Could Friday night lights be coming to Rutgers football?

FOX Sports is expected to start broadcasting college football games on Friday nights.

It appears that Friday night lights could be coming to the Big Ten, with FOX reportedly set to begin rolling out college football games on the first night of the weekend.

The Big Ten, the Big 12 and the Mountain West, all media partners with FOX Sports, are expected to get in on the Friday night rotation.

The decision by FOX to extend their college football programming window to Friday night is certain to only further push conference expansion and re-alignment. More teams will be needed to fill the emerging time slots on Friday as well as create content for the likes of the Big Ten Network and the SEC Network.

As such, Friday’s decision to push into the unconventional Friday timeslot makes the network a go-to outlet for college football fans.

Friday night college football is expected to kick off next year.

“FOX is football, and our new Friday night package will make FOX the leader in America’s game throughout the weekend,” Michael Mulvihill, FOX’s President of Insight and Analytics, said according to FOX Sports.

“We’ve built our collegiate business by seizing opportunities in previously underutilized timeslots, first with ‘Big Noon Saturday’ and now on Friday nights. Our goal this fall is to have the No. 1 college football game on both Fridays and Saturdays and the top NFL game on Sundays”

The ambitious move could have ramifications for Rutgers.

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Friday night could be a desirable spot to put Rutgers. The atmosphere for night games at Rutgers is well-known and the chance to tie in the nearby skyline in New York City is often a big selling point for networks to choose Rutgers.

Also, that New York City market on a Friday night, where Rutgers would be the only football game on, could be enticing for FOX.

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Two years ago, Rutgers hosted (and lost) a Friday night game against Nebraska that aired on FS1. Barstool Sports and Kelsey Grammer attended what was the annual ‘Blackout Game.’

 

Big Ten Network airing National Signing Day special

The Big Ten Network will have a signing day special.

For Big Ten football fans across the country, The Big Ten Network will be the station to watch on signing day. On Wednesday, December 20, the network will air four hours of live recruiting coverage starting at 2 p.m. ET.

The B1G Live: Signing Day Special will feature Mike Hall, Howard Griffith, Jake Butt and Allen Trieu. On the show, they will break down the incoming classes, transfer portal movement, and roster updates for all 14 Big Ten schools. However, the fun does not stop there.

A few head coaches from the Big Ten are scheduled to join the show. That list includes Ryan Day, James Franklin, Oregon’s Dan Lanning, USC’s Lincoln Riley and Washington’s Kalen DeBoer. They will be joined by Michigan Commit I’Marion Stewart, who will provide his thoughts on the Wolverine’s chances in the College Football Playoff.

 

As news in the Big Ten breaks, there will be plenty for this group to discuss. During the 2023 season, eight teams including Rutgers reached the seven-will mark. That has only created excitement for how the next class will impact the conference.

The B1G Live: Signing Day Special will also be streamed on the Fox Sports App and social media.

How did Big Ten football fare in Week 13 of the college football season?

After months of action, the 2023 college football regular season came to an end this past weekend.

After months of action, the 2023 college football regular season came to an end this past weekend.

The Big Ten was one of the best conferences in the county as three teams in Ohio State, Iowa and Michigan finished with at least 10 wins. While they dominated their competition, they were not the only teams who had success.

Seven other teams in the conference finished with at least six wins, including Rutgers, Maryland, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. In the final week of the season, they all gave their fans reasons to celebrate.

The Terrapins’ offense was unstoppable in their matchup with Rutgers. Maryland scored 42 points and recorded 498 yards of total offense. Northwestern also ended their season in impressive fashion with a 45-43 win over Illinois. Cam Johnson had one of his best games for the Wildcats, with 124 receiving yards.

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For more about each team in the conference and what lies ahead, check out the list below!

Penn State fires offensive coordinator Mike Yurich ahead of matchup with Rutgers

Penn State fires their offensive coordinator ahead of Rutgers game on Saturday.

When Penn State takes on Rutgers this Saturday, the coaching staff will look slightly different from 24 hours ago. Following Penn State’s loss to Michigan over the weekend, the Nittany Lions removed offensive coach Mike Yurcich from the staff.

