Rutgers Football Season Preview: The Prediction
- Rutgers has a clearer path to bowl eligibility without Ohio State or Oregon on the schedule, although Indiana, Michigan, Penn State and USC still form a difficult top tier of Big Ten games.
- The source projects eight wins by combining three favorable nonconference games with winnable conference matchups against Maryland, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Michigan State.
- New coordinator Travis Johansen inherits a defense that was historically poor over the past two seasons and must raise it to at least an adequate Big Ten level for the eight-win case to hold.
- New quarterback Dylan Lonergan is supported by high-end skill options Antwan Raymond and KJ Duff plus an offensive line expected to be the best of Greg Schiano's current tenure.
- Rutgers exited camp healthier than in recent years, but the roster still lacks enough depth at several positions to absorb major injuries without reducing its season ceiling.
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