What's everyone feeling about the upcoming Rutgers Football Season?

How do you feel about the upcoming 2026 Rutgers Football Season?

  • Excited - think the team is improved this year

    Votes: 5 7.9%
  • Cautiously Optimistic - results should be better this year

    Votes: 16 25.4%
  • Wait and See - just don't know what to expect

    Votes: 23 36.5%
  • Meh - more of the same, wash, rinse and repeat

    Votes: 16 25.4%
  • Negative - team's on a downward spiral and will be worse than last year

    Votes: 3 4.8%

  • Total voters
    63
  • This poll will close: .

DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
49,509
60,831
113
This isn't a poll for expected record, rather just trying to gauge how the fanbase feels at the beginning of July on the upcoming season. I plan to run the same poll right before the first game to see where everyone stands then.
 

LeapinLou

All-American
Jul 24, 2001
13,302
7,095
113
If you hear a restaurant is amazing, even if your meal is good, you're a little disappointed that it wasn't beyond great. Conversely, you go to a place with low expectations, then your happy with a good meal.

My point? Expect 5-7 so that if they finish 6-6, you'll be overjoyed.
 
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RUforester72

All-Conference
Jul 23, 2014
3,657
2,364
112
I've been ignoring the hype, definitely wait and see. In the meantime trying to decide whether to travel back there for either USC or Indiana. Circumstances limit me to that ugly choice!
 

RUPete90

Senior
Jul 3, 2025
681
928
93
If you hear a restaurant is amazing, even if your meal is good, you're a little disappointed that it wasn't beyond great. Conversely, you go to a place with low expectations, then your happy with a good meal.

My point? Expect 5-7 so that if they finish 6-6, you'll be overjoyed.
If Gordon Ramsey visits camp and says the offense is "bland with no seasoning..." We can expect the low-end yield from our restaurant.
 
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Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
89,517
87,476
113
I've been ignoring the hype, definitely wait and see. In the meantime trying to decide whether to travel back there for either USC or Indiana. Circumstances limit me to that ugly choice!
There's hype?
Where?
This is not putting anything or anyone down. Greg has a cone of silence around the program.
The biggest hype are Raymond and Duff coming back, but the QB and OL are big question marks, which is why I chose wait and see.
 

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,781
13,027
78
There's hype?
Where?
This is not putting anything or anyone down. Greg has a cone of silence around the program.
The biggest hype are Raymond and Duff coming back, but the QB and OL are big question marks, which is why I chose wait and see.

Definite “wait and see”, but yeah, there’s some hype around Duff and Raymond for sure and a pretty sturdy floor @ QB with Lonergan. There are some unknown pieces on the OL but the guys projected to fill the holes have potential. Offense definitely has potential to be pretty good.

The defense projects to be a complete disaster to the point where simply not being a 3 ring circus would qualify as a decent opening year for Johansen. Fair or not, he’ll need to do better than simply elevate us from laughing stock if he wants a crack at a year two. I’m sure he was aware of what he signed up for though.
 

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
89,517
87,476
113
Definite “wait and see”, but yeah, there’s some hype around Duff and Raymond for sure and a pretty sturdy floor @ QB with Lonergan. There are some unknown pieces on the OL but the guys projected to fill the holes have potential. Offense definitely has potential to be pretty good.

The defense projects to be a complete disaster to the point where simply not being a 3 ring circus would qualify as a decent opening year for Johansen. Fair or not, he’ll need to do better than simply elevate us from laughing stock if he wants a crack at a year two. I’m sure he was aware of what he signed up for though.
I'm not certain Lonergan will be QB, and time will tell.
I'm hoping Johansen pulls a rabbit out of hat and rights the ship. Hoping. . . . .
 

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,781
13,027
78
I'm not certain Lonergan will be QB, and time will tell.
I'm hoping Johansen pulls a rabbit out of hat and rights the ship. Hoping. . . . .

Yeah - I’m not certain he will either, but his BC film constitutes the best estimate of our “floor” simply because there’s film on him. Of course, 2 seasons of watching GW confirms that Greg doesn’t always pick the best QB so there’s that, of course, but I’m still going to operate under the assumption that Surace would only start if he’s better than Lonergan. It’s also a different situation in that we must have paid a lot of money to bring Lonergan here. Surace has paid his dues but not in the way Gavin did with coming a year early. I do believe in this case whoever performs better in camp will win the job.
 

koleszar

Heisman
Jan 1, 2010
37,550
59,130
113
I'll go in with my usual optimism, then by game 7 or 8 be motherfv*king everything to do with this team. (You just know they'll be a heartbreaking loss somewhere in there) By then trips to the stadium will seem more like a chore than event. Offseason will be, I'm not getting season tickets to watch that again, then relent and give it one more go. It's been rinse and repeat for like 20 yrs with the, I promise this is the last season.
 

