Knightfall

Rich Ellerson's presser quotes are up.


Phil Steele looks at the Army/Rutgers matchup.

#24 Rutgers vs Army

RU has now won 7 in a row vs Army. Last year in Yankee Stadium, Army was off a tough loss to Air Force and QB Steelman was out with an injury. RU only led 13-12 when they blocked a P for a td with 6:36 left and then on 3&7 when a FD might have let them run out the clock, they got a 56 yard td run by Jamison. Both teams played Kent St this year and both lost despite outgaining the Golden Flashes. Army now has a shot to win its 1st Commander In Chief’s Trophy since ‘96 after last week’s 41-21 win over AF snapping the Knights 13 game losing streak vs their service academy rivals. Steelman ran and threw for 100 yards and they benefitted from +5 TO’s. RU is fresh off a bye off its loss to Kent while Army plays for a 10th straight week and RU has extra time to prep for the bone with a large D edge (#18-117).
PHIL’S FORECAST: RUTGERS 34 ARMY 13

Here's a Rutgers/Army preview. I don't envision a 35-14 final score.


and another preview.

FACTS & FIGURES: Army has played in Piscataway three times since 1972 and has lost all three. ...The Black Knights have an 11-game losing streak in games played away from West Point, and they have lost 14 straight vs. Big East competition. ...Army hasn't beaten a ranked team since knocking off Air Force in 1972. ...Rutgers leads the Big East and is 10th nationally with 13 interceptions. DBs Brandon Jones and Logan Ryan have four picks apiece. With a win, Rutgers would have its best start since 2006 (9-0). ...The Scarlet Knights are shooting for eight wins for the sixth time in seven seasons.

One thing that stands out in my mind in regard to Rutgers is that Army is due and overdue to beat the Scarlet Knights. In regard to Rutgers I've probably it before and felt pretty confident in an Army win, but that doesn't change the fact that Rutgers is due to lose to Army and due to take a head-scratching mid-season loss as well.





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