2007 Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football Preview

2007 Rutgers Scarlet Knights season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Rutgers Scarlet Knights football preview as well as the 2007 Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football Schedule. Dont miss Maddux's winning NCAA picks against the weekly college betting lines from the best college sports handicapper.

Coach: Greg Schiano (7th year at Rutgers)
Team Name: Scarlet Knights
2006 Overall Record: 11-2
Returning Starters: 13

The transformation of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11- 2 overall, 5- 2 Big East) was completed last season as they became true contenders for the league crown and earned their first bowl victory when they beat Kansas State in the Texas Bowl. Although the Knights have only been to three post-season games in their entire history, they looked at home as they defeated State 37- 10. Rutgers, with 14 returning starters and three All-Americans, will be in the thick of it again this season.

If opponents can stop the rush, then they can stop Rutgers. The team depends upon its backs to pound away and wear down the opposition. The Scarlet Knights averaged 29.8 PPG, ranking them 22nd in scoring nationally. Junior Ray Rice (335 CAR, 1,794 YDs, 5.4 AVG, 20 TDs) and sophomore Kordell Young (29 CAR, 138 YDs, 4.8 AVG, 3 TDs) return and should be a powerful one-two punch. The offensive line, which allowed the fewest sacks in the nation, has three starters coming back. It also possesses a stable of young talent. Junior QB Mike Teel (55.4% COMP, 2,135 YDs, 12 TDs, 13 INTs) is a good game manager, who occasionally has to hit his receivers. He has proven to be dependable.

The Knight defense allowed only 14.3 PPG and were outstanding against the run and the pass. Junior DE Jamaal Westerman returns as the leader in sacks with eight. The frontline is led by senior tackle Eric Foster, who was an All-American last year. The Rutgers secondary includes All-Big East safeties Courtney Greene (82 tackles, 51 solo) and Ron Girault. SLB Brandon Renkhart, a senior, is the only returning starter on that unit. Still, there's a lot of talent at linebacker.

With a fairly comfortable schedule, the Scarlet Knights could win 10 or possibly all 12 regular season games. West Virginia and Louisville are swing contests for this club. If all goes as it should, the Knights will be in their third bowl game straight.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Away
Aug 30	Buffalo	Home
Sep 7	Navy	Home
Sep 15	Norfolk St	Home
Sep 29	Maryland	Home
Oct 6	Cincinnati	Home
Oct 13	Syracuse	Away
Oct 18	USF	Home
Oct 27	West Virginia	Home
Nov 3	Connecticut	Away
Nov 9	Army	Away
Nov 17	Pittsburgh	Home
Nov 29	Louisville	Away

 

For more info on the 2007 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football program, view the Scarlet Knights football site or you can read about other Big East teams below.