Rutgers Football: Greg Schiano attempting unthinkable turnaround

How will Rutgers football fare in 2020?

While Greg Schiano’s return has Rutgers fans excited for the first time in several years about the future of their football program, it’s going to take more than a year to turn things around.

Can Rutgers at least improve their win total from the 2-10 record they posted a year ago and pick up their first conference win since 2017? Here’s a look at how their season may play out.

• Game 1: vs. Monmouth (W) — An FCS opponent to kick off the season will be a welcome sight for Rutgers and should give them a 1-0 start.
• Game 2: vs. Syracuse (L) — Syracuse took a step back in 2019 as they missed out on a bowl despite winning 10. games in 2018. It’s unknown which version of the Orange will see in 2020, but they will likely still beat Rutgers.
• Game 3: at Temple (L) — Temple is never a fun opponent to play and simply have more talent than Rutgers despite not being a Power Five program.
• Game 4: at Ohio State (L) — Not much analysis needed here, Ohio State will rollover their former defensive coordinator in Schiano.
• Game 5: vs. Illinois (L) — Illinois reached a bowl game in 2019 but still have plenty of work to do in order to earn respect. This game may be close with Rutgers at home, but the pick still has to be Illinois.
• Game 6: at Purdue (L) — Purdue may be one of the more underrated teams in the Big Ten with an elite group of wide receivers and pass rushers. At home, they should handle business against Rutgers.
• Game 7: vs. Indiana (L) — Indiana won nine games in 2019 and bring much of their roster in 2020. This is another game Rutgers can hang around in but likely will be unable to finish.
• Game 8: Nebraska (L) — Nebraska is desperate to end their three-year bowl drought and a loss to Rutgers likely would mean the end for Scott Frost as Huskers head coach. Rutgers again may keep it close but likely won’t finish.
• Game 9: at Maryland (L) – Maryland showed flashes, especially early on last season of how good they can be. There’s still plenty of work to be done in College Park, but the Terps have more than enough to handle Rutgers at home.
• Game 10: vs. Michigan (L) — Michigan is just on a different level than Rutgers right now. Even at home, the Scarlet Knights have no shot.
• Game 11: at Michigan State (L) – Michigan State will be an interesting team to watch as Mel Tucker takes over as head coach. One thing is for sure about the 2020 Spartans: they have more than enough to beat Rutgers.
• Game 12: vs. Penn State (L) — Behind Ohio State, Penn State will be Rutgers’ toughest game of the season. Even with the game in New Jersey, it shouldn’t be a close contest.

Prediction: 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten)

It’s hard to imagine much success for the Scarlet Knights in 2020 with a schedule full of daunting tasks.

Outside of in-state, FCS foe Monmouth, Rutgers will likely be underdogs every time they take the field. Syracuse and Temple have the potential to be winnable, but the Scarlet Knights still have work to do be considered favorites.

As for Big Ten play, Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan can be chalked up as automatic losses for the foreseeable future.

Rutgers will likely be able to be at least competitive against teams such as Maryland, Indiana, Illinois and Nebraska, but it’s still hard to imagine them coming out on top in these games right now.

Thus, there’s a possibility the Rutgers lone win in 2020 comes on opening day against Monmouth. While this would lead to a lot of questions about Schiano and if he can truly repeat his prior magic at Rutgers, there should still be confident as the Scarlet Knights rebuild is still young and the talent being recruited for the future is getting better and better.