The Big Ten is one of the few major college football conferences that does not have a formal preseason media poll. Seeing an opportunity, the staff at Cleveland.com released an unofficial media poll that ranks all of the Big Ten teams and predicts where they will finish in the conference standings.
They have Rutgers slated to finish at No. 13 in the conference, tied with Michigan State. The Scarlet Knights were predicted to finish No.9 overall in Cleveland.com’s 2024 preseason poll, and that is exactly
where they finished last season.
The most likely reason for this fall in the preseason rankings is the fact that Rutgers lost a few key pieces in the offseason and that they have to play a much harder schedule this season. Unlike last year, Rutgers has to play three teams in Penn State, Ohio State, and Oregon, who all made the college football playoff last season.
Rutgers also lost a lot of talented players this offseason in the transfer portal and to the NFL draft. Losing players like running back Kyle Monanagi, Offensive tackle Hollin Pierce, and Linebacker Mohamed Toure is going to bring up the question as to whether or not the Knights can replace their production. That question alone likely dinged the Knights' preseason rankings.
Rutgers did, however, grab several players in the transfer portal who are expected to make a splash this season. Running back CJ Campbell, Wide receiver DT Sheffield, Defensive End Eric O’Niell, and Defensive End Bradley Weaver are all expected to be new impact players for the Knights this season. It remains to be seen how their impact will offset the talent Rutgers has lost this offseason.
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