Jon Sauber of the Centre Daily Times was the first to report the news.

Against Michigan, Penn State’s offense could not get much going, recording only 238 yards of total offense. They also struggled to move the chains, as Yurich’s offense went 4-14 on third downs. Penn State’s only other loss this season came against Ohio State.

 

As the Nittany Lions turn their focus to their matchup with Rutgers, Ja’Juan Seider is expected to take over the offensive playcalling, according to Football Scoop. He will keep the role for the remainder of the season and will be assisted by Ty Howle.

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Yurcich joined the Penn State coaching staff in 2021 after one season with Texas. His coaching career includes stops at Shippensburg, Edinboro, Oklahoma State and Ohio State. While Penn State is off to an 8-2 start, they have struggled against top-ranked teams over the past three years.

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After week 11, Penn State is ranked 74th in the nation in total offense and 46th in rushing offense. However, Saturday could offer a chance at redemption. Through 10 games, Rutgers has allowed nearly 300 yards per game, including 128.2 rushing yards.

How did Big Ten football fare in Week 11 of the college football season?

As the college football regular season continued to wind down, the Big Ten conference impressed during week 11

As the college football regular season continued to wind down, the Big Ten conference impressed during week 11.

Ohio State and Michigan each improved to 10-0 with dominating wins. However, they are not the only programs that have been racking up wins. Four other teams in the conference have at least six wins. That list includes Penn State, Iowa and Rutgers.

This weekend featured a few entertaining matchups, such as Penn State and Michigan. The Wolverines beat the Nittany Lions 24-15 on the road in the first game following Jam Harbaugh’s suspension. Blake Corum had a big day with 145 rushing yards on 26 carries. In the win, J.J. McCarthy only attempted eight passes.

Additionally, Illinois emerged with a victory over Indiana to improve to 5-5. The Maryland- Nebraska game also came down to the wire, but Maryland came away with a 13-10 win. With the playoffs inching closer, the Big Ten did not disappoint.

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For more about each team in the conference and what lies ahead, check out the list below!

Why did the College Football Playoff pick Ohio State as No. 1?

Ohio State surprised some insiders and analysts as the top team in the College Football Playoff rankings.

This weekend against the backdrop of SHI Stadium and a resurgent Rutgers football program, Ohio State will make their debut as the No. 1 team in the nation. Fresh off being named the top team in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings, Ohio State certainly will carry some pretty heavy expectations in their final four games of the season.

This week’s CFP ranking release was the first of the season. Ohio State is one of two Big Ten teams in the top four of the rankings, with No. 3 Michigan also in a prime spot.

Boo Corrigan, the athletic director at North Carolina State, explains why Ohio State was the committee’s top choice. He is the chairman of the CFP selection committee.

“The win against Penn State, to win at Notre Dame, the win at Wisconsin, they’ve proven they can do it at home, they’ve proven they can do it on the road. They have explosive plays. Down a receiver, Marvin Harrison, Jr., who’s clearly one of the top players in the country…” Corrigan explained on a conference call on Tuesday night.

“As we look at it, as we evaluate it, it is part of the overall evaluation, but a top-five defense that’s given up about 10 points a game really does play into it, as well.

“To pick completely on one side when the other side is so dominant, and the offense is really, really good, so we’ve got to take all that into account as we’re looking at it, and we came to the conclusion as a committee that they deserved the No. 1 ranking.”

Ohio State made the College Football Playoff last year, losing to No. 1 Georgia in the semifinal.

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Rutgers is having a solid season, sitting at 6-2 (3-2 Big Ten) and bowl-eligible after a 31-14 win at Indiana two weeks ago.

 

Around the Big Ten: Ohio State is No. 1 in the College Playoff Rankings

Ohio State is the top team in the College Football Playoff rankings.

It is now official. On Saturday, Rutgers football will be facing the No. 1 team in the nation as Ohio State was just crowned atop the College Football Playoff rankings.

The CFP rankings, released on Tuesday night, have Ohio State as the top team in the nation. They are followed by No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Florida State and No. 4 Michigan.

