We will be better, but will our record reflect it?

LeapinLou

All-American
Jul 24, 2001
12,507
5,540
113
Rutgers literally won every single toss up game last season to finish 7-6. Granted, with a break here or there, some of our losses could have gone the other way. But for the most part, any game where the spread was opponent -3 or less, we won. That is extraordinarily hard to pull off.

So next year our schedule has fewer (or perhaps no) guaranteed losses on it. But how likely are we to continue winning every toss up game? Could we be way better but still finish the regular season 6-6?
 

Eagleton95.99

All-American
Jul 25, 2001
7,511
6,428
113
Rutgers literally won every single toss up game last season to finish 7-6. Granted, with a break here or there, some of our losses could have gone the other way. But for the most part, any game where the spread was opponent -3 or less, we won. That is extraordinarily hard to pull off.

So next year our schedule has fewer (or perhaps no) guaranteed losses on it. But how likely are we to continue winning every toss up game? Could we be way better but still finish the regular season 6-6?
Generally I agree. On the other hand, we were a few breaks away from some big upsets also.
 
Jul 31, 2005
289
428
0
I agree that bad breaks could happen in close games. Our QB performance is hard to predict. One thing that helps RU win close games is the ability to kill the clock with the running game when they have a late lead.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LeapinLou

RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
25,957
34,806
113
we should be better and we should win more now that we've a guy under center than complete more than 50% of his passes. I don't think some of you realize the click is ticking, Greg absolutely needs to start playing for broke. Change is in the air, we need to be earn our part of it
 
  • Like
Reactions: socaldave

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
11,636
10,743
78
Rutgers literally won every single toss up game last season to finish 7-6. Granted, with a break here or there, some of our losses could have gone the other way. But for the most part, any game where the spread was opponent -3 or less, we won. That is extraordinarily hard to pull off.

So next year our schedule has fewer (or perhaps no) guaranteed losses on it. But how likely are we to continue winning every toss up game? Could we be way better but still finish the regular season 6-6?
I mean - we only played one close game all season. Michigan State. You could argue Miami ended with a one score margin but that’s not really how the game went down. Your argument applies to the 2014 season (we won 4 of 5 games that came down to the wire), not last year.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
121,494
37,097
113
I mean - we only played one close game all season. Michigan State. You could argue Miami ended with a one score margin but that’s not really how the game went down. Your argument applies to the 2014 season (we won 4 of 5 games that came down to the wire), not last year.
LL referred to the spread, not the score
 

mosito

Senior
Nov 1, 2006
1,620
884
113
With an arguably easier schedule , I think that covers us being fortunate in some games.... that leaves us being better.. I think we win 2 more games for 8-4 and a bowl win
 
Last edited:

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
11,636
10,743
78
LL referred to the spread, not the score
When I think of a game that can go either way, I’m thinking of the score moreso than what Vegas thought before the game. Arguably if you win a bunch of games by 3, one or two calls could flip the outcome. That wasn’t the case last season.
 

LeapinLou

All-American
Jul 24, 2001
12,507
5,540
113
Howard
Akron
@VT
Washington
@Nebraska
Wisconsin
UCLA
@USC
Minnesota
@Maryland
Illinois
@MSU

While you should never assume anything, if we win the first two, we could go 5-5 the rest of the way and end up in a decent bowl at 7-5. Going 8-4 seems like a bit of a tall order and would require some bounces to go our way. But if we get significantly better on offense and avoid long-term injuries on defense, it's doable. For those thinking 9+ wins, I love the optimism. But I think we are so evenly matched with so many of these teams, that it's going to be hard to win all of them.
 

RUGuitarMan1

All-Conference
Apr 5, 2021
2,206
3,380
73
With the new schedule, I think a 7-5 season would be very good, 8-4 would be outstanding. I see probable loses as Wash, @USC , @ Neb, Wisc. Tossup games as @VT, UCLA, @ Mich St , @md. Illinois, Minn at home are must wins with the Howard, Akron games. IMO, the game @VT and home against UCLA will be the key games regarding a winning season.
 

LeapinLou

All-American
Jul 24, 2001
12,507
5,540
113

So this dude is predicting 10-2 with a chance at 11-1. Is it possible. Sure, primarily because we don't have to play Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Oregon. But again, I don't think it's realistic to say we will win every single game that is "winnable". I can make the counter argument that 10 of the games on the schedule are "losable".

Honestly, if we go 8-4, I'm going to be thrilled.
 

yesrutgers01

Heisman
Nov 9, 2008
121,494
37,097
113
When I think of a game that can go either way, I’m thinking of the score moreso than what Vegas thought before the game. Arguably if you win a bunch of games by 3, one or two calls could flip the outcome. That wasn’t the case last season.
The point was more to games that were considered tossups- not that the outcome was a tossup until the final moment.
But all good. I get what you are saying
 

RUBOB72

All-American
Aug 5, 2004
23,385
7,924
0
If we only go 7-5 regular season this season it will definitely cause some to call for a regime change even if we won a bowl game.Still believe Schiano is either strangely too happy early in or he really has a good feeling.
 

