Phil Steele took a bold step last summer when he predicted that Rutgers football would finally break its nine-year bowl bid drought in the 2023 season. And boy, did he hit the nail on the head! Now, Steele is back with even higher expectations for the Scarlet Knights as they head into the 2024 season.
Using his extensive conversations with head coaches across the sport and his own analytical models, Steele's 2024 comprehensive season preview magazine suggests that Rutgers has “the talent and schedule to make some noise” in head coach Greg Schiano’s fifth season of his second stint. With such an exciting forecast, there's plenty to break down.
Rutgers' Projected Performance
Phil Steele has placed Rutgers among the 24 teams he expects to finish with an equal or better record than last season. For context, Steele’s track record is impressive; over the past 19 years, 81% of the teams he’s projected to improve (243 out of 301) have done so. After a solid 6-6 finish in the regular season last year, Steele’s power ratings now project the Scarlet Knights to finish with an 8-4 record this fall. This improvement, according to Steele, will come thanks to a combination of factors:
- Quarterback Play: With better performance expected from the quarterback position, this improvement is a crucial piece of the puzzle.
- Veteran Offensive Line: A seasoned offensive line is set to provide the necessary protection and support.
- Underrated Running Backs: The running back squad, often flying under the radar, is ready to make a significant impact.
Steele predicts that these elements will help Rutgers' offense average 29.1 points per game, a notable jump of 5.9 points from last season.
Schedule Advantages
One of the most exciting aspects of Steele's predictions is Rutgers' schedule. He boldly claims that Rutgers has “the Big Ten’s best schedule.” Here’s why:
- Avoiding Top Teams: Rutgers dodges matchups with some of the toughest teams in the Big Ten, including Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, and Iowa.
- Strength of Schedule: Nationally, Rutgers ranks 61st in Steele’s strength of schedule rankings, a significant improvement from the 11th-toughest schedule they faced last season.
Defensive Strengths
Steele also highlights the strength of Rutgers' defense, which returns eight starters and is expected to be among the top defenses statistically in the Big Ten. This experienced group is poised to be a cornerstone of the team's success this season.
Big Ten Rankings
Overall, Steele places Rutgers eighth in his Big Ten rankings. He notes, “Rutgers does not play any of the top five teams in the Big Ten... they have five Big Ten home games, this is Greg Schiano’s best team since he returned and they have the league’s best schedule!”
Position Group Rankings
Steele didn’t stop there; he went on to rank each position group within the conference and on a national level. Here’s where Rutgers stands out:
- Quarterback: Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis, nicknamed the 'Greek Rifle,' is expected to boost both his own stats and those of the team.
- Wide Receiver: This group is poised to achieve their best numbers in years.
- Offensive Line: Described as the best since Schiano’s return, with 123 career starts, though Steele notes it hasn’t yet reached the level of dominance Schiano desires.
Player Rankings and NFL Prospects
Steele also ranked individual players within the Big Ten and highlighted their NFL Draft potential. Five Scarlet Knights made Steele’s preseason all-conference teams:
- Kyle Monangai (RB): First team
- Mohamed Toure (LB): Second team
- Hollin Pierce (LT): Third team
- Robert Longerbeam (DB): Fourth team
- Flip Dixon (DB): Fourth team
Special Recognition for Kyle Monangai
Kyle Monangai earned a special mention by being named the running back for SiriusXM College Sports Radio’s All-Meathead Radio team. This unique recognition celebrates players who embody grit, physicality, toughness, and loyalty — traits that define a 'meathead' in the most complimentary way. The description sums it up perfectly:
“What does it mean to be a meathead? Well, on Meathead Radio over on Off Campus on SiriusXM College Sports Radio, it’s a term of endearment. You are a guy that has a combination of grit, physicality, toughness, and loyalty. You can always count on a meathead to get the job done. Chances are, if you can’t find him, he’s either in the weight room under a stack of heavy weights or in a film room with a clicker in his hands. We’ve put a list together of guys that are always going to be team-first, and as they’ve shown, will put their body on the line for that extra inch. Always remember, 'Too Gritty, to Be Pretty' is the Meathead motto!”
Excitement and Expectations
With Steele’s predictions, there’s a palpable sense of excitement for Rutgers fans. The combination of a favorable schedule, an improved offense, a strong defense, and standout individual players sets the stage for a potentially historic season for the Scarlet Knights.
Steele’s insights and projections offer a thrilling outlook for Rutgers football in 2024. If his track record is anything to go by, fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the upcoming season. Whether it’s the improved quarterback play, the solid veteran offensive line, the underrated running backs, or the overall strength of the defense, Rutgers is poised to make a significant impact this fall. And with a schedule that avoids some of the Big Ten’s heavyweights, the path to an 8-4 record and beyond seems not just possible, but likely.
So, gear up Rutgers fans, because if Phil Steele’s projections hold true, the Scarlet Knights are set to shine bright this season!
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