska, Michigan State, and Maryland while USC travels to Minny, Maryland, Michigan, Seattle, and the Rose Bowl. In 2025 Rutgers will have 5 away conference games and USC only 4 away games, including Nebraska and Oregon. So, as you can see that these are not killer road schedules that will somehow zap USC players of their strength and ability to recover from games. Let's all stop this travel nonsense talk that somehow the West Coast teams will struggle thereby giving Rutgers an advantage, ugh, just plain dumb. It is not football where the travel will affect the players it is the other sports such as basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, etc. in which the travel regime required of the West Coast teams might affect their on field performance.

I don't see it as giving Rutgers an advantage- my point is that it just makes it a little more difficult on those teams- you are also missing a huge factor- travel from southern Cal to Oregon is a pretty long trip- similar to Boston to Florida...But it is in the same timezone.
Players are not going to get off a flight and look like a 50 y/o man complaining of jetlag...but it is just a couple of extra things to add into the overall wear and tear of a season- and some of it is mental.

What you can't do is tell me how it does or does not make a difference to a football player in having a game a 6 hour flight away and time difference and trying to sleep on the plane rather than your own bed. Yes, game gets over- they shower up- come out of the stadium and on the busses to the airport an hour later- charter flight, so all that stress is not there and almost always taking off on time.
But next morning- I can tell you first hand how both College and NFL players are just moving different that next morning and they are bitching about the travel- believe me.

It isn't going to be extreme to mean Wash/Oregon become 7 win teams because of it- but it is just one more thing to deal with.