Joe Gavazzi
200 Club Game of the Week
Buffalo (-5) at Rutgers Noon ET B10
Do we have our first “Towel Tosser” of the 2018 Season? If the lack of intensity by Rutgers the last two weeks is any indication, that certainly could be the case. After opening with a victory here against outmanned Texas State, Rutgers traveled to Columbus where they suffered their annual butt kicking at the hands of the Buckeyes, 52-3, a contest in which they were outgained 578-134. That was excusable! WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK WAS NOT! They traveled to play Kansas, who in the minds of all who follow CFB, has been the dregs of Power 5 schools for many recent seasons. Yet the Jayhawks were good enough to trounce Rutgers 55-14 outrushing the Knights 400-150 and forcing 6 Rutgers turnovers. That translates into a non-effort by Rutgers. Rutgers has been troubled by suspensions and injuries to their defense the entire season. With a mediocre ground game, it has been a recipe for disaster. As a result, they are in the best part of the “150 Club” PLAY AGAINST allowing 231/5.8 overland, a greater than 70% PLAY AGAINST indicator. Now they must face a Buffalo team who is on a roll behind Jumbo QB Jackson who enters with a recent 8-1 TRGS. In leading the Bulls to a hard-fought 35-28 victory, and cover, vs. E. Mich last week, Jackson unleashed scoring passes of 70 and 75 yards. You will remember the week before when Jackson led Buffalo to the upset of Temple, 36-29, with a 427-355 yardage edge. With the Buffalo indicators pointing upward, and in direct opposition to those pointing downward for Rutgers, this could well be a “200 Club” stomping by the visitor. The Bulls figure to profit overland against the 231/5.8 rush defense of their host while also succeeding behind the arm of Jackson, who has been leading the Bulls to an average of 267 PYPG. This is a “200 Club” bashing against a “150 Club” opponent, which extends the perfect record of “200 Club” selections on these pages.
