Preseason poll predicts Rutgers to struggle in 2026 football season

Rutgers Football is projected to finish 17th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten, according to Cleveland.com’s annual preseason poll released ahead of Big Ten Media Days. The Scarlet Knights are coming off a disappointing five-win season in 2025, with concerns primarily focused on their defensive performance. Previous predictions from Athlon Sports and Phil Steele also placed them 16th in the conference. Rutgers will face a challenging schedule, including ranked teams like Indiana, USC, Michigan, and Penn State, making improvement imperative for the upcoming season.

• 4:07 PMYahoo Sports — Notable Preseason Poll Predicts Tragic 2026 Season For Rutgers