Final NCAAF and B1G Rankings According to The Athletic-

[Knight Shift]

Comments/Notes:
Good year for RU. We ascended from basement when Greg took over to middle of the B1G pack.
RU beat a solid Northwestern team, ranked #31.
Beat two decent ACC teams in Miami #51 and Va Tech #57

As far as next years schedule s 2024/2025, not sure how great not playing Michigan(1), Penn State (13) and Ohio State (10) and Indiana (97), but now we have Washington (2), Oregon (7), UCLA (33), and USC (34) on the schedule. Seems like a wash, maybe a little easier than 2023.

(For this year's teams)
1. Michigan
10. Ohio State
13. Penn State
28. Iowa
31. Northwestern
48. Maryland
49. Rutgers
50. Wisconsin
72. Illinois
73. Minnesota
78. Nebraska
86. Michigan State
94. Purdue
97. Indiana

2024 Add Ons:
2. Washington
7. Oregon
33. UCLA
34. USC

Others-recent ACC Opponents:
51. Miami
57. Va Tech
58. Boston College
68. Syracuse

Link (probably paywalled):

The Athletic 133: Ranking all of FBS after 2023, from Michigan to Kent State

This is the most difficult end-of-season ranking I’ve ever faced because of the number of bowl opt-outs for NFL or transfer purposes.

theathletic.com

 

[LeapinLou]

Northwestern is way overrated. They did a great job beating Utah but geez, they aren't THAT good. I would swap Maryland and Northwestern. Maryland had some head-scratching losses, but they were very good.

As far as your scheduling comments, I agree that the dropoff from 2023 to 2024 is not as dramatic as initially thought. It's still very tough. But not quite as tough and we should be better.

 

[mildone]

I was kinda hoping that, if not in the top 25 (which we obviously would not have been), we could've settled at a ranking of 69 to go with my overall season theme. Ah well.

Since we're gonna win it all next year, no hope of hitting that magic number then.

 

[thegock]

We don't play Oregon in 2024, doe.

 

[Knight Shift]

Northwestern is way overrated. They did a great job beating Utah but geez, they aren't THAT good. I would swap Maryland and Northwestern. Maryland had some head-scratching losses, but they were very good.

As far as your scheduling comments, I agree that the dropoff from 2023 to 2024 is not as dramatic as initially thought. It's still very tough. But not quite as tough and we should be better.

NW- 5-4 in the B1G

We don't play Oregon in 2024, doe.

We do in 2025, OK? The point is all of the PAC additions to the B1G are not making sledding any easier next year or the year after.

 

[mdk01]

Maryland had some head-scratching losses, but they were very good.

In other words, a typical Maryland season.

 

[mosito]

Comments/Notes:
Good year for RU. We ascended from basement when Greg took over to middle of the B1G pack.
RU beat a solid Northwestern team, ranked #31.
Beat two decent ACC teams in Miami #51 and Va Tech #57

As far as next year's schedule, not sure how great not playing Michigan(1), Penn State (13) and Ohio State (10) and Indiana (97), but now we have Washington (2), Oregon (7), UCLA (33), and USC (34) on the schedule. Seems like a wash, maybe a little easier than 2023.

Not playing Oregon next year.
So we traded (1)Michigan, (13)PSU, (10)OSU, FOR (2)Washington, (33)UCLA and (34)USC.

Also traded for (32)Northwestern, (97)Indiana, and (28)Iowa FOR (73)Minnesota, (72)Illinois, and (78)Nebraska.

2023 : 1, 10, 13, 28, 32, 50(Wis), 86(MSU), 97
2024 : 2, 33, 34, 50, 72, 73, 78, 86
2025 : 2, 7, 10, 13, 28, 48, 72, 73, 94
2026 : 1, 13, 31, 34, 48, 50, 78, 86, 97
2027 : 1, 2, 10, 31, 33, 48, 78, 86, 97

On paper an easier schedule in 2024, but some teams are getting better.... but it seems we are too.... Hoping for 8-4, will be content with 7-5 and another bowl.

Also seems to be an easier schedule in 2026 based on todays rankings. I expect Nebraska and MSU to get better. 2025 seems like a harder schedule. 2027 seems like a wash compared to 2023

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

Best finish in a decade. I'm very happy with the trajectory. Want more next year - more new scalps.

 

[rubaseball78]

Not playing Oregon next year.
So we traded (1)Michigan, (13)PSU, (10)OSU, FOR (2)Washington, (33)UCLA and (34)USC.

Also traded for (32)Northwestern, (97)Indiana, and (28)Iowa FOR (73)Minnesota, (72)Illinois, and (78)Nebraska.

