Texas State's defense was bad in 2017.
How bad? Most of its national stat lines read like NBA scores. The Bobcats were ranked 126th in the country in pass defense and turnovers gained, 105th in scoring defense and 102nd in total defense.
But, amazingly, there was a silver lining. And it should still be in place this fall, which has to concern Rutgers as it prepares for Saturday's season opener.
Texas State was one of the nation's top run-stopping units last season, holding opponents to 141.9 yards per game on the ground, the 40th-best mark in the nation, and beating that average in seven of 12 contests despite a 2-10 record.