Big Ten Football: Predicting The East Division

7. Rutgers

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

I’ve always enjoyed the Scarlet Knights as a program and I really don’t know why. Maybe it’s the history, maybe it’s the awesome mascot. These days, the slick helmets add to the cause and I’m a huge fan of Eric LeGrand. Unfortunately, as much as I dig the Knights, the Big Ten scheduling gods clearly do not.

They host Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana which is great if you’re a season ticket holder and want to see new opposition. The Indiana game is a possible win, but Kevin Wilson’s Hoosiers have shown improvement every year he’s been in Bloomington.

Rutgers visits Ohio State and Nebraska back-to-back before heading to East Lansing to meet up with Sparty. The Scarlet Knights then say hello to former ACC member Maryland the following week. Thank you sir, may I have another?

16 starters return and Rutgers will still likely get driven into the dirt all year long. Head coach Kyle Flood is in a similar situation to Wilson upon his arrival at Indiana. The program will get acclimated to the conference and it will hurt.

Fortunately, it wouldn’t surprise me if good things lie ahead. Just not this year.

Final Record: 3-9 (0-8)