Punt/Counterpunt: Rutgers 2016

PUNT

By Bryan MacKenzie

On the surface, this is a mismatch. In fact, even below the surface, this is a mismatch. Okay, okay, so the layers go:

• Mismatch
• Mismatch
• Mismatch
• Mismatch
• Crust
• Mismatch
• Nougat
• Mismatch
• Mismatch
• Magma
• Mismatch
• Sesame Seed Bun

But if you dig deep enough, it's there. Something is changing in this series. You've gotta squint hard; it's like the fourth or fifth derivative. It's the rate of change in the rate of change of the rate of acceleration of the program. But Rutgers is slowly turning this thing around. And it starts for real today.

Rutgers is 2-1 against non-Top 5 opponents. They almost beat Iowa,who almost beat the team that won five straight national championships. They beat New Mexico, which is the fifth largest state in the country by area. They outscored mighty Washington (also a geographically large state) 10-0 in the fourth quarter. They forced JT Barrett into more interceptions than did Oklahoma.

Off the field, things are turning even faster. They already stole Ahmir Mitchell from the Wolverines, They have as many four-star commits in the current class as they've had in the last four recruiting classes combined. The Fence is in full operation, as Michigan hasn't landed a single commit from New Jersey in this class. Maybe Michigan's satellite camp shenanigans caught up to them, and served only to legitimize Chris Ash as a recruiting threat.

Sure, there are still some kinks to be worked out, such as the offense, defense, and special teams. But winning football games isn't about tactics or strategies or talent. It isn't even about having a general cohesive plan for scoring points or preventing the other team from scoring points. It's a positive mental outlook. And Rutgers has that. Their spirits will not be dampened by ONE mere 58-0 hamblasting. They won't slow down simply because they lost their best offensive player and their starting left tackle and their second best defender. Chris Laviano won't stop throwing the ball just because the last few dozen throws didn't go so well. Their secondary won't stop chasing receivers just because they have a couple of yard head start. No, sir. this defense will keep chasing and chasing and chasing.

Vegas, S&P+, and F+ all favor Michigan by at least thirty points. But this Rutgers team won't be intimidated by statistical realities. Because they have heart. Gumption. Pluck. And in front of tens of thousands of screaming fans this evening (many of whom will be cheering for the home team), Rutgers will shock the world. Thirty points? Clearly these guys don't know the *REAL* Rutgers. Michigan 29, Rutgers 0.

COUNTERPUNT

By Nick RoUMel

It is my goal to visit every Big Ten football venue. Trouble is, they’ve been adding teams faster than I can visit. I will be rocking Kinnick Stadium next month, which will leave Minnesota as the only traditional Big Ten venue to visit. But then there’s Nebraska, Maryland and Rutgers. So four more to go, barring another add.

Woe to those who did visit the Scarlet Pimpernel’s playground in 2014, Michigan’s first-ever joust with Rutgers. I watched the lowlights from that game this morning and watched as their senior quarterback Gary Nova torched our defense, and Michigan’s comeback fell short, 24-26.

It was odd watching De’Veon Smith score a touchdown in that game, because I have compartmentalized that version of the Wolverines as a completely different team.

Michigan was 2-3 as it traveled to Piscataway, a 3.5 point underdog, coming off the infamous home loss to Minnesota in which Dave Brandon suffered a probable major concussion to his career. People were not talking about Michigan football as a powerhouse, but as a national laughingstock. There were demonstrations and calls to boycott. Through it all, the team played with class and dignity; but could not shake the Scarlet Letter of the season, limping home with a 5-7 record.

You know the rest of the story. A scant two years later and Michigan is undefeated and a serious contender for the college football playoff. This remarkable turnaround is a testament to what happens when the entire team - from University administration, to the coaching and support staff, to those young men on the field – “believes in each other, doesn’t criticize each other, doesn’t talk about each other, and encourages each other,” to borrow a phrase from not so long ago.

Rutgers has gone the opposite direction, from a successful inaugural Big Ten season, to 4-8 last year, and an indifferent 2-2 this year. Today they are the home dog, by 30 points. Yes, 2014 was indeed a galaxy far, far away. There is no Scarlet Fever, only malaise. And at the end of the night, Rutgers shall be blue.

MICHIGAN 48, RUTGERS 3