2017 First Glance: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The 2017 home football schedule concludes when Rutgers comes to Bloomington for Senior Day. Indiana's final three games are favorable and this is a chance to add another number to the win column. Rutgers is still rebuilding in Chris Ash's second season and could be coming into this matchup looking ahead to 2018.
Week Twelve: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Date & Time: Saturday, November 18th, TBA
Venue: Memorial Stadium (52,929)
TV: TBA
Scarlet Knights at a Glance
Head Coach: Chris Ash
Entering his 2nd year at Rutgers and 2nd year overall
Overall Record: 2-10
At Rutgers: 2-10
Rutgers Last Season: 2-10(0-9)
Scarlet Knight Returning Leaders
Passing: Giovanni Rescigno (52.8 pct. 889 yards, 5 TDs, 5 INTs)
Rushing: Robert Martin (121 att. 625 yards 5.2 YPC 2 TDs)
Receiving: Jawuan Harris (39 rec. 481 yards, 12.3 YPR, 3 TD)
Tackles: LB Trevor Morris (102 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBUs 1 QBHs)
Pre-Season Predictions
Athlon’s: 7th in the Big Ten East
Lindy’s: 7th in the Big Ten East
Street & Smith’s: 7th in the Big Ten East
Phil Steele: 7th in the Big Ten East
Impact Newcomers For The Scarlet Knights
1. Kyle Bolin, QB- Bolin is a graduate transfer from Louisville who should be an immediate upgrade over returning quarterbacks Giovanni Rescigno and Zack Allen (who was lost to an ACL tear in the spring). The fifth-year senior played in 15 games, starting six, for the Cardinals and threw for 2,104 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions before losing out to Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. Bolin has completed 58.3 percent of his passes in his career. Barring an injury, he should be under center when Rutgers hosts Washington in week one.
2. Bo Melton, WR- Outside of Janarion Grant, Rutgers lacks the big play receiver who can score from anywhere on the field. Incoming freshman Bo Melton should help provide that spark. The four-star recruit is only 5-foot-11, but has elite speed and could be starting in the season opener.
3. Tyshon Fogg, LB- Aside from having a great football name, Tyshon Fogg is another four-star recruit who can impact this team early on. At 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds Fogg has the size to jump right into the Big Ten. Fogg will have to jump a few upperclassmen, but if he shows well and Rutgers is looking ahead to 2018, he is a player whose playing time will increase.
Why Rutgers Could Shock the Hoosiers Again in Bloomington
There have been so many jokes on Twitter regarding the Rutgers athletic program, especially the football program, leading into the 2017 season, but the fact remains that Indiana is 1-2 against Rutgers and had to hold on to dear life in Piscataway last season.
The addition of quarterback Kyle Bolin and the return of dynamic receiver Janarion Grant give Rutgers some clout that they were missing in 2016 while Robert Martin is a solid running back who has given the Hoosiers fits in the past. Martin will be running behind one of the better tackles in the Big Ten in Tariq Cole.
On defense the Scarlet Knights forced five turnovers a year ago and bring back eight starters from that opportunistic crew. Isaiah Wharton and Saquon Hampton give Rutgers two solid defensive backs to match up with Indiana’s receivers.
Where Rutgers probably has an advantage is on special teams. Janarion Grant is the best kick returner in the conference and the Scarlet Knights have a knack for blocking kicks. If Rutgers can stay in the game, this could be the difference between a win and a loss.
Let’s not forget what happened in 2015 when Rutgers came back from a 52-27 deficit to ruin homecoming for IU with a 55-52 win at the buzzer.
Why The Hoosiers Will Make it Two Straight Against the Scarlet Knights
The bottom line is that this is a game the Hoosiers HAVE to win at home. It’s Senior Day, the game is in Bloomington and the Hoosiers just have more talent right now. Rutgers will be improved from a year ago, but will probably slogging through the end of a bowl-less season and trying to see what they have for 2018 and beyond.
Rutgers doesn’t really have an answer for all of Indiana’s weapons. It’ll be hard for even the best teams in the conference to match-up with both Simmie Cobbs and Nick Westbrook.
Indiana’s defense was pretty good last season against Rutgers and the unit is potentially better this year. Rutgers has some speedy receivers, but they lack size as only one of their receivers is over 6-foot-1. Indiana’s team speed on defense should be able to match Rutgers and should be able to keep them out of the end zone pretty well.
Final Analysis
Indiana should’ve have won last year’s matchup by three touchdowns had it not been for three blocked kicks and five turnovers. The Indiana passing game should again overwhelm Rutgers and the running should be just as effective. Indiana should have the advantage in every phase of the game and cap off the home schedule with a win over Rutgers.