Ryan Dunleavy | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Before email, people awaiting correspondence used to eagerly anticipate the arrival of the day's mail.

Well, that's how some people salivate waiting for football season to begin.

Rutgers training camp is just around the corner -- Big Ten Media Days are first -- and the mail is here.

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Here is a preseason mailbag of answers to questions submitted by the fans, covering football, facilities and other fall sports. There's even some basketball mixed in for the rejuvenated fans of that program.

As always, if you have a question send it to me and I'll bookmark it for my next mailbag or answer immediately.

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Can Janarion Grant get into the Heisman conversation this year? — RU guy (@RU_2021) July 7, 2017

Janarion Grant for Heisman?

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Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

I hate to throw cold water on optimism before the season starts, but ... no.

The Heisman conversation? Think about this logically.

Since Ray Rice finished sixth in the Heisman vote in 2006, Rutgers hasn't had another player warrant Heisman consideration. Not Mike Teel. Mohamed Sanu. Not Leonte Carroo.

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Because of special teams, Grant is an electric player ... maybe more so than Sanu and Carroo. He is one away from setting the career NCAA record special teams returns touchdowns.

But how many career touchdown catches he has entering his redshirt senior season? One.

And how many Heisman winners have played for a losing team? One.

His name was Paul Hornung, and the award for college football's most versatile player is named after him. Grant is a candidate for that. And I could see him winning it. Be happy with that.

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Rutgers football's 5 seniors to watch in 2017

Graduate transfers are the key

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@rydunleavy 4 mailbag: How much value should be placed in a recruit's offer list? Should fans feel confident if it's just RU & FCS teams? — Jason Abrams (@jabrams5) July 11, 2017

Recruiting offer lists

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NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

I usually punt recruiting questions to colleague Todderick Hunt, but I feel passionate about this one: To me, an offer list is the most important indicator of a recruit's talent level -- more so than a "star" rating or which schools have shown "interest" or what his test scores and measurables were at a camp.

Rutgers fans love to point out under-recruited gems like the McCourty twins, Duron Harmon and Mohamed Sanu, but those examples are a decade-old.

It is much more difficult for a recruit to slip through the cracks these days, partially because the recruit won't allow it to happen when he can (rightfully so) boast about his offers on social media. There are schools that won't offer a borderline recruit until a rival program does ... and then a chain reaction follows.

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As for the second question, depends what you mean by "confident," though I guess in both instances I would say it depends on the variables in each individual situation.

Confident that he will commit to Rutgers over the FCS school? If playing in the Big Ten is more important than being a star of the team, yes. But maybe not if an Ivy League degree comes into play in a Rutgers vs. Princeton recruiting battle?

Confident that he will make an impact at Rutgers? If no other FBS schools are recruiting a prospect, I think it would be a longshot. Former Rutgers coach Kyle Flood took a few recruits with only Rutgers and FCS offers late in his tenure, and most already have transferred or stopped playing.

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Rutgers football's 5 juniors to watch in 2017

Is Giovanni Rescigno still the QB?

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Entering season 2, what areas does Ash feel are ahead of schedule (if any) & where is he behind? What is biggest challenge he didn't expect? — Joe Moran (@JoeSMoran) July 10, 2017

Year 2 of Ash

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Good question.

I sense Ash isn't feeding the company line when he says he is really confident in the off-field culture of discipline and hard work that he has built and the buy-in he is getting from most of his veterans. You should have noticed a decrease in the number of off-field incidents.

I also think he is happy with how he has been to upgrade the talent level quicker than expected by attracting FBS transfers. Transfers often are easier to recruit than high school players because it is less about the show you put on and more about the things Rutgers wants to sell like playing time and coaching.

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Any newcomer to New Jersey (as Ash was in December 2015) is going to be surprised to see that Rutgers does not get as much support from its home base as most major state universities, especially those established in the Big Ten. What's worse is that sometimes (though less frequently in the last 18 months) Rutgers can be its own worst enemy.

Whether that shows up in season ticket sales, attendance for promotional events, or recruiting, he is waging the same reality vs. perception battle as many of his predecessors. He won a lot of New Jersey recruiting battles in 2016 to set a high bar.

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Todd Frazier talks Rutgers

Getting back to his roots.

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Recruits visiting for a BBQ Saturday

Who's coming?

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What conditioning results have been obtained 1 yr w K Parker? Does RU track results differently from other schools? How 2 avoid injury bug — Kevin McGill (@bucs8) July 11, 2017

Conditioning results

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Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

If you read the social media accounts of players, it sounds like Ash and strength and conditioning coach Kenny Parker put the team through tri-athalon training. In reality, it was two 300-yard shuttle runs.

