With the new revelation that Greg Schiano may play as many as three QB’s during the season opener against Cincinnati, one has to wonder exactly what is going on. Although not statistically, Dom Natale has clearly separated himself from the pack with his grasp of the offense and DC Jefferson has surprised some in piloting the offense to its only sustained drive and score during Tuesday’s scrimmage….But lining up Lovelace at wideout? Is this the work of a madman or genius at work by giving a Bearcat defense (one that replaces ten of its eleven starters) more looks then a Victoria’s Secret fashion show.

Following a seven game winning streak to close the 2008 season, a stellar recruiting class and a newly expanded stadium capable of holding 52,474 screaming fans, hopes are high entering the 2009 season. However, there are more then few questions to address between now and the September 7th opener against Cincinnati. Here are a few:

5. Which member of the most heralded recruiting class in Rutgers history will be the first to be an impact starter?

Mohamed Sanu showed promise and versatility in the spring game as a wide receiver. Darrell Givens has the chance to challenge immediately at the corner back position. Lock down defenders Logan Ryan and Abdul Smith should also receive plenty of reps during camp. At tight end, both Paul Carrezola and Malcolm Bush have a shot to challenge hybrid WR/TE Shamar Graves for playing time. And then there's that Savage guy...

4. How quickly will the quarterback situation be sorted out?

After three seasons as a starter and team leader, Mike Teel has departed for the NFL. Coach Schiano said on Monday that he needs a QB capable of "managing" the offense likely in much the same way that Teel did during his sophomore campaign in 2006. While 5th year seniors Dom Natale and Jabu Lovelace have both the maturity to lead this team, they combined for a mere 11 pass attempts in 2008. The three other quarterbacks on the roster have a total of zero minutes of experience playing at the college level.

3. Does this offensive line have the potential to be the best ever at Rutgers?

There have been plenty comparisons already between this squad (Ranked # 8 in Phil Steele's College Football Preview) and the squad which allowed only 8 sacs during the 2006 season. Ryan Blaszczyk is the anchor at center. Anthony Davis is the star and Art Forst, the "human eclipse" is the star in waiting. Only time will tell and barring injury, the 2009 0-line should pave the way for the running game and produce similar results to the '06 edition.

2. Just how good is this defense?

Like the O-line, there have been many comparisons made to the 11 win team from three years ago. However, there is one key difference between this squad and the 2006 edition. This team has more talent and more depth at just about every position which will keep players fresh and rested through the long grind of the Big East season.

1. How will this team manage expectations?

Several media publications (excluding our own Big East Media who picked us to finish 5th) have picked Rutgers to win the conference and represent the Big East in a BCS Bowl Game. Perhaps the biggest challenge for coaches of top flight programs is managing the lofty expectations thrust upon the program each year by the media. Greg Schiano flipped a 1-5 start into seven consecutive wins following and finished the season by winning to papajohns.com bowl in come back fashion against NC State.

In a move that has been widely anticipated for the past week, Darrell Givens officially became a Scarlet Knight this afternoon as announced by the Rutgers Athletic Department and is immediately eligible to participate in practices when the team opens camp on Tuesday. The team also announced several other surprising personnel changes this afternoon:

• OL Keith Newell has transferred to FCS Delaware State
• DB Davon Smart has transferred to FCS Norfolk State
• DE Gary Watts has given up football due to a reaggrevated knee injury

Promising red shirt freshman Marquis Hamm has given up football all together to pursue his degree. Coach Greg Schiano also announced that true freshman Paul Carrezola (TE) and Mohamad Sanu (WR) will be limited at the start of camp due to separate hamstring and mild head injuries suffered during summer workouts. Kordell Young who it was announced had reaggrevated a knee surgery from 2008, will be limited as well and is hoped to return to full contact for the second scheduled scrimmage.

And the State of Rutgers continues to expand as Chas Dodd (QB) of Byrnes High School (Duncan, SC) adds his pledge to the Rutgers Recruiting Class of 2010. The 6'1" gun-slinger from one of the top HS programs in the country confirmed his commitment on Monday according to Keith Sargent of the Courier News. As a second team All-State selection this past season, Dodd passed for nearly 2,400 yards and 18 touchdowns in a spread offense scheme that passed nearly 70% of the time during the season. Both Dodd and Marcus Lattimore the # 1 ranked RB in the nation for the Class of 2010 according to scout.com made an unofficial visit to the Banks this past weekend.

According to nj.com as well as ESPN, Rutgers is slated to play the Army Black Knights at Yankee Stadium in 2011. A press conference has been scheduled for Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. The Rutgers-Army series began in 1891 when the Scarlet Knights defeated the Black Knights at West Point 27-6. Based on the current order of home games in series, it appears the 2011 game will count as a home game for Army.