USA Today-RUTGERS

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INSIDE SLANT

This could be a breakthrough year for Rutgers, a program that's won a total of 10 games over the last three seasons.

With 15 starters returning form last year's disappointing 4-7 team, the Scarlet Knight's have all the tools necessary to craft their first winning season under fifth-year head coach Greg Schiano.

Senior quarterback Ryan Hart leads a high-octane offense. Last year Hart led the Big East with 286.7 passing yards per game and set single-season school records for attempts, completions, and passing yards. He'll get plenty of help from All-Big East fullback Brian Leonard, All-Big East tight end Clark Harris and All-Big East receiver Tres Moses.

The Scarlet Knights defense fell apart down the stretch last year, giving up an average of 38.4 points over Rutgers's last five games. With eight starters back, including All-Big East senior defensive end Ryan Neill, things should improve for a unit that ranked 104th in the nation last year in total defense.

Rutgers' season will be defined by a brutal four-week stretch that sees the Scarlet Knights take on Big East foes Pittsburgh (Sept. 30), West Virginia (Oct. 8), Syracuse (Oct. 15), and Connecticut (Oct. 22) on successive weekends.

Schiano has called this year's team the most talented he's had at Rutgers. The pieces seem to be in place. Maybe this is the year the Scarlet Knights finally finish above .500 and grab that long-awaited bowl bid.

NOTES, QUOTES

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAME: vs. Illinois, Sept. 3  The Scarlet Knights knocked off Michigan State, 19-14, last year. Opening the season with another Big Ten upset will give Rutgers momentum heading into a tough Big East schedule.

THE SCARLET KNIGHTS WILL GO 8-3 IF: Schiano, who appointed himself defensive coordinator in the offseason, can turnaround a unit that gave up 95 points in its last two games. Junior corners Joe Porter and Derrick Roberson need to improve after Rutgers ranked 97th in pass defense a year ago.

THE SCARLET KNIGHTS WILL GO 5-6 IF: Hart continues to throw more interceptions than touchdowns. Hart owns every major Rutgers single-season passing record, but his career touchdown-to-interception ratio is a dreadful 34-44. More accuracy means more victories.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Right now, we're establishing the work ethic, the system. Each year we have to get better and better players, until we reach a level where we're getting the best players in the country."  Head coach Greg Schiano on the challenges of building a consistent winner at Rutgers.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

HEAD COACH: Greg Schiano, 5th year at Rutgers, 12-34

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: WR Tres Moses  The senior is the key to the Scarlet Knights high-powered passing attack. Moses set school records last year for receptions (81) and yards (1,056). Hart's top target looks primed for another big year.

BREAKOUT STAR: WR Shawn Tucker  The junior was Rutgers leading receiver in 2003, but redshirted last year after suffering a season-ending groin injury. If Tucker plays at the level he did in 2003, Rutgers will have the conference's top receiving tandem.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: CB Davon Smart  A true freshman, this 5-foot-10-inch, 185-pound New Jersey native will push for playing time in the Scarlet Knights' young secondary.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: Offense  QB Ryan Hart, TB Clarence Pittman, FB Brian Leonard, WR Tres Moses, WR Shawn Tucker, TE Clark Harris, LT Jeremy Zuttah, LG Corey Hyman, C Darnell Stapleton, RG John Glass, RT Sameeh McDonald

Defense  DE Ryan Neill, DT Cameron Stephenson, DT Luis Rivas, DE Val Barnaby, LB Terry Bynes, LB Devraun Thompson, LB Will Gilkison, CB Joe Porter, CB Derrick Roberson, SS Ron Girault, FS Jason Nugent

ROSTER REPORT: Nate Nurse, an all-state offensive lineman from Teaneck, N.J., was a late addition to the Rutgers recruiting class after the freshman's scholarship to Wisconsin was pulled at the last minute. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Nurse was an All-North Jersey team selection at Don Bosco High and a third-team all-state selection.