Still grueling, but I don't think Rutgers is doing anything differently than other schools since a lot of the plan was copied from Ohio State, but it's different (than and upgraded over) what used to be done at Rutgers. Take grocery store tours and cooking classes, for example.

Director of performance nutrition Allison Kreimeier is the one tracking all things from urination frequency to calorie counts.

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Given all of that, it was a surprise to see just how injury-ravaged Rutgers was last season.

I think it was a product of fatigue, with players having pushed their bodies more in the 2016 offseason than ever before. I expect a two-way adjustment in terms of players getting used to the new standard and Ash taking his foot ever-so-slightly off the pedal in training camp now that his expectations are established in Year 2.

But rate of injury is always worth monitoring.

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11 things to know about Todd Frazier's Rutgers career

Newest Yankee was a record-setter at Rutgers

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Can Todd Frazier handle presure of Yankees, NJ homecoming?

Rutgers baseball coach Joe Litterio: 'He'll have big moments in pinstripes'

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I guess it's an obvious question but does Jonathan Lewis have a legitimate chance to start game one? — Sean Bretherick (@SeanTheShow) July 10, 2017

QB Johnathan Lewis

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Chris Faytok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A chance? Yes. Tell Jim Carey that I'm saying there's a chance. I'd say around a 10 percent chance.

Let's pretend that you asked, 'Is there a legitimate chance that he plays in the first game of the season?' I would raise the percentages, but still not to 50 percent -- especially after offensive coordinator Jerry Kill told me that he wants to pick a quarterback and stick with him except for the occasional trick play or wildcat formation.

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I would've put the odds of Lewis redshirting as a true freshman at 0 percent before the arrival of Louisville graduate transfer Kyle Bolin.

Now, I think a veteran -- either Bolin or Giovanni Rescigno -- will start the season-opener, Lewis will get a taste of college football as the season progresses, and the starter by midseason and late season depends largely on the team's record.

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12 under-the-radar players who could swing Rutgers football

No QBs or returning starters allowed

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Tim Wright: 'Back to 100 percent'

Rutgers free agent tight end looking for new team: Jets?

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1/ What position switches could we see in early days of camp? 2/ where is depth legitimately a concern? — Rajiv Patel (@RajivPatelIS) July 9, 2017

Position changes

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Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

It was a light spring camp for position changes, so there's two ways to look at it: More are coming in training camp or the coaching staff feels most players are in the correct spot.

I think it's the latter, though it would be naive to think none are coming based on history of past training camps.

Tight end Myles Nash left the door open on a return to defensive end, which would make sense if Jerome Washington is healthy in front of Nakia Griffin-Stewart and Travis Vokolek is going to play as a true freshman.

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But I don't foresee anything as impact as Kamaal Seymour's move from defensive line to starting right tackle last season. Offensive linemen don't typically move to defensive line, and Rutgers can't afford to move any more defensive linemen right now.

The arrival of the freshmen have cured some depth concerns, but only in terms of sheer bodies. Not experience. Linebacker, defensive tackle, cornerback and wide receiver stand out as areas of concern if there is a major injury.

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What happened when Carlton Agudosi met Larry Fitzgerald?

How Rutgers product is sponging off top NFL WRs

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Big Ten over/unders

The line and a pick for each team

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I'm coming from out of town, what is the best game for me to attend this season? — Allison (@Allie_e_) July 9, 2017

Best game to attend

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Mills, Andy

First, you have to decide what it is you are hoping to see.

A win? Then go Sept. 17 against Morgan State.

A Big Ten win? Oct. 21 against Purdue.

An upset win? Nov. 4 against Maryland.

An incredible display of talent? Sept. 1 against Washington or Sept. 30 against Ohio State.

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If you are willing to trek the extra distance to Yankee Stadium and have never seen a football game in that setting, it's a cool bucket-list item, though not a great atmosphere for tailgating or in-game buzz. Some Rutgers fans surely will boycott the game, however.

To narrow down the field, you can't go wrong with Homecoming, so I'll say Oct. 21 against Purdue, which could be a swing game if Rutgers takes care of business in September.

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31 best NCAA Division I teams in NJ in 2016-17

From 8 different colleges

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Seton Hall's Pat Lyons: Big East not 2nd to anybody

Rise of a basketball league

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Special teams

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Teams typically don't do much special teams work -- especially the coverage aspect of it -- during the offseason or spring practice because the schematics vary from opponent-to-opponent and there is no reason for extra tackling and injury risk.

That said, Rutgers spent more time on special teams in the spring than Ash has done elsewhere in the past because it needed major addressing.