The committee has Penn State at No. 11. Rutgers will play Penn State in two weeks.

As for this Saturday, Rutgers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) faces a tough task against Ohio State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten). Ohio State has faced a tough schedule this year, having beaten two top-10 teams (No. 9 Notre Dame, and No. 7 Penn State).

Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano spoke to the media on Monday. He refused to say that Saturday was a potential measuring-stick game for his program.

“I do very little big picture when it comes to that stuff. We’re trying to be 1-0 at the end of the Ohio State season. We have to have a great week of preparation to do that, and then we have to go play our best game and see where that stacks up against theirs,” Schiano told reporters.

“And I can’t control anything about them but I certainly can us. And that’s going to be my focus; that we have a great, consistent week of practice, and then go play our best game of the season.”

Rutgers has never beaten Ohio State and has not beaten a ranked opponent since they joined the Big Ten in 2014.

How did Big Ten football fare in Week 9?

During the 2023 campaign, the Big Ten has been home to some of the best teams in college football

During the 2023 campaign, the Big Ten has been home to some of the best teams in college football. After Week 9, the conference has two undefeated teams in Michigan and Ohio State. Six teams also have at least six wins, including Rutgers.

As the conference looks to continue its exciting play, there are a few matchups this week for fans to mark on their calendars. Ohio State will put its undefeated record on the line on Saturday when they take on Rutgers. Penn State is also set to face a Maryland team with five wins.

Although the regular season begins to wind down, this weekend’s games could impact bowl eligibility. That should create some exciting moments with a lot on the line. Regardless of the outcomes, Big Ten football will again take center stage this week.

For more about each team in the conference and what lies ahead, check out the list below!

How did Big Ten football fare in Week 6 of the college football season?

Through the first two months of the college football season, the Big Ten has been home to some of the best teams in the country.

Through the first two months of the college football season, the Big Ten has been home to some of the best teams in the country. The conference features three undefeated teams in Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State. There are also six teams with at least five wins, including Rutgers.

Heading into this week of action, there are plenty of intriguing matchups in the Big Ten for fans to mark on their calendars. Two undefeated teams in, Penn State and Ohio State, will face off on Saturday night. The battle of Michigan is also set to take place on Saturday when Michigan heads to Lansing. 

As the conference looks to continue its strong play, there should be plenty of exciting moments this weekend. Saturday’s results could also have bowl game implications.

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For more about each team in the conference and what lies ahead, check out the list below!

Did the Big Ten just do Rutgers football a favor with the new schedule?

Rutgers football got a boost from the Big Ten with their upcoming schedule.

A schedule that was set-up to be murder’s row is now somewhat favorable for Rutgers football. The release of the Big Ten football schedule sees some revisions that are helpful for the Scarlet Knights.

With the addition of Oregon and Washington, the Big Ten’s originally released schedule (which came out in early June) had to be re-done. And it helps Rutgers out considerably.

Still a tough schedule, but definitely more balanced than the summer release, that’s for sure.

The original schedule was essentially removing Indiana (a team Rutgers has beaten the past two seasons) and replacing them with UCLA. So one of the easiest games on the schedule was swapped out for home game against a top-tier opponent (UCLA is receiving votes in the latest AP Poll).

The original schedule had Rutgers hosting Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Penn State and UCLA. The away games were Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota and Ohio State.

Hard to see Rutgers getting three Big Ten wins with that original lineup.

The new schedule is far more favorable for Rutgers and appears more favorable in terms of bowl eligibility:

2024 Big Ten Opponents  

  • Home: Illinois  
  • Home: Minnesota  
  • Home: UCLA  
  • Home: Washington  
  • Home: Wisconsin  
  • Away: Maryland  
  • Away: Michigan State  
  • Away: Nebraska  
  • Away: USC  

2025 Big Ten Opponents  

  • Home: Iowa  
  • Home: Maryland  
  • Home: Oregon  
  • Home: Penn State  
  • Away: Illinois  
  • Away: Minnesota  
  • Away: Ohio State  
  • Away: Purdue  
  • Away: Washington

Teams will still play three non-conference games in the upcoming two seasons.