Rutgers football allows opponents to convert 47.9 percent of their third downs, the worst rate in the entire Big Ten conference, according to Yahoo Sports. This number is not a small glitch; it is the main reason the defense cannot stop opposing teams. The Scarlet Knights face this crisis on Saturday, Nov. 7, when they travel to Madison, Wisconsin, to play the Badgers. Opponents have moved the ball so easily on early downs that they rarely face long third-down situations. This makes the critical play much easier for the offense to convert.
Coach Greg Schiano admitted the team struggles to force difficult situations early in the drive. He told reporters that his unit has not been effective on first and second down. This failure leads to short third-down distances that are hard to defend. Schiano noted that opponents have only faced 96 third downs against Rutgers, which is the second-lowest total in the conference. Fewer third downs mean the defense gets fewer chances to show its strength.
The situation has gotten worse in the last two games. Northwestern converted 9 of 13 third downs during their 42-14 win over Rutgers on Oct. 24. Michigan followed that up by converting 12 of 16 third downs in their 28-21 victory on Oct. 31. The conversion rate jumped from 37 percent to 72 percent in just two weeks. Schiano called the 72 percent rate unacceptable and stated it does not meet the team’s standard.
The Badgers Bring a Massive Front
Wisconsin presents a different kind of threat that will test Rutgers even further. The Badgers currently convert 41.7 percent of their third downs, which is a solid rate for any opponent. Their defense features an unusually large line with interior players weighing 330 and 325 pounds. Schiano warned that players like Charles Perkins and Hammond Russell IV are really good and will pose a real challenge. The Badgers also have a sound secondary that relies on great technique rather than trick plays.
To allow their offense additional scoring opportunities, Rutgers needs a method to exit the field. The Knights are allowing 418.0 total yards per game, which is the worst mark in the Big Ten. Defensive coordinator Travis Johansen called the game from the sideline for the Michigan game after doing so from the press box previously. Players like defensive lineman Sekou Kromah said having the coordinator on the sideline helped a lot. Kromah noted that seeing the DC out there helped them make checks whenever they needed.
Can the Knights Fix the Breakdowns?
The team is currently 2-6, and the defense is the biggest culprit in this disappointing record. Schiano stated the unit must improve and then aim to surpass their performance from the season’s start. The coaching staff does not have a strong preference on where Johansen calls the game from, but the players clearly prefer the sideline. Kromah stated he would appreciate having the coordinator on the field again and feels all the guys will too.
Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph leads his team in both passing and rushing with 1,346 yards and 371 yards respectively. He has thrown 11 touchdowns with no interceptions so far this season. Despite these stats, Joseph was benched against Iowa due to poor performance. The Badgers also have a reliable running game with Abu Sama III, Darrion Dupree, and Jackson Bryan II all averaging over four yards per carry. Rutgers needs to stop these runners to force the Badgers into passing situations.
