Rutgers Scarlet Knights Football: 2015 Season Preview and Prediction

Sep 27, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Desmon Peoples (6) spins away from Tulane Green Wave safety Darion Monroe (2) in the second half at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive Breakdown

The Scarlet Knights have a new offensive coordinator for the sixth straight year after losing Ralph Friedgen, but not much should change there since Ben McDaniels, who is taking over, studied under Fridge last year. He will likely keep the same system, which involved balance for the most part.

Quarterback Gary Nova is gone, and competing to take his place are sophomores Chris Laviano and LSU transfer Hayden Rettig. Laviano had a better spring, according to reports, but Rettig has far more potential if he can get put in the right situation.

Whichever quarterback is named the starter, though, will have lots of returning weapons to play with. That starts with leading receiver Leonte Carroo, who is back for his senior season after 55 catches last year for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns. Janarion Grant, Andre Patton, and John Tsimis will also see action at receiver after contributing last year.

The running game had no major rushers last year, but all five players who contributed by committee last year are back this year, so there should be no problems.

The offensive line is the biggest issue for this unit, with the top three starters from last year gone. Senior tackle Keith Lumpkin and junior guard Chris Muller are the only returning starters, but Flood has 10 other guys to pick from to fill the other three spots on the line, six of whom are freshman. The line will be a little raw this year.

This year’s offense for Rutgers should be worse than last year’s at the beginning with a new quarterback and so many new offensive linemen, but it has a lot more potential, and things should start to come together later in the season. The only question is how late that will be.

The good news is kicker Kyle Federico is back, and despite two missed PAT’s last year, he still went 16 of 21 on field goals, including 11 of 12 from within 40 and a very solid five of nine from beyond 40.

Next: Defensive Outlook