Rutgers And USF Continue to Travel in Opposite Directions

One team started the season 1-5 and was widely considered to be regressing back to the way things had long been. The other started 5-0, was ranked in the top-10, and everyone was once more singing the praises of a coach that didn't just build but created the football program at the school.

Yeah, it's safe to say that a lot has changed for both teams since then. Rutgers, with the 49-16 road whipping on USF. has gone 4-0 since. It includes a 20-point road win over top-20 Pitt. Rutgers has rediscovered its offense and QB Mike Teel has something resembling touch on his passes once more. The defense has remained consistent through most of the season which has helped.

For USF, it is a second straight year of a second-half collapse. This time, a 1-4 stretch where the offense has shot itself in the foot continually with turnovers, penalties and not getting into the endzone. The defense has likewise been sloppy and inconsistent.

This game was a microcosm for both teams in the second half stretch. Rutgers' defense was putting constant pressure upfront that completely harassed Matt Grothe and kept him contained. They forced 6 turnovers. The offense was all about the pass as Teel had just under 300 yards. For USF, six turnovers and 10 penalties for 100 yards. The Bulls threw for over 300 yards, but could only get two touchdowns from the offense. The defense was continually burned for big plays.

As strange as it may seem, both teams could end the season 7-5, but Rutgers could finish Big East play 5-2. That record would likely have them finish second in the conference, but it isn't out of the possibility that they could end up finishing with a share of first place in the Big East.