Rutgers is still a game we should win. Even on the road. They've looked bad this season, and in my view, are easily the second worst team in the conference behind Northwestern. All of their QBs are bad, and they shuffle them like a deck of cards during games, so they never threaten to have one get into any sort of rhythm, either. We simply MUST have that one if they are to salvage even a little confidence.
Then you've got PSU and OSU, where the goal mostly should be to keep guys healthy and don't get embarrassed, especially against Penn State at home, where I don't think a competitive game is or should be out of the question. After that, you have the two trophy games, and you really need to win at least one to salvage something of meaning from this year. Michigan State is the considerably worse team, but the Bucket Game is at home and has a tendency to get wild. Who knows what might happen. Either way, I think you have to go into the offseason 5-7 with a trophy to retain/rebuild any sort momentum.
But what is important to remember is that transfers in and out notwithstanding (and both are going to happen), Allen's best recruiting classes are going to be filtering into the rotations more in 2023 and 2024 than they are right now. He'll have more talent to work with in the future, but there still has to be a sign of life from this team going through these last five games both for trying to keep recruiting afloat and to limit fan apathy. 3-9 poses significant risks for decommitments and to Allen's recruiting momentum in general and would constitute a major problem, 4-8, unless the fourth win we pick up is somehow either Penn State or Ohio State, probably does the same.
But if they can find a way to get to five with a trophy in the cabinet, they'll at least have a tangible improvement from last to carry into the offseason for fan and current roster morale, and as something to reasonably point to on the recruiting trail for a positive outlook when combined with the increased talent that will be on the field.
Then you've got PSU and OSU, where the goal mostly should be to keep guys healthy and don't get embarrassed, especially against Penn State at home, where I don't think a competitive game is or should be out of the question. After that, you have the two trophy games, and you really need to win at least one to salvage something of meaning from this year. Michigan State is the considerably worse team, but the Bucket Game is at home and has a tendency to get wild. Who knows what might happen. Either way, I think you have to go into the offseason 5-7 with a trophy to retain/rebuild any sort momentum.
But what is important to remember is that transfers in and out notwithstanding (and both are going to happen), Allen's best recruiting classes are going to be filtering into the rotations more in 2023 and 2024 than they are right now. He'll have more talent to work with in the future, but there still has to be a sign of life from this team going through these last five games both for trying to keep recruiting afloat and to limit fan apathy. 3-9 poses significant risks for decommitments and to Allen's recruiting momentum in general and would constitute a major problem, 4-8, unless the fourth win we pick up is somehow either Penn State or Ohio State, probably does the same.
But if they can find a way to get to five with a trophy in the cabinet, they'll at least have a tangible improvement from last to carry into the offseason for fan and current roster morale, and as something to reasonably point to on the recruiting trail for a positive outlook when combined with the increased talent that will be on the field.
