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Rutgers' 2026 Season: A Steep Decline Predicted
26 Jul
Summary
- Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis has departed, leaving a void.
- Running back Antwan Raymond faces a heavy load this season.
- Rutgers faces Purdue for the worst team projection in conference.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are bracing for a challenging 2026 season, with projections indicating a significant downturn. The departure of starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is a major blow to the team's offensive capabilities. While running back Antwan Raymond remains a solid offensive piece, his ability to compensate for other roster weaknesses is uncertain.
Amidst these offensive concerns, the team's defense is also noted as a vulnerability. Analysts predict a potentially winless conference record for Rutgers, placing them in contention with the Purdue Boilermakers for the least successful team in the conference. Top-tier teams like the USC Trojans are expected to view their Week 4 matchup against Rutgers as a favorable opportunity.
This upcoming game against USC is anticipated to be one of the easier contests for the Trojans in the 2026 season. It serves as a tune-up before a more critical game against the Oregon Ducks, which will hold greater significance for USC's standing.
