2008 OUTLOOK: Rutgers likely won't be the favorites in the Big East in 2008, but the Scarlet Knights will contend for the conference title and accompanying BCS berth if it can reach its potential. Mike Teel and the wide receiving corps match up with anyone in the conference, and if Kordell Young and Mason Robinson can fill the void left by Ray Rice's departure, Rutgers won't struggle to score. If the defense can do a better job getting off the field on third downs, the Scarlet Knights could be in the thick of things in November.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
The big holes to fill are in the backfield and on the offensive line. Ray Rice was one-of-a-kind for the Scarlet Knights at running back, and Jeremy Zuttah and Pedro Sosa will be missed when Rice's replacement looks for open holes. But Mike Teel is back under center, along with all of his wideouts. The combination of Teel, Kenny Britt, Tiquan Underwood and Tim Brown shouldn't have a problem putting points on the board.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Rutgers got pushed around by the more physical teams it faced in 2007, particularly in the front seven. Manny Abreu, Kevin Malast and Ryan D'Imperio lead a strong group of linebackers, and its secondary features All-America candidate Courtney Greene and the hard-hitting Joe Lefeged. It will need to get better at getting the key stops that seemed to elude the team throughout the 2007 campaign.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
WR Kenny Britt volunteered to join the punt-return team, and should have an immediate impact on a unit that struggled to get much of anything done in 2007. The biggest shoes to fill are those of kicker Jeremy Ito, but sophomore San San Te looked good in spring action. Ted Dellaganna ended April as the punter, where Ito's shoes are measurably smaller.

ROSTER REPORT

--Kordell Young sat out the spring as he recovers from knee surgery. The running back probably will begin the preseason as the starter as neither Mason Robinson nor Jourdan Brooks staked a strong claim to the position in April.

--DE George Johnson suffered what initially looked like a major knee injury at the end of camp. However, he won't need surgery, and is expected to be ready to begin the team's conditioning program in June.

--OT Anthony Davis sprained his ankle in April, and missed the spring game. However, the rising sophomore won't miss any more time, and was sidelined as a precaution.

--OG Kevin Haslam underwent ankle surgery in April. The starting left guard plans to be ready when preseason camp begins in August.

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