Considering the consensus opinion published in national college football magazines, it was no surprise to see Rutgers in the basement of the Big Ten East Division on Friday when Cleveland.com released its preseason poll of 38 writers covering the conference.
But there were two Rutgers-related surprises.
First, the one that will anger fans in Piscataway.
All 38 voters picked Rutgers -- which is 4-21 in Big Ten games over its first three seasons as a member -- to finish last. There was not one exception, meaning there quite a gap between Rutgers -- on a 14-game Big Ten losing streak -- and all its division rivals.