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Rutgers football is still bowl eligible and Sunday’s USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll shows why the thought of a bowl isn’t so far-fetched for the Scarlet Knights.
Of course, Saturday’s loss at Northwestern is a tough blow to those said postseason ambitions, but the point still remains that Rutgers (3-4) has a far more manageable schedule in their remaining five games (all in the Big Ten).
Only one team ranked in this week’s USA TODAY Sports poll is on Rutgers schedule – their Nov. 20 game at No. 8 Penn State (5-1). Everyone else on Rutgers schedule, including Wisconsin (who was ranked in preseason), is manageable.
For Rutgers to make a bowl game, they will need almost surely need to beat Illinois (2-5) on the road in two weeks (Rutgers currently has a bye week) and then will need to beat two of their remaining four games.
They play Wisconsin (2-3) at home on Nov. 6 followed by Indiana (2-4) on the road, Penn State, and then Maryland (4-2) at home in their season finale. The Terrapins may have a winning record but are currently reeling, having lost their last two games by a combined 87 points.