Rutgers isn't getting enough respect against UNC Saturday in Chapel Hill.
I’m a bit surprised to see UNC installed as the favorites in this spot to be honest. Rutgers holds the advantage on the offensive side of the ball, and boasts a special teams unit that as good as if not better than the unit UNC will trot onto the field.
Rutgers returns 14 starters from last year’s team that won three of its five road contests, while their loss at Illinois in OT has to be considered a fluke. Their offense boasts terrific skill and will be a daunting task for the Tarheels defense to contend with.
UNC will also be breaking in a new philosophy on offense after bringing in Frank Cignetti from Fresno State in the offseason. The Scarlet Knights continue to get no respect even after putting forth the best season the University has seen in decades. Last we saw of HC Schiano’s club was in the Insight.com Bowl where they covered as 9-point underdogs to cash our college bowl Game of the Year.
They head into 2006 with even bigger expectations as the groundwork has been laid for many successful years to come. The Scarlet Knights have been a good proposition on the road vs. non Big East schools going a solid 10-4-1 ATS, while the Tarheels are a poor 5-12 ATS at home vs. non-conference opponents.
UNC did play one heck of a schedule and play a number of elite squads well at home, but I don’t like their QB situation and I think Rutgers will be extra motivated to pick up a road win here with their next three games at home.
Play: Rutgers +5