Don't expect this to be an every Saturday sight in NYC....

The State University of New Jersey.  That's what Rutgers is, and what Rutgers always will be.  Despite it's close proximity to New York City, the Scarlet Knights will always resonate with citizens of New Jersey more so than it will with Manhattenites across the river.  Just like professional soccer will never take off in the United States, college football will never take off in New York City.  New York will always be a pro sports town, no matter how you slice it.  And that brings me to my issue that I brought to the attention of ESPN's Big East Blogger, Brian Bennett in his mailbag:

Bobby from Princeton, N.J., writes: I take issue with your comment suggesting that Rutgers is "the one that fancies itself as New York City's team". Rutgers stands more than 30+ miles from NYC, and to me has fashioned themselves as the State University of New Jersey. It's not our fault that everytime RU plays on ESPN they love to show the empire state building and mention how RU plays in New York City's backyard. If fans in NYC want to adopt RU as their rooting interest that's fine with me, but I don't see any concious effort on RU's part as portraying themself as New York City's team.

Brian Bennett: Really, Bobby? Rutgers has done all kinds of things to try to capture the New York City market, which is smart on its part. How about playing in Yankee Stadium and the new Giants Stadium, just to name one? Every time Scarlet Knights officials talk about big picture issues, they always seem to include their proximity to New York City.

Just another excuse to watch the best 2 games in Rutgers History....

Now I agree with Brian that Rutgers is smart in taking advantage of the financial opportunities presented to it.  And usually I agree with a majority of the stuff that Brian writes, he is a terrific blogger, and does a great job covering the Big East for ESPN.  But just because Rutgers is going to play games at Yankee Stadium and the new Giants Stadium (which I might add, is in New Jersey last time I checked), it does not mean that they "fancy [themselves] as New York City's team".  College football is a business and Rutgers will make a heck of a lot more money playing Army at the Meadowlands than it would playing them at home.  And a game at Yankee Stadium is just that, a game at Yankee Stadium.  Alabama has played 2 straight games at the Georgia Dome to open the season (in the Kickoff Classic), but that doesn't mean that they're trying to invade Atlanta, or consider themselves to be Atlanta's team.  'Bama was offered a financial incentive, and extra publicity and jumped at the chance.  That's the way that I see these games for Rutgers.  The money was on the table, and the opportunity was there for more exposure, so they leaped at it.

Rutgers has long been known as those "loveable losers" from New Jersey.  Though losers no more, Rutgers still appeals to me as a blue-collar school, far-off from the culture and bright lights of New York City.  I bet if you went around the country and asked people who the major college football team for the NYC area was, they would be baffled.  Go around and ask people who the major college football team in New Jersey is, and you'd get an overwhelming majority who answer with Rutgers.  Rutgers has a BCS tie-in, and has high-profile games coming up in the future (UCLA, Miami, Penn State), so it's not like NYC offers some kind of media frenzy that they don't currently have.  Recruiting-wise NYC does not offer as much talent as New Jersey does year-in and year-out, so the advantage does not lie there either.  I just do not see how Rutgers has marketed themselves as a New York City extension other than taking the opportunities that were offered to it.   

My problem with Brian's statement might be more directed at Rutgers and their public relations department.  I don't see how/why Rutgers would want themselves to be adopted as New York City's team.  Rutgers already is playing on ESPN for more than half of its games, and is televised locally on SNY for most others.  If people in New York are interested in the Scarlet Knights, they'll watch the games.  If not, they won't watch.  It's as simple as that.  A large portion of people living in New York City have transplanted for work purposes, and have attended college elsewhere around the nation.  They're not going to openly fawn over a Rutgers team because they're "New York's Team".    Like my soccer analogy earlier, I just don't think that Rutgers will ever be New York's team.  When the World Cup comes around, everyone gets excited for a few weeks and realizes how great soccer is, but after that last whistle sounds, soccer is all but forgotten.  With professional football, basketball, hockey, and baseball all crammed into a tiny area, how much room is there really for Rutgers?  Sure, when they have the season like the did in 2006 it will start to get people excited, but ask your casual sports fan in New York City right now what Rutgers record is, and you'll see how much they care.

With all due respect to Mr. Bennett, Rutgers has a good thing going in New Jersey and should focus on keeping it that way.  Drive down the turnpike and see how many block R's you see in bumper to bumper traffic.  Rutgers and New Jersey go together, both under-appreciated, but both just "keep chopping". 

Do you think that Rutgers could ever be a "big thing" in New York City?  Should Rutgers market itself more within NYC?  What are some of the advantages you think Rutgers could attain?  We want to hear your feedback, leave your ideas in the comments section.