Rutgers is heading to a bowl game, with ESPN analysts coming up with two very different projections for the Big Ten program.
Rutgers (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten), is coming off a Saturday loss to No. 1 Ohio State. With three games left in the regular season, they are not favored in their next two games but are being projected by ESPN to finish 7-5. They end the season Nov. 25 at home against Maryland.
ESPN FPI just moved Rutgers to being the favorite in their regular season finale.
ESPN analyst Mark Schlabach has Rutgers going to the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28, where he has them facing Boston College. The Pinstripe Bowl, played at Yankee Stadium (Bronx, New York) is the closest bowl game geographically to Rutgers.
It is also the closest of any bowl game with a Big Ten tie-in for the Scarlet Knights.
The projection from Schlabach likely means that Rutgers is thought to only get one more win (at most) for the rest of the season. ESPN FPI is projecting Rutgers, albeit narrowly, to win their final regular season game against Maryland to finish 7-5.
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As for the other ESPN analyst making projections Kyle Bonagura has a more enticing option for Rutgers.
Bonagura has been adamant for a couple of weeks now that he thinks Rutgers is going to the Music City Bowl (Nashville, Tennessee). Last week, he had Rutgers against Tennessee.
This week, the projection has Florida as the projected opponent.
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The Music City Bowl would be the most prestigious bowl game that Rutgers would have been played in as an outright bowl-eligible team. Florida would also represent a truly impressive opponent and one that is likely to get the fan base excited.
It has been a fun season for Rutgers football fans. Scroll down and check out the best photos from this season!