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Count Logan Ryan as a believer in what Rutgers football is building.
The former Rutgers defensive back believes that his Scarlet Knights have a chance this Saturday against No. 10 Ohio State, especially coming off last week’s narrow loss at a ranked Michigan. Ryan, who played two years under Greg Schiano during the head coach’s first stint with the program, sees his alma mater bouncing back from the ash heap after a difficult few seasons at the bottom of the Big Ten. His third season at Rutgers was spent under head coach Kyle Flood, now the offensive coordinator at Texas.
Rutgers narrowly lost 20-13 at then-No. 19 Michigan last Saturday with the Scarlet Knights holding a chance late in the game to tie the score.
The New York Giants defensive back was asked on Friday if Rutgers has a chance against the defending Big Ten champions. Ryan was bullish as Rutgers (3-1, 0-1 in the Big Ten) hosts a top 10 Ohio State (3-1, 1-0 in the Big Ten) at 3:30 PM ET.
“Of course, did you see the last game?” Ryan told reporters during media availability on Friday.
“Schiano’s back. [Rutgers] is playing good football. We’ve got a good chance. We’re going to cover that spread, I know that for sure. I think we might have a good chance to win that game, too.”
So you’re saying there’s a chance…
Then Ryan went for the jugular in his analysis, clearly pining for a post-playing career seat in an already crowded Rutgers radio booth alongside Chris Carlin, Eric LeGrand, Julian Pinnix-Odrick, and Mike Teel.
“Ohio State hasn’t been looking too great from what I’ve been seeing, even though I’m a fan of Kerry Coombs [the Ohio State defensive coordinator]. I know he works hard but I’m a bigger Rutgers fan,” Ryan said. “So I’m going for Rutgers.”
Coombs was defensive backs coach at the Tennesee Titans for two years when Ryan played there. He joined Ohio State two years ago as their defensive coordinator.
As for Ryan, he was twice a first-team all-conference selection at Rutgers.
In three games this year for the Giants, Ryan has 26 tackles, a pass defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.