Zach Sinykin's Sports blog: Big Ten Football Preview: Rutgers

OFFENSE: Rutger's offense is led by senior Gary Nova and junior power back Paul James. Nova has a lot of experience is coach Kyle Flood's offensive system but has a tendency to miss is targets and throw interceptions. The Scarlet Knights lost both their starting wide receivers headlined by Brandon Coleman. His targets this year will be led by junior Leonte Caroo who has reportedly had a great summer and looks like a complete receiver. Replacing Coleman's production will be sophomore athlete Ruhann Peele who played both corner and wideout but is now strictly a receiver this year. Nova's most reliable target and star of the offense will be junior tight end Tyler Kroft. He led the team in receptions and yards last year and is a huge piece of the passing game in Piscataway.

In nine games, Paul James ran for 881 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. He will like to reach a thousand yards this year and get double digit touchdowns for the Scarlet Knights as he leads the offense. He will run behind senior fullback Michael Burton who not only led the way for James but caught two touchdown cathces last year. The Rutgers return all five starters along the offensive line. At left tackle, we find mammoth 6-8 Keith Lumpkin who, with a big season could head to the NFL a year early. Next to him was senior Kaleb Johnson who was predicted seventh rounder for this year's draft but decided to come back for his senior season. In the middle will be senior Betim Bujari who has a lot of experience and will bring leadership to the line. At right guard, Chris Muller will hope to build off a solid redshirt freshman season. And at right tackle will be senior Taj Alexander who will hope to improve in pass protection. At placekicker, Flood will return to junior Kyle Federico for another season.

DEFENSE: Joe Rossi will now be in his first season as the defensive coordinator and is known to have good game plans for certain opponents. Rutgers loses both of last years starting defensive ends in Marcus Thompson and Jamil Merrell, and this year they will go with senior David Milewski and junior Dwjany Mera, a returning starter from the line. Mera was the most consistent performer on the line last season and Milewski hopes to turn in his first healthy season as a starter. In the middle of Flood's 3-4 scheme is senior nose guard Kenneth Kirksey and junior Darius Hamilton. Kirksey missed ten games last year with an injury while Hamilton had a productive sophomore season, finishing with 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

Their are two returning starters in the linebacking corps with Steve Longa and Kevin Snyder. Replacing Jamal Merrell is Quentin Gause, who missed the spring with a shoulder injury but is ready to compete. Longa moves to outside this year to utilize his great speed and vision. Snyder is very experienced and makes great reads before the snap. At cornerback, Rutgers will go with Ian Thomas, who returns to the team after quitting last year and senior Gareef Glashen, who was a part-time starter and shows impressive tackling skills. Sophomore Delon Stephenson was trained as a corner but will be needed as a free safety with the loss of Jeremy Deering. Next to him will be returning starter and senior Lorenzo Waters who brings a lot of needed leadership to the young secondary. With the loss of last year's starting punter Nick Marsh, Joe Roth will step up after a consistent spring.

RECRUITING: Rutger's had an underwhelming 2014 recruitment failing to bring in big in-state prospects. Josh Hicks is the headliner as he comes in as the number eleven all purpose back and brings a lot of speed and power to the Rutgers backfield, which will be needed once Paul James graduates. Fellow Florida prospect and three star lineman Marcus Applefield will be very important for Rutgers future at offensive line. Finally, they scored the twentieth ranked player from New Jersey and three star linebacker Sidney Gopre who is a very talented and athletic linebacker who should contribute early on in his Rutgers career.

2015 Needs by Steve Wiltfong: The Scarlet Knights struggled in the secondary last season, and while they played a lot of young kids, defensive backs remain a need in 2015. Rutgers will also look to sign three to four offensive linemen after taking just one two years ago. The Scarlet Knights will also aim to score three receivers and two tight ends.

OVERVIEW: I think that Rutgers will struggle in 2014, especially with a step up in competition. With an inexperienced secondary and limited talent along the defensive line. It will be hard to stop the star running backs and athletic playmakers in the Big Ten. I expect them to have a losing season and miss out on a bowl game.

LB Kevin Snyder