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You are correct that poor field position -- and far too many short-lived offensive possessions exacerbated by the no-huddle -- skewed the defense's performance in 2016.

But Rutgers is confident that personnel upgrades -- whoever wins a four-way battle at kicker, graduate transfer punter Ryan Anderson and true freshmen with the speed to get down field and cover kicks -- will fix the problem.

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Big Ten recruiting rankings: Where does Rutgers stand?

Ohio State ahead of the pack

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A look at the ex-Rutgers baseball players in the pros

Who's in the minor-leagues?

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I don't recall hearing much about helmet stripes in the spring. Any removed? Who do you think will get their stripes removed early in camp? — Anthony Durante (@agdurante) July 7, 2017

Helmet stripes

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Let me be frank: While maybe fun for fans, helmet stripes proved to be relatively insignificant last year.

Case in point: Giovanni Rescigno was a starting Big Ten quarterback but had still had a stripe on his helmet, meaning he wasn't "game-ready" by that measure.

You won't hear much about it unless it becomes a more accurate assessment of who is game-ready and who is not. I think some of the buzz even wore off within the team during spring camp.

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The Champions Club is a different story. That is a very good indication of who is having a good offseason, though Rutgers didn't share the names of inductees last season. We'll see if that changes.

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Rutgers schedule: Ranking games in order of difficulty

Which games are winnable? Must-wins?

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Reviewing Rutgers swing games of the past 10 years

Which game will swing 2017?

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Facilities update

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Keith Sargeant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

There's no better indication of how far Rutgers has come (yes, there is still an infinitely long way to go) in two years than this question.

In two years, Rutgers has crossed enough off the list -- a completed softball/baseball indoor facility, a soon-to-be-complete practice football complex, two new weight rooms and a groundbreaking on a multi-sport arena -- that a soccer/lacrosse complex is suddenly a realistic pressing issue.

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It's realistic to expect an announcement sometime this fall on a groundbreaking date for the complex, a source told NJ Advance Media.

Athletics director Pat Hobbs and the athletics fundraising staff have connected with groups of fresh donors who are passionate about those sports specifically. That's key.

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What's next in resolving Rutgers' NCAA allegations?

An update out of NCAA hearing

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Why don't top NJ athletes go to Rutgers? Chris Christie's answer

Governor's thoughts on new regime at Rutgers

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Fan Poll: based on little information who do we think starting QB will be on opening day? 🏈⚔️ Also. What's the best grease truck sandwich?🌯 — Kevin Fine (@kfine39) July 6, 2017

Pick a QB ... and a sandwich

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RU Qb Kyle Bolin working 7step frontside to post snap backside 18yd comeback against Middle Closed Coverage with access by DB. NFL Concept. pic.twitter.com/6pwLmyZEDl — Tony Racioppi (@Tonyrazz03) July 18, 2017

I'm not sure if that's a poll question for other fans or for me.

If it's for me, I'm leaning towards Kyle Bolin right now based one early feedback, but here's one thing I've learned at Rutgers over the years, especially when it comes to quarterbacks: Who looks the best throwing in summer 7-on-7 workouts or even in practices might not be the right choice to handle the adversity on gameday.

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While I've never watched Bolin in person, I know with certainty that Rescigno has the moxie, smarts and intra-team respect to be the starter. We won't know if his skills match up to Bolin's until training camp.

As for the Grease Trucks, I've always been a Fat Beach guy. I feel like you get the biggest sampling of ingredients (cheesesteak, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks AND french fries) for your money.

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Where do Rutgers football players come from?

A state-by-state look

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Which NJ high schools produce the most Rutgers athletes?

The answer might surprise you

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Only time a long snapper is noticed is when they mess up.Lucy has been atrocious for 3 years,waste of a 'ship,will he be replaced this year? — Zach Lerner (@zlerner1991) July 6, 2017

Long snapper

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Amanda Marzullo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Lucy had a nightmare season as a true freshman in 2014 that was masked by holder Mike Bimonte. Since then, he's been inconsistent but not even close to the top of the list for the team's biggest problems.

Ash wants a team that thrives on competition and won't hesitate to bench a senior if he thinks he has a better option elsewhere as seen with right tackle J.J. Denman in 2016.

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Rutgers added a couple of preferred walk-on long snappers in the offseason -- Matthew Sportelli was Lucy's only competition last season -- and freshman linebacker Syhiem Simmons also has experience at the art.

If Simmons is playing as a linebacker rather than redshirting -- and that's the expectation -- don't be surprised if he gets an opportunity.

