Rutgers football is in its all-important fourth season of a rebuild under head coach Greg Schiano. There is definitely heightened pressure surrounding this year for Schiano, something that ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum says is natural.
For Rutgers fans, longing for the glory days of Schiano’s first stint with the program, the start to the season on Sunday was certainly a positive start. A Week 1 win over Northwestern was rather convincing, the 24-7 scoreline not indicative of Rutgers’ dominance in the game.
In speaking to Rutgers Wire last week, Finebaum said that it is important for Schiano to show progress this year.
“I think at some point you have to win. No matter who you are in college football, you can’t say ‘Well we’re Rutgers and we’re making progress.’ That doesn’t play well,” Finebaum said last week.
“I’ve told you before that I’m a fan of coach Schiano. But you just can’t keep saying we’re close. You’re coming off what, 4-8? That does not sell. As much as I like Schiano, as much as I’ve praised him in the past…win! You’re third year, you have four wins, to me it is always about improving.”
Rutgers hasn’t had a winning season since 2014, which was its first year in the Big Ten. Coincidentally, that was also the last season that the Scarlet Knights won a bowl game.
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On Saturday night, Rutgers will host Temple in their annual ‘Blackout’ game.