Week 5

Coach Chris Ash has been fired from Rutgers. Part of me feels bad and part of me is excited for a new era. After working with Coach Flood, I just don’t know if anyone could have succeeded in that role. Flood left a cloud over the program, having players arrested and contacting professors when he was not suppose to. Ash made some mistakes though, and dug his own grave. New Interim HC Nunzio Campanile’s brother, Anthony was once at Rutgers. He was my favorite coach to be around and was lucky to work under him as the Tight Ends Equipment Manager. Him, Defensive Line Coach Panagos and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Joe Giacobbe, should’ve been a priority to keep. Many coaches like to start fresh, but these three were the ones that got away. Coach Ash just never felt like he connected to New Jersey, and ultimately, that was too much to overcome.

Coach Ash is very smart. He knows his defense and is an elite defensive backs coach. I never felt the charisma though, being around him and listening to his press conferences. I want a head coach that I will run through a wall for, and felt Ash had the brains but not the vibes. I wish him, and his staff the best of luck, but I think it’s time to move on. AD Pat Hobbs believed in Ash, and I’m sure he would’ve supported whoever, but Rutgers now has a new locker room, practice field, and soon to be new athletic academic student center. Let’s just hope the new HC can get the players.

Saturday should be fun for the Goose. I will be at the Rutgers Maryland game for the first half, supporting the Nunzio era! Me and my college roommate will then leave at half and head right to the Yankee Twins ALDS game, which starts at 5:07! The last time I went to a Yankee playoff game was in 2009 when they played the Twins. Driving from Rahway we get near our turnpike exit and my friend goes “uhhhh who has the tickets.” We forgot the tickets (well it wasn’t my responsibility but oh well!)!! Having the best parents in the world, my mom and dad immediately drove to the Vince Lombardi rest stop and gave us the tickets. We got there at the start of the 4th inning, and watched the Yankees win 7-2! Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way because I will forever have a story to laugh about forgetting the tickets!

Recap:
Memphis -10.5 vs Navy – HIT! Memphis 35 Navy 23
Liberty -8.5 vs New Mexico – Miss. Liberty 17 New Mexico 10
Ohio State -17 at Nebraska – HIT! Ohio State 48 Nebraska 7
Eagles +4 at Packers – HIT! Eagles 34 Packers 27
Vikings +2.5 at Bears – Miss. Bears 16 Vikings 6
Jaguars +3 at Broncos – HIT! Jaguars 26 Broncos 24 #MinshewMania
NCAAF 8-7
NFL 11-1

In honor of hope for Rutgers Football, I will be doing a Big Ten Special! Three Big Ten games this week for my picks. I will not be picking Rutgers with the uncertainty, but I will say this. I don’t know Coach Campanile, but I do know he’s a great motivator. I also will say, if there could be 25k Rutgers fans there Saturday (Yes, I know they are struggling but the attendance is pathetic) then they can feed in to the crowds energy and get an upset win. Maryland is no powerhouse, but Rutgers would need to make it their Championship to pull off the upset. **Quarterback Art Sitkowski announced Thursday night he will sit on Saturday, and Redshirt this season**

Big Ten Special

Illinois +14 at Minnesota – There was a time where a young Goose really wanted PJ Fleck to be the next Rutgers coach. Coach Fleck has Minnesota off to a 4-0 start this season, but don’t call me a believer. It has been a very easy schedule and they have 4 wins by a combined 20 points. Two touchdowns to Illinois is just too much for me to pass up. Illinois can score and playing the Minnesota poor defense should help keep this close. I also love the thoughts of a late Illinois touchdown to secure the cover. Minnesota 38 Illinois 28

Nebraska -7.5 vs Northwestern – Is Nebraska the most disappointing team in September? Honestly, maybe yes! They didn’t beat up on South Alabama or Illinois, let Colorado come back on them, and were embarrassed against Ohio State. I didn’t buy in to the hype that this team was ever a threat to win the Big Ten this year, but they are better than this. We are still waiting for Martinez to work his magic with Coach Frost, and no better time than now with this upcoming four game stretch. This isn’t the same Northwestern we were used to over the last couple of seasons, and feel Nebraska should get the wheels rolling. Nebraska 31 Northwestern 20

Ohio State -20 vs Michigan State – Ohio State is real. We all saw that last week, and read about it here in the Korner. I am riding with them till the wheels fall off. Ohio State was notorious for their collapse games, but I think Ryan Day won’t allow that to happen. Fields will continue to push for Heisman just like Dwayne Haskins did, and expose Michigan State. They are 4-1 and currently ranked 25th, but I am far from impressed with them. Their defense will have a hard time keeping up with the Ohio State speedsters and won’t be able to match up athletically. We have a National Championship contender here in Columbus. Ohio State 38 Michigan State 14

Sunday Funday

Vikings -5.5 at Giants – Daniel Jones has looked great. He’s keeping plays alive, taking control, and has injected hope to the franchise. But after playing two bad defenses, this will be his first real show. I love the Vikings here, they just got embarrassed against the Bears, and are coming in with their tails on fire. Let’s not forget, this is the same Giants team that had the #2 pick in 2017 and #6 in 2018. They are improving, and have lots of hope behind Danny Dimes, but it smells “let down” to me. The Vikings will get back on track finally featuring Thielen and Diggs more, and that will only open things up for Dalvin Cook. This Giants defense is bad, but they are young and full of confidence. Confidence can only take you so far though. Vikings 27 Giants 20

Ravens -3.5 at Steelers – Betting on the road team in a fierce rivalry game? Yup! Mason Rudolph has covered his first two spreads as the new starter of the Steelers. He has looked impressive and poised. I just feel a lack of trust from the coaching staff though. At half time last Monday Night, he was 17-18 for only 132 yards. They aren’t stretching the field and might be protecting him too much. The Ravens are coming off back to back loses and it is time for them to rebound. They have given up 340+ passing yards the last three games, and to regain focus. And the Ravens offense should be fine exploiting Minkah Fitzpatrick again, as he looked JV trying to cover Andrews week 1 when he was a member of the Dolphins. Ravens 28 Steelers 23

Chargers -6.5 vs Broncos – Is this the week the Broncos give up? After a heart breaking loss to the Jags, the Broncos sit at 0-4 and lost Bradley Chubb. The Chargers will be getting a confidence boost, getting Melvin Gordon back. They will pair him up with Austin Ekeler, and go against a Broncos defense that just gave up 225 to Leonard Fournette. It is known there is no home field advantage for the Chargers, but I can see a beat down happening on Sunday. It might be Drew Lock time sooner than later if the Broncos lose this one! Chargers 24 Broncos 14

Thank you,
Goose