Rutgers Will Take on Virginia Tech in the Russell Athletic Bowl

 Rutgers has accepted an invitation to the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Florida, where they will take on the Virginia Tech Hokies on December 28. It's not the BCS game the team and the fans were looking for, but it's a nice consolation prize, and this is probably the best bowl game Rutgers has ever been selected to. The Scarlet Knights are of course some what familiar with the Virginia Tech, as the Hokies were their conference mates in the Big East from 1991-2004, but the teams will face off for the first time since Tech jumped ship to the ACC. The Hokies had a disappointing 6-6 season, but this is still an exciting match up for Rutgers, as they take on a very well respected program who plays a similar style of football as them.

Rutgers is only 3-11 all time against Virginia Tech, but obviously a lot has changed since they last met in 2004. The Scarlet Knights are no longer a doormat, and the Hokies will have a much tougher time winning this one than they have in previous match ups. The most memorable game these two played was the 1992 contest on Halloween, in which the Scarlet Knights rallied from behind to pull off a last second 50-49 victory on home coming. That Rutgers team featured freshman Marco Battaglia and Ray Lucas playing in a limited role, and current athletic director Tim Pernetti. It was Rutgers only win over Virginia Tech while they were both Big East teams. There's a video on Youtube with some of the highlights of the game, if you're interested.

The Hokies have been a disappointment this year, finishing only 6-6, but Frank Beamer has his squad in a bowl game for the 20th consecutive season. They are a very similar team to Rutgers, as they have a very strong defense that is especially tough against the run, but an offense that has struggled mightily at times. Logan Thomas was supposed to improve off his very good 2011 and play himself into a first round pick, but the QB took some steps back this season, committing too many mistakes. Their running game was sub par, as they had a bunch of inexperienced players on the offensive line, and were  unable to replace David Wilson in the backfield. Jack Tyler is the leader of their defense at linebacker, and James Gayle is a dangerous pass rusher of the edge. Corner back Kyle Fuller is also a stand out player. The Hokies are known for their special teams, but that unit has not been very strong this year.

I know a lot of Rutgers fans are disappointed and down on this game, but this is another opportunity for the team to play on a national stage against a well respected program and they need our support. The team needs to send the seniors off the right way and build towards next year. Virginia Tech is a similar team to Rutgers, and they are probably the most intriguing opponent the team has played in a bowl game since maybe Kansas State in 2006. Going to Orlando is a nice reward for the team for their strong season, and hopefully they are able to extend the nation's longest bowl winning streak.