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Greatest Rutgers player from each of NJ's 21 counties

A century of options

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All-time Rutgers football non-New Jersey team

NY, PA, DE, MD, FL, NC, CA all represented

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How will Rutgers secondary compare against the rest of the B1G? Should be one of the strengths of the team this yr. — Ryan Hunter (@RJHunter02) July 9, 2017

Secondary to none

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Big Ten was a defensive back's league over the last two seasons, but a lot of that talent is now in the NFL.

Wisconsin and Indiana return experienced standouts in the secondary. Ohio State just reloads with future first-round NFL Draft picks in its secondary year after year. Michigan is expected to do the same, but is more of a question.

Rutgers, which was a nightmare in pass defense from 2013-15, finished Top 20 nationally last year in passing yards allowed.

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Skeptics will say that rating is inflated because the rushing defense was poor, so opponents had no reason to pass. But, with 64 combined starts between Kiy Hester, Saquan Hampton, Blessuan Austin and Isaiah Wharton, Rutgers has experience. And there has in NFL buzz about at least Austin and Hampton.

If healthy, I'd rank Rutgers' secondary just about No. 5 in the Big Ten at the start of the season.

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Steve Pikiell has moved Rutgers closer to a March that matters

Why Pikiell's first year was a success

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Corey Sanders or Janarion Grant?

Whose return to Rutgers was more significant?

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As training camp near, I wonder… what is the basketball team’s biggest area of improvement this season? #couldntresist — Dave White (@Dave_White) July 9, 2017

Basketball season

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Too early to tell considering the team hasn't begun official practices yet, but it has to be on the offensive end, right? So take your pick between outside shooting, free-throw shooting and pace of play.

I hesitate to say the outside shooting -- the area where canyon of room for improvement exists -- will be a big upgrade when streaky shooter Nigel Johnson is gone and Geo Baker is untested.

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While I'd be willing to bet summer conditioning workouts include a heavy dose of running followed by shooting free throws with fatigued legs, I'll pick pace of play because it's Year 2 in coach Steve Pikiell's system and the overall athleticism of the team should be improved.

Watching Rutgers work its tail off on defense and then slog through an offensive possession was painful last year. More fastbreaks in 2017-18.

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Will Rutgers basketball finish last in the big ten this year? If not, what will make them better this season? — Marc Gump (@GumpHutch) July 19, 2017

More basketball

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No, especially if Rutgers has home-and-home games with fellow basement threats Nebraska, Ohio State and Illinois (as well as Michigan State and Purdue), as reported by FanRanSports.com. That could be 3-4 Big Ten wins before even examining the rest of the schedule.

I think Rutgers can -- and should -- contend for a NIT berth this winter, which certainly would mean not finishing last. I think there should be more urgency than you expect in Year 2 of a rebuild because it's the final go for Mike Williams and Deshawn Freeman, and likely the last for Corey Sanders.

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NJ's 50 greatest baseball players of all-time

Which Rutgers stars made the list?

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Which NJ high school has produced most college football recruits since 2007?

Publics vs. non-publics

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Field hockey

RUFH took tremendous strides last year. Despite another tough OOC slate, will Coach Civico finally get that elusive 10th win? — AP (@aaronkpatel) July 6, 2017

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Keith Sargeant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Trying to test my field hockey knowledge, huh?

Alright, well the team graduated six starters but has a strong young returning nucleus -- leading scorer Nikki Santore, Linde van Schaik and Katie Larmour lead the way-- and an impact incoming class made up of not just freshmen.

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UNC immediately eligible transfer Austyn Cueno, who is coming off a medical redshirt, set all kinds of scoring records at New Jersey powerhouse Eastern Regional High School, where she was named National High School Player of the Year in 2014.

I'll take the over on nine wins.

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How will Rutgers replace all-time greats like Tiernan and Smith and reach a 3rd straight B1G title game, but finally win this time? — AP (@aaronkpatel) July 6, 2017

Women's soccer

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If Rutgers is going to make a third straight Big Ten title game, it is going to be on the back of Casey Murphy, who returns to the team after one year away to play with a national team. She was named the top collegiate goalkeeper by Top Drawer Soccer heading into the season.

It's the time to shine for three 2016 Big Ten All-Freshman selections: Nicole Whitley (Freshman of the Year), Amanda Visco and Taylor Aylmer. Senior Colby Ciarrocca is the team's leading returning scorer.

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Rutgers has to break through and win a title soon. The program is just too good not to.

Counting the American Athletic Conference, Rutgers is 0-3 in conference tournament finals since 2013.

Will it be this year? I say yes.

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Ryan Dunleavy can be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy.com.