Rutgers exited spring practice with optimism and a clear goal - six wins and a bowl trip - for the season ahead. ESPN's data-driven FPI rankings mesh with the sunny outlook, putting the Scarlet Knights near the top half of the 130-team Football Bowl Subdivision at No. 68.
Rutgers is going the other way, though, in USA TODAY's post-spring FBS rankings. The Scarlet Knights are, somewhat surprisingly, only ranked 93rd by national writer Paul Myerberg. The low spot comes with a bit of a hedge, though.
"I could be underrating Rutgers, which might not make a bowl game this year under Chris Ash," Myerberg writes, "but definitely has a postseason trip at some point in its future.