Ahead of Friday night’s matchup with Rutgers, I caught up with SB Nation’s Rutgers site, On The Banks, and Andrew Rice to get the scoop on the Scarlet Knights!
MS: This is year 6 of Greg Schiano’s second stint as the Scarlet Knights head coach. His squad currently sits at 3-2. How would you rate the team’s performance so far this year?
AR: I hate to say it, but it almost feels like they have taken a step back from last year. The offense has been firing on all cylinders, but the defense has become a turnstile, and the special teams have been a mess. These aren’t usual Schiano issues, but they have shown up so far this year. This was also the year where many believed that Rutgers finally had the offense to punch into a higher weight class. With the defense and special teams falling behind, it becomes safe to say they aren’t meeting that expectation. They still won the games they absolutely should’ve won, so it could be worse, but again, it feels like a step back. If I had to give it a letter grade, I would say C-
MS: With the loss of Kyle Monangai to the NFL in the 2025 draft, how has OC Kirk Ciarocca adjusted his scheme to make up for that loss? Who are the other weapons on offense the Huskies should watch out for?
AR: Rutgers has become more of a passing team. Ian Strong, KJ Duff, and DT Sheffield make up one of the best receiving corps in the Big Ten, so it would be ridiculous not to exploit that. As for the running game itself, it has not taken much of a step back with Antwan Raymond now carrying much of the load. Raymond had a few breakout games last year when Monangai was injured, and he has already looked good this year. He might get fewer touches than Monagai, but that has more to do with the fact that they don’t need to give him as many touches because of the revamped passing attack.
MS: Robb Smith coordinates the Scarlet Knights defense. What do you like about the unit and who are the major playmakers on that side of the ball?
AR: Honestly, I haven’t liked it much. They have given up way too many chunk plays, and the run defense is really weak. With that said, if I had to pick a bright spot, I would say Defensive End Eric O’Neill. He has been a bright spot on an otherwise lackluster pass rush. Other than that, the defense really has been our Achilles heel this season.
MS: How do you see this season shaking out for the Scarlet Knights?
AR: I came into the season thinking 7-5, now I’m thinking 5-7. Rutgers needed to pull of a win against either Iowa or Minnesota to have a good shot at a bowl. They lost both. They will likely be favored to win against Purdue and Maryland, but I can’t see them pulling off a win anywhere else, especially with how they played before the bye week.
MS: It’s time for a score prediction! What will the score be to this game, a Friday night matchup in Seattle?
AR: With the way the Rutgers offense is, I know they will put up points. However, since Washington has a strong running game, which is our weakness on defense, the Huskies will be able to control the flow of the game and keep our offense off the field. Washington’s stout running defense will also limit what we can do on offense, forcing almost everything on the arm of Athan Kaliakmanis. All of those mismatches will tilt the game in the Huskies’ favor.
Washington 31, Rutgers 21
Thank you Andrew, and good luck to the Scarlet Knights the rest of the way! If you’d like to see my answers to his questions, they are here.