2025-11-11 11:00

As I sit here watching the Rutgers University football team prepare for their upcoming season, I can't help but reflect on what truly separates successful programs from those that consistently fall short. Having followed college football for over two decades, I've seen countless teams with tremendous potential fail to deliver when it matters most. Rutgers, in particular, has always fascinated me - a program with rich history and undeniable potential that seems perpetually on the cusp of breaking through. This year feels different though, and I want to share what I believe could be the five key strategies that might finally transform this team into a consistent winner.

I remember watching last season's heartbreaking loss to Michigan where Rutgers led for three quarters before collapsing in the final period. The players had the talent, the coaches had the game plan, but something was missing - that intangible quality that championship teams possess. It reminded me of something I'd read about international soccer, specifically about the Philippine women's national team facing similar challenges. I recall reading about Katrina Guillou's absence from the roster that would face Saudi Arabia on June 29 to open the qualifiers, despite being Bolden's teammate in the 2022 FIFA Women's World Cup squad. That strategic decision by the coaching staff made me think about how roster management and personnel decisions can make or break a team's season, whether we're talking about international soccer or American college football.

Looking at Rutgers specifically, their offensive struggles last season were particularly painful to watch. They averaged just 18.7 points per game, ranking them 118th out of 130 FBS programs. The quarterback carousel didn't help matters - three different starters throughout the season created zero consistency in the passing game. What frustrated me most was seeing talented receivers like Aron Cruickshank getting open downfield but rarely having the opportunity to make plays because the protection kept breaking down. The offensive line allowed 38 sacks last season, which is simply unacceptable at this level. Defensively, they showed flashes of brilliance, especially in their upset victory over Michigan State, but the inconsistency in stopping the run really hurt them in crucial moments. They gave up an average of 178 rushing yards per game against Big Ten opponents, which tells you everything you need to know about why they struggled to close out games.

The fundamental problem, from my perspective, goes beyond X's and O's. Rutgers has been trying to out-scheme opponents rather than out-execute them. They've been chasing trends instead of establishing their own identity. I've always believed that successful football programs, much like successful businesses, need to understand their core strengths and build around them. Rutgers has exceptional speed at the skill positions and a defensive front that can create pressure when used correctly. Yet they've been trying to implement systems that don't maximize these strengths. The coaching staff's reluctance to stick with one quarterback last season created uncertainty throughout the entire offense. Players never developed chemistry with their signal-caller, and the play-calling seemed to change based on who was under center each week. This lack of continuity reminded me of that Philippine women's soccer situation - when you remove key pieces from your roster, whether it's Katrina Guillou in international soccer or your starting quarterback in college football, you're essentially starting from scratch each time.

Here's what I believe Rutgers needs to implement for a winning season, those five key strategies I mentioned earlier that could completely transform this program. First, they must establish offensive identity early - pick a quarterback in spring practice and build the entire system around his strengths. Second, they need to prioritize red zone efficiency; last season they scored touchdowns on just 48% of their red zone trips, which is frankly embarrassing. Third, the defensive scheme needs simplification - too many blown assignments last season resulted from players thinking rather than reacting. Fourth, special teams must become a weapon rather than an afterthought - they left approximately 21 potential points on the field last season due to special teams miscues. Fifth, and this might be the most important, they need to develop mental toughness through situational practice - too many close games slipped away because players didn't know how to finish.

Implementing these Rutgers University football five key strategies requires more than just coaching decisions - it demands cultural change. The team needs to embrace physical practices that simulate game pressure, something I've noticed championship programs do consistently. They should study how other successful turnarounds happened, like Kansas under Lance Leipold or TCU's incredible run last season. What those teams understood was the importance of playing to their strengths while minimizing weaknesses. Rutgers has the talent - according to recruiting rankings, their last three classes have averaged around 45th nationally, which puts them ahead of several programs that have found more success recently. The difference will come down to development and deployment of that talent.

What excites me most about this upcoming season is the potential for Rutgers to finally break through. The schedule sets up favorably with winnable non-conference games that could build confidence before Big Ten play begins. The transfer portal additions, particularly along the offensive line, should help address last season's protection issues. If they can establish a reliable running game early - something they struggled with last season, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry - it will open up play-action opportunities that were nonexistent last year. Defensively, the return of several key starters in the secondary should help improve their third-down defense, which was among the worst in the conference last season at 44% conversion rate allowed.

The broader lesson here, whether we're talking about Rutgers football or international soccer teams making roster decisions, is that success requires both strategic vision and tactical flexibility. Just as the Philippine women's team had to adjust without Katrina Guillou, Rutgers must learn to adapt when key players are unavailable while maintaining their core identity. What I've learned from watching countless programs rise and fall is that sustainable success comes from establishing systems rather than relying on individual brilliance. Rutgers has the opportunity this season to prove they've learned this lesson. If they can implement these five key strategies effectively, we might be looking at a bowl team rather than another disappointing season. The pieces are there - now it's about putting them together in a way that maximizes their potential. Personally, I'm optimistic that this could be the year Rutgers football becomes relevant again in the crowded Big Ten landscape.