Game 6: Louisville

Should have been Gary Nova with that trophy

Last season, Rutgers lost the final game of the regular season to Louisville, in a game that would have sent the Scarlet Knights to the Sugar Bowl had they emerged victorious. Dropped passes, costly turn overs and a very bad call by the officiating crew did Rutgers in, and prevented them from their date with the Florida Gators in the Super Dome. A year prior to that, Rutgers dropped a close contest to the Cardinals, thanks to a pair of chip shot field goal attempts missing. This lost ended up costing the Knights a share of the Big East crown. Two years, two tough losses in games that should have been won.

A year ago, I felt that Rutgers had every advantage going in their favor in their Thursday night contest against Louisville. They were at home. Teddy Bridgewater was playing not only with a broken wrist but a sprained ankle as well. Charlie Strong was rumored to be in the running for the head coaching positions at Auburn and Tennessee. The new Call of Duty game had just been released. None of that stuff ended up mattering though, and Louisville won the game.

This year, everything seems to be going against the Scarlet Knights. They are playing their second road game in five days. They were pushed to triple overtime in their latest contest. And they've dealt with a number of injuries. Maybe they can turn the tables this time, and beat the Cardinals for the first time since 2009.

Charlie Strong's squad has yet to be tested this year. The Cards handled Ohio, Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Florida International and Temple with relative easy. All of those games were pretty much over before half time. This is one area the Scarlet Knights could have an edge, Rutgers has played three close games down to the wire, and Louisville might not be ready to play all four quarters.

Another factor working in favor or Rutgers is special teams. Janarion Grant has been a dynamic kick returner this year, and he could change this game with another one of his explosive returns. Nick Marsh is going to be very important as well for Rutgers to win the field position battle. I'm expecting a trick play out of this unit as well. They are going to maybe have to make multiple big plays for Rutgers to win tonight.

On defense, Rutgers will of course face Teddy Bridgewater, who is the best quarterback in the country in my opinion. The Knights' secondary has been torn to shreds by Fresno State and SMU, so they will be facing another tough test tonight. I'm not feeling good about this group, but schematically, Louisville isn't as much of a challenge. Rutgers had trouble with three and four receiver sets since they have stayed in base personnel, but Louisville will run more traditional sets than those two.Also, they are going to attack you more vertically, so the alignment issues and natural picks on short crossing routes won't be as big of a problem. The front seven is going have to continue to get to the quarterback like they have done so often thus far this season. The Cardinals running game should not pose much of a problem for Rutgers.

Offensively, Rutgers is going to have to put a lot of points on the board. Gary Nova has been great so far this year, and he needs to have another big day. Hopefully they can get Leonte Carroo more involved early, and maybe Brandon Coleman will be healthier than he has been so far this season. Pass protection has been some what of a problem this year, and Louisville gets after the quarterback, so some screens and short passes early should be used to try to slow them down. Savon Huggins will start, but I think Justin Goodwin will and should receive the majority of carries. Regardless of who is running, the offensive line is going to need to knock people around up front. It will be intersting to see how they split time at right guard between Chris Muller and Antwan Lowery. Muller has been very good this year, but Lowery received the bulk of playing time last Saturday.

I really hate Louisville and I really, really think the Scarlet Knights have a shot, but I sadly do not see the secondary being able to stop Bridgewater. The offense will score points and it will be closer than the experts think, but ultimatly I think the Scarlet Knights will come up just short.

Rutgers 41 Louisville 44