2023 : 1, 10, 13, 28, 32, 50(Wis), 86(MSU), 97
2024 : 2, 33, 34, 50, 72, 73, 78, 86
2025 : 2, 7, 10, 13, 28, 48, 72, 73, 94
2026 : 1, 13, 31, 34, 48, 50, 78, 86, 97
2027 : 1, 2, 10, 31, 33, 48, 78, 86, 97

On paper an easier schedule in 2024, but some teams are getting better.... but it seems we are too.... Hoping for 8-4, will be content with 7-5 and another bowl.

Also seems to be an easier schedule in 2026 based on todays rankings. I expect Nebraska and MSU to get better. 2025 seems like a harder schedule. 2027 seems like a wash compared to 2023

2023 average ranking is 40. Future years are 54, 44, 58 and 61. So on paper, except for 2025, easier schedule. The big however is teams will change year to year so predicting 26/27 based on 23 is a crap shoot.

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

Northwestern is way overrated. They did a great job beating Utah but geez, they aren't THAT good. I would swap Maryland and Northwestern. Maryland had some head-scratching losses, but they were very good.

no way we are only 1 spot worse than MD. Switching them is spot on.

 

[colbert17]

Thought it would be interesting to revisit this.

Official 2023 Rutgers Football Season Prediction Thread

Sept. 3 vs. Northwestern* Sept. 9 vs. Temple Sept. 16 vs. Virginia Tech Sept. 23 at Michigan* Sept. 30 vs. Wagner Oct. 7 at Wisconsin* Oct. 14 (Homecoming) vs. Michigan State* Oct. 21 at Indiana* Nov. 4 vs. Ohio State* Nov. 11 at Iowa* Nov. 18 at Penn State* Nov. 25 vs. Maryland*

rutgers.forums.rivals.com

 

[RUTGERS95]

Thought it would be interesting to revisit this.

Official 2023 Rutgers Football Season Prediction Thread

Sept. 3 vs. Northwestern* Sept. 9 vs. Temple Sept. 16 vs. Virginia Tech Sept. 23 at Michigan* Sept. 30 vs. Wagner Oct. 7 at Wisconsin* Oct. 14 (Homecoming) vs. Michigan State* Oct. 21 at Indiana* Nov. 4 vs. Ohio State* Nov. 11 at Iowa* Nov. 18 at Penn State* Nov. 25 vs. Maryland*

rutgers.forums.rivals.com

for like the 20th time:)

you pot stirrer you!!!!!!!!

 

[ru_upstate]

Not playing Oregon next year.
So we traded (1)Michigan, (13)PSU, (10)OSU, FOR (2)Washington, (33)UCLA and (34)USC.

Also traded for (32)Northwestern, (97)Indiana, and (28)Iowa FOR (73)Minnesota, (72)Illinois, and (78)Nebraska.

2023 : 1, 10, 13, 28, 32, 50(Wis), 86(MSU), 97
2024 : 2, 33, 34, 50, 72, 73, 78, 86
2025 : 2, 7, 10, 13, 28, 48, 72, 73, 94
2026 : 1, 13, 31, 34, 48, 50, 78, 86, 97
2027 : 1, 2, 10, 31, 33, 48, 78, 86, 97

On paper an easier schedule in 2024, but some teams are getting better.... but it seems we are too.... Hoping for 8-4, will be content with 7-5 and another bowl.

Also seems to be an easier schedule in 2026 based on todays rankings. I expect Nebraska and MSU to get better. 2025 seems like a harder schedule. 2027 seems like a wash compared to 2023

I've watched a lot of Virginia Tech this year (I have 2 kids in ACC schools). They will be really good next year. A very telling road game for us next year. Win that and I agree with 8-4. Lose that, and we could be battling for 6-6 again.

 

[RUTGERS95]

I've watched a lot of Virginia Tech this year (I have 2 kids in ACC schools). They will be really good next year. A very telling road game for us next year. Win that and I agree with 8-4. Lose that, and we could be battling for 6-6 again.

I agree with KK comment about getting out of this game. Right now we need wins and momentum more than any statement. I'm usually very critical of the win/loss record of Greg but right now, I'd punt here and play a uconn or usf type

 

[Knight Shift]

I've watched a lot of Virginia Tech this year (I have 2 kids in ACC schools). They will be really good next year. A very telling road game for us next year. Win that and I agree with 8-4. Lose that, and we could be battling for 6-6 again.

They found their QB, like BC did. Drones developed nicely as the year progressed.

Stats 166/285 (58.2%) 17 TD/3 INT 2084 yards passing over 11 games; 818 yards rushing over 11 games, averaging 4.9 yds/carry and 5 TD. Kind of odd that he was not the starter from game 1, but they found their QB.