Indiana Football Opponent Q&A: Getting to know Rutgers

Q: Rutgers is 5-2 on the season, the best start since 2014. It is also off to a 2-2 start in league play, the best start since 2017. What is the biggest all-around difference in this Rutgers team this season than in years past?

Talent, depth and coaching are all improved. It’s all led to Rutgers limiting mistakes, not beating themselves and wearing down teams equal or worse than them on paper in the fourth quarter. RU is 14th nationally in fewest penalties at 4.29 per game and 26th in turnover margin at +4. It’s made a huge difference.

In addition, the team is fully immersed in the culture that head coach Greg Schiano has built. Every player on offense is a willing  blocker. On defense, this group plays with energy and swarms to the ball.

Overall, Rutgers is winning the matchup games they have to win to make progress. They’re doing it by playing complementary football, by playing hard and believing in one another.

Q: Gavin Wimsatt is off to a good start this season and has been extremely consistent. What has been the biggest difference in his game / skillset from last year to this year? Also, Indiana has struggled with mobile quarterbacks — would you say he is more of a run-first running QB or situational running QB?

Gavin Wimsatt has a ton of talent including a big arm. But the key in his development from last season has been his full commitment to getting better and buying into OC Kirk Ciarrocca’s mentorship. That’s not to say he wasn’t before, but Ciarrocca has come in and made a major impact on Wimsatt. His decision making, confidence and command of the huddle are vastly improved. So is his mental toughness and ability to turn the page on a bad play or drive quickly. He is a true dual threat quarterback who can make plays with his legs. However, he doesn’t run too often. Wimsatt does operate the RPO and has sprung free a few times. He’s handled the doubts and criticism well, ascending to a true leader on the team.

Q: Rutgers brings a very confident and effective defense to Bloomington, while Indiana brings in a struggling offense still looking for some sort of identity. How have teams had success against the Rutgers defense and what areas have opponents tried to exploit? 

The Rutgers defense is graded the top tackling team in the country per Pro Football Focus. They’re fundamentally sound, don’t allow big plays and swarm to the ball consistently. The defensive line features Aaron Lewis and Wesley Bailey on the edge, which have led Rutgers to 11 sacks in Big Ten play, third most.

Mo Toure has been a force playing a hybrid role between the edge and as a linebacker. Deion Jennings and Tyreem Powell have been very good at linebacker as sure tacklers and are good in pass coverage.

The secondary has been solid and are in nickel coverage most of the time. Max Melton and Robert Longerbeam are good corners while the three safeties are playmakers in Flip Dixon, Desmond Igbinuson and Shaquan Loyal. Per PFF, Dixon is graded the No. 2 ranked safety in college football.

In terms of opponents attacking the Rutgers defense, Michigan had success in both the pass and the run. However, no other team has had nearly the same amount of success. Even Wisconsin was unable to generate much consistency with its offense. I  think teams that try to attack them with the pass could have success downfield if they can establish the run first. Mobile quarterbacks have had some modest success as well.

Q: We know about Wimsatt and Kyle Monangai offensively, but who are some of the other key playmakers on that side of the ball? 

The receiving core has been better than expected. Dave Brock returned to coach this group and has a ton of experience. It shows as this was easily the position group with the most questions coming into the season. They didn’t have one proven FBS or power five receiver on the roster. In addition, Chris Long showed flashes last season as a freshman but has missed the last five games due to injury. Naseim Brantley, a FCS all-conference transfer was never ruled eligible by the NCAA. And yet, the receivers have been solid with four players giving this group balance.

Christian Dremel is a former walk-on who won most improved offensive player in the spring and now leads Rutgers with 21 receptions and three touchdowns. He’s been the most consistent receiver this season and plays in the slot. Former Division II All-American JaQuae Jackson is their biggest deep threat and leads the team with 283 receiving yards. Ian Strong is a big true freshman who has made some clutch catches this season. Isaiah Washington

Another threat in the passing game is running back Aaron Young. He missed a few games early on due to injury but caught a touchdown against Wisconsin. He is a player I wish they got more involved and has plenty of experience.

Q: Indiana is 2-19 in its last 21 Big Ten games, with the 19 losses coming by an average of 23.9 points. If Indiana stays in this game and it’s close late, what are the 2 or 3 reasons why?

Rutgers is not good enough to win a Big Ten game in which they make repeated mistakes. If Indiana keeps it close late, it’s likely in part due to a combination of turnovers, penalties, missed tackles, drops in the pass game leading to a general lack of execution. Rutgers isn’t a great team playing behind despite last week’s dramatic comeback against Michigan State. So Indiana will need to jump on them early and if they can, mistakes could follow.