Rutgers & Memphis Football 2014 – Better, Worse or about the Same?

Rutgers Football 2014 – Better, Worse or about the Same?

OFFENSE

This is the million dollar question. They have so much talent on the perimeters. Ralph Friedgen is an elite level offensive coordinator, where due to timing the Scarlet Knights luckily landed. Leonte Carroo looks to be a Day 1 or 2 NFL draft pick. Ruhann Peele (although the injury is a mystery) looks too be a serious threat. The offensive line was fair to good, but with a lot more experience, should be a high level unit.

However, it all falls on Gary Nova who probably has looked like a bottom tier D1 QB. He’s the likely starter, and he will have to make it click. He’s capable, but there’s something not clicking in that head of his. If Fridge can be a difference and Nova gets his act together, the offense would be improved. If Gary Nova stays Gary Nova, it will be a situation where it doesn’t matter who else is around him.

DEFENSE

It should be slightly better. Dave Cohen was just a disaster at the coordinator position. My biggest criticism with coaching is that they didn’t seem to identify problems fast enough. Instead, they kept digging their heels harder on losing strategies and almost blaming the talent.

I lose “guy cred” for this comment. But, it reminds me of that blonde chick from that Anna Kendrick movie Pitch Perfect. You can’t win with Ace of Bass’s “The Sign”, you gotta go Ne-Yo out into your routine and stop blaming the execution by the team. I don’t see the defense being that stout, except for the linebackers. But, I do think that they will improve enough to be serviceable under a new defensive coordinator and some experience under their belt.

Rutgers 2014 – Better, worse or about the same as last year?

They will be worse when it comes to record, as the B1G will a huge step up in competition. I still think they’ll beat Penn State. But, I predict a 5 win season with a lot more competitive efforts than last year.

Brooklyn Observer of On The Banks provided the information for our Rutgers Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Rutgers football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow him on Twitter @bkobserver.

Memphis Football 2014 – Better, Worse or about the Same?

OFFENSE

The Memphis offense will be better, primarily because of the familiar faces at skill positions (a rarity in recent Tiger history). Paxton Lynch returns at QB, tailback Brandon Hayes was granted a 6th year of eligibility, and a trio of receivers (wouldn’t call them playmakers just yet) will be back: Joe Craig, Sam Craft, and Keiwone Malone. Big question (annually in Memphis) is the offensive line.

DEFENSE

The Memphis defense should improve, if marginally, for the same reason as the offense: more experience. DE Martin Ifedi will play on Sundays and should draw double teams all season. Charles Harris and Ryan Coleman are a pair of sturdy (if not spectacular) linebackers. And cornerback Bobby McCain may be the most exciting player on the Tiger roster.

Memphis 2014 – Better, worse or about the same as last year?

The Tigers were better than their record (3-9) a year ago. And with a tougher schedule, the same may be the case in 2014. Nonconference road games against UCLA and Ole Miss will not pad the Memphis record. On the other hand, defending AAC champ UCF falls off the schedule (though Memphis nearly beat the Knights last fall). Forecast: 5-7.

Frank Murtaugh of Memphis Magazine provided the information for our Memphis Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Memphis city & football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Frank on Twitter @FrankMurtaugh.