Tag: Rutgers

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Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Preview and Prediction

Virginia Tech has had good moments this season. There are times in each game where the defense is getting stops and the offense is scoring points. The issue is that the Hokies still haven’t been able to put together a full 60 minute game. They got close last week but the offense went into a coma in the 2nd quarter. Let’s see if this is the week they can put it all together.

SP+ Rankings

Virginia Tech

Overall: 35th
Offense: 44th
Defense: 35th
Special Teams: 53rd

Rutgers

Overall: 41st
Offense: 77th
Defense: 21st
Special Teams: 35th

Rutgers is a very physical team. The Hokies have yet to play a team this season with this level of physicality. If Tech wants to win, they need to be able to match Rutgers’ intensity. RB Kyle Monangai is one of the most physical runners in the country. You need to bring your lunchpail if you’re going to meet him in the hole. I’m not sure if Tech is ready for a physical game like this. Rutgers has played Howard and Akron so far, so maybe Tech will be a big step up in competition for them too. For Tech to win, they need to be able to stop the run. If Monangai goes for 150, it’s going to be tough for the Hokies to win.

It’s tough to get a read on Rutgers’ defense based on who they have played. You’d expect a Greg Schiano coached team to play good defense. But it’s hard to gauge quality based on who they’ve played so far. If Tech can bring their physicality to the run game, they may give this defense some problems. Once again, this is a game where Tech needs to establish the run game and then bring in the play action passing game downfield. This offense works best when they are able to run the ball first.

This is a game where Tech either wins by one possession or loses by multiple touchdowns. There is no in between. If Tech can’t stop the run, they are going to get blown out. But if they can find gameplan to stop Monangai, they should be okay. This isn’t the scariest offense outside of one guy. I said that about Diego Pavia too and we all remember how that turned out. I’ve been going back and forth on this one all week but I feel like I’m trying to talk myself into a Tech win when it’s not really there in the numbers. I’d pick VT if I felt like they could consistently stop the run but I don’t think they’ll be able to.

Prediction: Rutgers 31, Virginia Tech 17

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Marshall vs Virginia Tech Preview and Prediction

There was some good from the Rutgers game and a lot of bad. The good? Tech found a quarterback in Kyron Drones that fits this offense. This offense needs to go back to what worked in 2016 with Jerod Evans — one read and go. That’s what I saw with Drones last week. We need to keep it simple. I’ve also spotted a pattern with this team:

SP+ Rankings

Virginia Tech

Overall: 78th
Offense: 92nd
Defense: 60th
Special Teams: 51st

Marshall

Overall: 72nd
Offense: 93rd
Defense: 38th
Special Teams: 94th


Marshall has a balanced offense. If Tech wants to win this week, they need to limit the big runs that have plagued them the past two weeks. Marshall has a talented running back in Rasheen Ali who can break a big play. The Hokies have to play their assignments and not lose contain on the running back. Tech needs to focus their attention on the run and make Marshall beat them through the air.

Marshall has a good secondary. If you’re going to beat them, you have to do it on the ground. This is where Kyron Drones needs to be able to gobble up yards on the ground to open the game up for the rest of the offense. This would be a good week to incorporate more option looks. This needs to be the Drones-Tuten show. This shouldn’t be the week the Hokies air it out all over the field.

Marshall is coming off an early bye week. I actually don’t like teams taking a bye week this early in the season. It usually causes more issues than it fixes. I’d expect Marshall to get off to a bit of slow start. The Hokies need to take advantage and work quick to get points on the board. They also need to make sure to put a couple of drives together to keep their defense from wearing out late in the game. I see this game like the Purdue game. Low-scoring and the team that can finish a drive in the 4th quarter wins.

