Rutgers started its 2006 season with victories over North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio and Howard and received its first ranking since the end of the 1976 season. On September 24, 2006, they were ranked #23 in the AP and USA Today’s Coaches Poll. After a 34-0 win against Navy on October 14, they moved to #19 and Rutgers received their first Bowl Championship Series ranking coming in at #16 the next day.