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Rutgers Preview and Prediction
By Lone Star Cat
Matchup: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-3, 0-3 B1G) at Northwestern Wildcats (2-3, 0-2 B1G)
Date: Saturday, October 16, 2021, 11:00 am CDT
TV: BTN
Line: Northwestern (+2), o/u 45
Outlook:
It’s been almost two weeks, and it’s still hard to comprehend.
Yes, we all know this Wildcat team is not the same as last year’s, but
what in the name of Mustard’s Last Stand went on in Lincoln a couple
weeks ago? Arguably the worst loss in the Fitz era, the ‘Cats
were drubbed 56-7 in a game one could easily say wasn’t even that
close.
Flush it, they say. “We’re on to Rutgers,” would be the
Belichick-ian response. I can’t. I’m not. That
display gave me visions of marshmallows being tossed about in the
stands, harkening back to a time when a return to the east lot at
halftime for another round of kegstands was the norm, without a need to
return for the second half. In Hayden Fry form, it wouldn’t have
been surprising for Scott Frost to say to Fitz at the post-game
handshake, “I hope we didn’t hurt any of your boys.”
Let’s face it… our ‘Cats ain’t very good. The defense is just
hard to watch, and I watched the Huskers torch NU for 427(!) yards on
the ground. It’s clear we now have a sufficient sample size of
four FBS games where the rush defense has proven they can’t get out of
their own way.
If there was any positive, it was that Hilinski threw some good balls
and looked as good as anyone else we’ve trotted out there behind center
so far this season. Not exactly high praise, but that’s about as
good as it gets.
Never in my life did I think I’d see the day when Northwestern is an
underdog at home to Rutgers. Having lived the vast majority of my
life in NJ, and having a degree from Rutgers, I have a soft spot for
the Scarlet Knights and root for them to do well, but for one week
every so many years. Rutgers comes into Evanston riding a
three-game losing streak. Doesn’t sound great, but those three
teams are now squarely in the top 10: Michigan, Ohio State, and
Michigan State. In each of those three games, Rutgers didn’t manage to
score more than 13 points, but don’t let that fool you. They’ve
got a decent run game and can sling it when they have to, with senior
QB Noah Vedral leading the way.
With Wisconsin and Penn State still on the schedule, this game is
likely one the Knights will be up for, as it represents a great chance
at a conference win. Coach Greg Schiano is looking to keep
Rutgers improving and on the way to bowl eligibility. This game
is key to making that happen.
After that mess for NU in Lincoln, the ‘Cats had a bye last week.
Hopefully it gave them an opportunity to refocus and get their house in
order. History is not on their side, as NU is 3-9 in weeks after
the bye during the Fitz era. Perhaps Fitz spent the off week
recruiting. Based on what we’ve seen to date, I surely hope so, but the
sell might be getting tougher:
“Look at our practice facility! Look at the huge commitment to a stadium renovation!”
“That’s great, Coach, but I can’t help but also look at the shite you’ve been trotting out on the field this year.”
After the lousy 2019 season, Fitz declared, “This will never happen
again.” Well, it’s happening. Fitz has earned the benefit
of the doubt for recovering from slow starts before, but put me in the
doubting Thomas camp this season.
Good news for the ‘Cats is that Rutgers is not as good at running the
ball as Nebraska or Michigan State, or even Duke. Bad news
is that hope is not a strategy. It’s gonna take some real work on
defense to get the job done for NU. Offensively, slow and steady
could win the race. Rutgers is far from a world beater, and
methodically moving the chains either on the ground or in the air could
be enough to get NU their first conference win. Just having a
hard time seeing it.
Pick: Do the ‘Cats play the underdog role to their advantage vs the boys from Jersey? Fuhgeddaboudit.
Take the Scarlet Knights and lay the points. Rutgers 24, Northwestern 21.
Season to date: Straight up: 3-2; Against the Spread: 2-3
The Lowes Line is an
e-mailed description of NU's
next
football game, with an invariably fearless prediction of the outcome
and
how NU will fare against what the other "experts" predict. Our
good
friend and Brother Marcus Lowes began the broadcast mailing in 1996.
The crack Lowes Line Staff (alumni Lone Star Cat,
GallopingGrapes, P.S. O'Briant, Eric Cockerill, Joel Kanvik, Charlie Simon, and
MO'Cats) have continued the Line in memory of Marcus.
For
the 2021 season it has returned to HailToPurple.com,
for anyone to enjoy. Thanks to the gridiron brain trust at the Lowes
Line!
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