2007 Rutgers Scarlet Knights College Football Picks & Predictions


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

With an offense filled with talent and a school-record eight home games, the Scarlet Knights should be in the thick of the Big East title chase again. Running back Ray Rice is a big reason for the optimism. Rice rushed for a school-record 1,794 yards and 20 touchdowns last year, topping the 100-yard barrier in 10 games. The Knights also have enough talent and big-play ability at wide receiver to make this offense multi-dimensional. Quarterback Mike Teel is a fourth-year junior who finished his first full season as a starter with a flourish. Teel had no interceptions in his last 5 games.

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Kenny Britt is an athletic 6-5 receiver who flashed star potential in the second half of the year, and eventually emerged as Teel’s go-to receiver. He enters just his sophomore season this year. The reliable Tiquan Underwood and sophomore speedster Tim Brown (25.2 yards per catch last year) are also a part of a deep receiving corps. Teel should have plenty of time to find these three targets with an offensive line that returns three starters. This line led the nation in fewest sacks allowed with just eight. The unit is anchored by Jeremy Zuttah, a first-team All-Big East tackle, along with left tackle Pedro Sosa, a three-year starter. True freshman Anthony Davis is a preseason freshman All-American and obviously hopes to contribute right away.

The defense is led by tackle Eric Foster, a first-team All-American last year. Jamaal Westerman and George Johnson are tagged to be a special duo at defensive end. Safeties Courtney Green and Ron Girault, both with All-Big East potential, give Rutgers as good a tandem as any in the country. Jason McCourty returns as one starting corner. His twin brother, Devin, will man the other spot.

Linebacker is the Scarlet Knights’ biggest concern on this side of the ball. Rutgers has to replace four-year starter Devraun Thompson in the middle and three-year starter Quintero Frierson on the outside. These were two key players that had the Knights finishing No. 4 nationally in total defense last year. The middle is still up for grabs heading into the fall. There is a possibility that returning outside linebacker Brandon Renkart will be moved there. Junior Kevin Malast should be solid at one of the outside spots.

The Knights tied a school record for victories by going 11-2 and won the program’s first ever bowl game while winding up at No. 12 in the polls, the highest finish in school history. The schedule sets up nicely with eight home games and only two major obstacles in South Florida and West Virginia, both at home. The potential is there for Rutgers to be 11-0 going into its regular season finale at Louisville. The battle between West Virginia, Louisville and this Rutgers’ squad will be interesting to see play out in 2007.

Odds to Win BCS:
Sportsbook:  100-1
Bodog:          40-1
BetUS:         +2200

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