Rutgers had a successful season, finishing with a winning record and beating Miami in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. This has created heightened anticipation for the Scarlet Knights as reflected in the release of the ESPN FPI this week. Rutgers is ranked No. 45 in the ESPN FPI, with a projected win total of 7.2 for the upcoming season.
Last season, Rutgers finished No. 50 in the nation in the ESPN FPI final rankings and No. 11 in the Big Ten rankings. Seven wins in the regular season would be the most for Rutgers since 2014, signaling progress for the team under head coach Greg Schiano. The projection for Rutgers reflects optimism in the team’s turnaround and the retention of their successful core from the previous season.
A potential seven-win season would be another step forward for the Scarlet Knights and help build momentum for the program. It could also have a positive impact on recruiting, demonstrating the sustainability of Schiano’s development program model. Among Big Ten teams, Rutgers is ranked among the top six programs in the ESPN FPI projections.
In contrast, Indiana has the lowest ranking among Big Ten programs in the ESPN FPI at No. 77. The positive projections for Rutgers bode well for the upcoming season and the future of the program.