LeapinLou

All-American
Jul 24, 2001
12,507
5,540
113
If we only go 7-5 regular season this season it will definitely cause some to call for a regime change even if we won a bowl game.Still believe Schiano is either strangely too happy early in or he really has a good feeling.
We are "ahead of schedule" with that 7-6 season last year. Had we gone 5-7, I think people would be thinking 7-5 would be a good season in 2024. But you are right some may have higher expectations, and that's fair.

I remember being extremely amped for the 1995 season only to lose the opener at Duke and finish with a losing record. It doesn't always go the way you hope/expect. I'm trying to manage my own expectations.
 

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
11,636
10,743
78
The point was more to games that were considered tossups- not that the outcome was a tossup until the final moment.
But all good. I get what you are saying

I get it but then if we win easily the pre-game forecast wasn’t really relevant. It’s the close games where few fortunate bounces that could’ve gone the other way that could change a record drastically.
 

Eagleton95.99

All-American
Jul 25, 2001
7,511
6,428
113
Hate to be the dark cloud but won't we be underdogs in 8 of the 12 games? We will need very good qb play to get to 8 wins. The important thing is to make a bowl and keep momentum going.
We won’t be dogs if we win the first 4 games
 

mosito

Senior
Nov 1, 2006
1,620
884
113
The V-Tech game will shape our season. After starting 2-3 if I am not mistaken , they won a bowl game and many believe they just needed one more year.

Win away and our Washington game will have more fans and the team more confidence.

Lose that and we easily drop more toss-up games.
 

RUdude

Senior
Sep 2, 2014
1,030
676
113
feeling 7-5 with better qb play. and healthy 8-4...
Given we are not playing UM/OSU/Oregon/PSU and MSU/UW/UCLA with first year coaches 8-4 should be expected.....

Must win 5 of 6
Howard
Akron
Washington
Illinois
UCLA
Minnesota

Should win 1 of 2
@MSU
@Nebraska

Toss up need 1 of 4..VT and WISKY make the season
@VT
Wisconsin
@USC
@Maryland
 

ecojew

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2006
9,767
2,271
0
The game @ Wisconsin was a one-play game. Their pick 6 while RU was driving changed what could have been a 20-17 win into a 24-13 loss.
 

ashokan

Heisman
May 3, 2011
25,325
19,686
0
The thing about last year was that the offense and defense were playing like reasonably well tuned machines overall - and they knew they were. When you're meshing with your other unit members its a different sense from just "being out there." Not every play was a work of art, but when they needed a play they had a reasonable expectation of getting enough of one to stay formidable. A corollary of that was that the OL got better as season went on despite playing the boss teams. An O-line playing better late was a cool thing and that should help a lot next season with returning pieces
 

Plum Street

Heisman
Jun 21, 2009
27,306
23,009
0
We might have a lot of opt outs in the bowl game. Which is actually a good situation to be in.
That’s why we need to be in a playoff game :)
 

RU#1fan

Heisman
Mar 7, 2003
23,030
11,809
113
The game at VT will be very telling.
They return the highest percentage of producing players from last year in all CFB.
Beat them and we are off to the races.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimpeg

RUBOB72

All-American
Aug 5, 2004
23,385
7,924
0
We left 2 games on the table last season and actually we could say 3 … in order to have that special season, change the program forever we need to have a better than 7 win regular season. Other schools somehow do that … a long time ago under this HC we did have that type of season and we all realize it could have been even more special. Some of us just have a feeling or so it seems. Schiano is different… coaches sound different…sure it’s early but that’s what we need.
 

Shelby65

All-Conference
Apr 1, 2008
7,755
4,265
66
we should be better and we should win more now that we've a guy under center than complete more than 50% of his passes. I don't think some of you realize the click is ticking, Greg absolutely needs to start playing for broke. Change is in the air, we need to be earn our part of it
Ha ha ha. What is it, 7 years left on his extension ? He ain’t going anywhere. His seat is ice cold, probably the most job security in the country. Brilliant job by Hobbs.
 
Last edited:

RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
25,957
34,806
113
Ha ha ha. What is it, 7 years left on his extension ? He ain’t going anywhere. His seat is ice cold, probably the most job security in the country. Brilliant job by Hobbs.
not even remotely what I intimated
 

Bilderberg_News

All-Conference
Dec 22, 2016
1,296
1,296
0
It all depends on what we get at the QB position. Here's my QB/Win assessment.
2,200 To 2,500 yards, 18 to 24 TD Passes 500 yards rushing 9 to 13 TDs, 14 Ints or less - 8 wins 5 losses.
2,750 To 3,500 yards, 25 to 29 TD Passes, 500+ yards rushing 10 to 14 TDs, 12 Ints or less - 9-10 wins 3-4 losses.
4,000+ Yards, 30+ TD Passes, 600+ yards rushing 12+ TDs 9 Ints or less - 10 wins minimum 13 wins max. (Bowl)
 

Shelby65

All-Conference
Apr 1, 2008
7,755
4,265
66
I would be surprised if we lost to Wahington at Home this year...They bring back Nobody from last year ...I'm sure they will be good but that's a Game we should Win
I think it’s a safe bet that UW will have a much better QB, so the smart money will be on the Huskies. Not a great team like this year, but still better than us.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bac2therac