Game 4: Navy

Rutgers heads down to Annapolis today to take on the Navy Midshipmen and hopefully pick up the pieces from last week's heart breaking loss to Penn State. This is a classic trap game, even though the Knights lost last week, since Navy is a solid team with a dangerous offense and Rutgers could be looking back at last week and/or ahead to playing Michigan in a few weeks. Hopefully they were focused this week in practice, because Navy as always presents an intersesting and difficult challenge.

On offense, Rutgers needs to get Paul James going again. They shied away from the run game to their own detriment last week, and they need to establish James early to get out to a lead and make Navy play from behind. Rutgers offensive line is a lot better than Navy up front, and they need to make their presence felt. If you want to hit Leonte Carroo off of play action to try to get a bigg play and Nova's confidence up, fine. But be the running football team that you are today.

On defense, Rutgers must stay disciplined to stop Navy's triple option and various constraint plays. Interior guys on the fullback, outside guys on the quarterback, ddefensivebacks on the slot backs. It's not that easy, but it can be done. Rutgers has usually played out of the nickel package with a rover (I would expect it to be Davon Jacobs today) to get more speed on the field to stop run, so watch for that. Let Darius Hamilton and co. make plays in the backfield and get them off schedule. That will really throw a wrench in things. As will getting out to a big lead and making them pass. They do not want to do that/

Rutgers should win this game, but who knows how focused they will be for various reasons. Hopefully the offense gets back on track and the defense builds upon last week.

Rutgers 24 Navy 21

Half Time Injury Update: Starting cornerback Nadir Barnwell and starting linebacker Kevin Snyder both did not suit up today. Not having Snyder's veteran presence could have hurt against the triple option team, but the linebackers are doing fine. Barnwell is good in run support and Navy is throwing effectively so it hurts not having him,

Wide receivers Andre Patton and Ruhan Peele are both out for the fourth consecutive game.

Runningback Paul James went down with an apparent leg injury and looks to be done for the day.

Free safety Delon Stephenson also seems to be out for the rest of this one with an injury.