Interviews with Frenemies: Rutgers

Penn State heads to Piscataway on Saturday looking to even its mark at 6-6 and reach bowl eligibility. Meanwhile, Rutgers has the same mark and the same goal. So how has the year gone for the Scarlet Knights? We checked in with Andrew Rice, managing editor of On the Banks, our sister SB Nation Rutgers site, to get an idea of how things were going.

1. It had been a study build for Greg Schiano since returning to Rutgers, in terms of overall record and Big Ten record, heading into this year. Would you categorize this year as a disappointment as the Scarlet Knights are in need of a win for bowl eligibility?

My answer here really depends on Saturday’s result. There were times I was disappointed this year, but not earning bowl eligibility would make me label the whole year as a disappointment. Are there games we should’ve been able to win earlier in the year? Yes. Did I expect this team to be better than last year? No.

2. The offense has struggled against the best teams it has faced – Oregon and Ohio State. Penn State has not had its typical defense, but it still boasts athletes of that caliber and has played better in recent weeks. What will the Knights try to do to attack Penn State and who are players that the Lions will need to account for over the course of the afternoon?

I would hope they would throw everything, including the kitchen sink, to pull off a win in this game. However, in typical Schiano fashion, I expect them to try to play a balanced game, possibly using the pass to set up the run. DT Sheffield, Ian Strong, and KJ Duff are the three NFL-caliber wide receivers Rutgers has on staff, and they can wreak havoc if the ball can actually get to them. In the running game, the Knights have Antwan Raymond, who has set himself apart as one of the best running backs in the Big Ten so far this season.

However, it all comes down to quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and the offensive line to see if we can even use those weapons. We have playmakers. Whether or not they get used effectively is up in the air.

3. Flipping over to defense, Rutgers played really hard and really well for a half in Columbus last week before ultimately wearing down. Since that bad loss to Oregon, it seems this group has been up to the challenge. Same kind of question – what will they try to do to slow Penn State and who are some guys who can cause havoc?

What changed is the defensive play caller. After a disastrous start to the season under Rob Smith, Schiano took over playcalling duties for the defense. What we have seen from this change is that the defense is much more aggressive now, focused more on attacking the offense rather than bending and not breaking. (Which they did a lot)

One guy to watch is DE Eric O’Neill. He seems to be adjusting more to this level with every passing game, and he seems to be blooming as a solid run stopper for the Knights’ defensive line.

4. Big picture question – moving forward, what are legitimate goals that you would have for Rutgers now that they’ve established themselves as a competitive and consistent bowl eligible caliber team? What has to change for that next step to happen?

For now, Rutgers should focus on being a consistent presence in warm-weather bowls. That is the next step up. Turnarounds like Indiana’s are one in a million, and building a program in college football takes a really long time, even longer if you’re trying to build one at a place like Rutgers. Consistent appearances in warm-weather bowls will go a long way in moving the needle from consistently 6-6 or 7-5 to consistently 8-4 and the occasional 9-3.

For that to happen, the Knights need to hire a good defensive coordinator. That’s what really held Rutgers back early on this year, and the biggest area of need on their coaching staff. There are also other areas, like the need for more NIL, which Rutgers has already begun rolling out a plan to address.

5. Predictions and keys for Saturday?

The key to this game is which team can drag the other into the matchup they want to play. If Penn State can stop Rutgers’ offense in general and force the Knights into a low-scoring game, they will likely win. If Rutgers can limit the Lions’ rushing attack and force them into a high-flying pass-first type game, the Knights will likely win. Call me a little hopeful, but because Rutgers’ defense has looked better in recent weeks, I believe they can hold on just enough for the Knights’ offense to seize the initiative.

Rutgers 28, Penn State 24