Prediction: Marshall 24, Virginia Tech 17

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Rutgers vs Virginia Tech Preview and Prediction

Virginia Tech lost a close one to Purdue but there was a lot to be concerned about from that game. First, it looks like Ali Jennings may be out for a long time. That’s troubling because he is clearly this team’s number one receiving option. Second, in consecutive games this team could not run the ball at all. Third, things are a mess at quarterback where Grant Wells hasn’t performed well and now may be injured. This team has a lot of question marks going into the Rutgers game.

I owe the State of New Jersey an apology. I got schooled by @BillyRayTweets here:

SP+ Rankings

Virginia Tech

Overall: 73rd
Offense: 93rd
Defense: 50th
Special Teams: 21st

Purdue

Overall: 59th
Offense: 80th
Defense: 37th
Special Teams: 43rd


Rutgers is a mediocre offensive team. To be fair, they are very balanced. They do a good job of mixing the run in with the pass. Kyle Monangai is their most explosive running back. They use him like we used Raheem Blackshear (former Rutgers transfer) where he can get yards on the ground but also in the pass game. Their weakness on offense is their pass game. Look for Tech to try to force the issue and make QB Gavin Wimsatt beat them with his arm. This looks like an offense that Tech should be able to slow down, if they can stop Monangai and their run game.

Rutgers has a top-20 defense. This defense looks like it’s no joke. This is year 4 of Greg Schiano and you can tell he has put his mark on this defense. This defense is giving up only 40 rushing yards per game. Tech is coming off a game where they only rushed for 11 yards against a much worse defense. This seems like a mismatch and one that Rutgers should have a sizable advantage.

Rutgers looks like a solid team. They are trying to get their offense in gear but the defense is more than holding up their end. This seems like a tough spot for the Hokies in their first true road game. Tech’s offense is struggling and they are going up against a good defensive team. Not to mention, this could be Kyron Drones’ first start if Grant Wells isn’t able to go. This doesn’t look like the week that Tech’s offense will figure it out. More than likely this is a wake-up call for the offense.

Prediction: Rutgers 31, Virginia Tech 10

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Rutgers Q&A with Bruce Jones

You can follow Bruce on Twitter at @RuFan130. You can also check out his 501(c)(3) charitable organization at JennisToys.org. Bruce joined us this week for a game week Q&A.

Tell us about yourself and your charity.

My name is Bruce Jones. My wife, Kelly, and I met at Rutgers and graduated in 2010. We live in Central Jersey with our 3 boys. Jake is 3. Tyler and Ryan are 6 months old. I work in logistics and Kelly is an occupational therapist. Together we run a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in memory of my sister. You can check it out at JennisToys.org.

Tell us about your team this year. What are your expectations for Rutgers this season? 

The team this year is at a crossroad. We are in Schiano 2.0 year 4 and some fans are getting frustrated at the lack of success (myself included). Recruiting has really picked up however and the AD is making big investments into coaching. Back to the question… The team this year is built around a really strong defense and an offense hoping to figure it out. My prediction was 6-6 but it will certainly be a challenge. 

What are your thoughts on playing Virginia Tech? 

The thought of Virginia Tech gives me nightmares. My earliest memories as a Rutgers fan was coming to games in the 90s and getting run out of our own building by the Hokies. With that being said, I love playing one another. Good regional rivalry, old Big East foes. Great job by both schools making it happen.

How do you view the Virginia Tech program? 

They’re in a weird spot. Almost 2 decades straight of bowl games and the magic seems to be gone. I love Coach Pry. You have one of the best atmospheres in college football. I have no doubt you’ll find success again soon.

Do you think Virginia Tech would be a good fit for the Big Ten at some point in the future? 

I love the fit in so many ways. Great school. Great athletic department  I think the only issue is lack of AAU membership. 

What are your expectations for the Virginia Tech game? 

I expect a defensive game. Two head coaches who really excel on that side of the ball battling it out. I’m sure we will see a lot of running from Rutgers and Wells slinging the ball around. Should be a fun one with a great atmosphere 

What’s your prediction for the game? 

Rutgers 22, Virginia Tech 17