Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2017 NCAA Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2017 NCAA Football Preview

2016 Recap

2016 Record – 2-10

2016 ATS – 4-8

Yikes. Well, we knew it was not going to be pretty.

The Scarlet Knights started the season off with two wins in their first three contests and then promptly lost their next NINE straight games to finish off the campaign at 2-10. It’s hard to win games when you score 16 points per game and allow over 37. Yes, my friends, THAT is a HOT TAKE.

2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

Big 10 – TBD

East Division – TBD

OFFENSE

Anything is going to be better than the HOT MESS Rutgers fans endured at QB last season. The Scarlet Knights were not only last in Big 10 in total offense and passing offense but they were also the only team that completed less than 50% of their passes. The good news is that Rutgers will benefit this season from the transfer of former Louisville QB Kyle Bolin who will have last season’s leading WR Jawaun Harris back in the mix as well as a healthy Janarion Grant. The offense also returns last year’s leading rusher Robert Martin. We are concerned about an offensive line that is lacking in experience and size. It feels like this offense has limited upside, but to be fair, they will most certainly be better than the unit that took the field in 2016.

DEFENSE

Chris Ash has proven pedigree when it comes to defense, but having said that, he certainly has his work cut out for him at Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights were ranked last in the Big 10 last year in total defense and 2nd last in scoring defense (37.5 points per game). This season they return eight starters to the stop unit and you have to believe that Ash will have a better idea of the personnel he is working with on defense. The LB unit is very experienced with all three starters returning including leading tackler Trevor Morris (102). The secondary also brings back 3/4 starters and they only allowed 58% completions last season. They should take a step forward. We still worry about the Scarlet Knights’ ability to get PENETRATION as they only tallied 21 sacks last season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

This looks like a team strength. Ace return man Janarion Grant is back this season and appears to be recovered from an injury that cost him most of last season. PK Gavin Haggerty nailed 10/14 FGs in 2016 but was just 1/4 from 40+ yards. Their punting was atrocious last year and they have added Ryan Anderson to perform those duties. He was a D-III force in 2016.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot

Nov 18 – at Indiana. This will be the fourth straight game away from home for the Scarlet Knights. If they have been eliminated from bowl contention by now it will be a tough spot to ask them to cover.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Rutgers lost games last season by scores of 58-0, 78-0, 49-0 and 39-0. We will get our SMOKESHOW INTERNS on the research case but it is hard to believe that any FBS team has ever been shutout four times in a season by a combined 224-0.

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 3.5

MEGALOCKS says:

Overall, we give the SCARLET KNIGHTS a 3.5 ATS Value Rating (Below Average) this season.

It feels like another tough season is in store for Rutgers. Things will get better. We are just not sure it will be this season. There are some winnable games on the docket so it is not out of the question they could bag three or four wins before their last two games with Indiana and Michigan St. Miracles can happen. And there is some talent on board.

Rutgers is just 8-16 ATS over the past two seasons. We will not go full FADE MODE on this team but will probably avoid banking on them too often.

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