RUPete90

Senior
Jul 3, 2025
681
928
93
I'll go in with my usual optimism, then by game 7 or 8 be motherfv*king everything to do with this team. (You just know they'll be a heartbreaking loss somewhere in there) By then trips to the stadium will seem more like a chore than event. Offseason will be, I'm not getting season tickets to watch that again, then relent and give it one more go. It's been rinse and repeat for like 20 yrs with the, I promise this is the last season.
I feel like I am looking into a mirror after reading this post.
 

Bueller

Junior
Nov 28, 2025
414
352
63
I'm in the "kissing your sister" phase of fandom. There is no romance, magic or intrigue about the season. There will be fire between the 20s and ice in the red zone. The problems are obvious every year but Schiano is a stubborn, headbanging coach who thought tackling pro QBs on kneel downs was good football. I like the people and will be watching for players like Duff and Raymond.
 
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DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
49,509
60,831
113
... but the QB and OL are big question marks, which is why I chose wait and see.

I am far less concerned about OL than the QB. The production at the QB position will make or break this team, well, I shouldn't put it like that, but if we get AK numbers I could easily see us a 8-9 win team. If we don't get that production, I see us in the 5-7 win range.
 
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bigmatt718

Heisman
Mar 11, 2013
16,008
22,554
113
I'm in the meh category. Schiano 2.0 is who he is, which is a meathead who has zero innovation and still coaches like it is 2005. We will beat the teams we are supposed to beat (3 OOC scrubs, Maryland, Sparty) and lose to the teams we are supposed to lose to (USC, Indiana, Michigan). The toss up games (NW, Wisconsin, Nebraska) will determine if we see a trip to the Bronx the day after Christmas vs a mid ACC team like Pitt or UVA.
 
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Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
89,517
87,476
113
I feel like I am looking into a mirror after reading this post.
It hasn't been fun for a long time. It's not popular with some here, but sold tickets to the games that were going to be blowouts last year because after several beat downs, it's no fun watching Rutgers get destroyed on the field. Anyone can wag their little finger at me if they want. I don't care.
 

RU#1fan

Heisman
Mar 7, 2003
23,728
12,415
113
I've been ignoring the hype, definitely wait and see. In the meantime trying to decide whether to travel back there for either USC or Indiana. Circumstances limit me to that ugly choice!
We are traveling back for the USC game for sure….and maybe Nebraska. Also if Rutgers gets a ticket allocation from Northwestern might go as well.
 

RobertG

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
13,292
12,492
113
It hasn't been fun for a long time. It's not popular with some here, but sold tickets to the games that were going to be blowouts last year because after several beat downs, it's no fun watching Rutgers get destroyed on the field. Anyone can wag their little finger at me if they want. I don't care.
No Way Reaction GIF


You are a very bad man.
 

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,781
13,027
78
I am far less concerned about OL than the QB. The production at the QB position will make or break this team, well, I shouldn't put it like that, but if we get AK numbers I could easily see us a 8-9 win team. If we don't get that production, I see us in the 5-7 win range.

BC had very little talent at the skill positions and Lonergan still managed to throw for over 2,000 yards at a 67% completion rate. He didn’t have anyone like Duff and was surrounded by virtually no run game. There are no guarantees, but if the OL does its job protecting we should be decent at QB.

Even if the offense is good, the defense still has to find a way to get some stops if we hope to win more games than we did last year.
 
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Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
89,517
87,476
113
BC had very little talent at the skill positions and Lonergan still managed to throw for over 2,000 yards at a 67% completion rate. He didn’t have anyone like Duff and was surrounded by virtually no run game. There are no guarantees, but if the OL does its job protecting we should be decent at QB.

Even if the offense is good, the defense still has to find a way to get some stops if we hope to win more games than we did last year.
Turbo Richard was in overdrive:
749 Rushing Yards, 5.2 YPC for 9 TDs.
232 Receiving Yards for 2 TDs

 

DJ Spanky

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
49,509
60,831
113
BC had very little talent at the skill positions and Lonergan still managed to throw for over 2,000 yards at a 67% completion rate. He didn’t have anyone like Duff and was surrounded by virtually no run game. There are no guarantees, but if the OL does its job protecting we should be decent at QB.

Even if the offense is good, the defense still has to find a way to get some stops if we hope to win more games than we did last year.

We had this conversation a month ago in this thread:

Ranking all 138 FBS QB situations

Let's just say I'm not as enamored with his stats plus hearing that he didn't exactly wow them in spring ball.
 
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Aug 11, 2025
626
486
63
I'm in the meh category. Schiano 2.0 is who he is, which is a meathead who has zero innovation and still coaches like it is 2005. We will beat the teams we are supposed to beat (3 OOC scrubs, Maryland, Sparty) and lose to the teams we are supposed to lose to (USC, Indiana, Michigan). The toss up games (NW, Wisconsin, Nebraska) will determine if we see a trip to the Bronx the day after Christmas vs a mid ACC team like Pitt or UVA.
You left out state penn
 
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Rutgers Chris

All-American
Nov 29, 2005
5,355
6,332
97
It hasn't been fun for a long time. It's not popular with some here, but sold tickets to the games that were going to be blowouts last year because after several beat downs, it's no fun watching Rutgers get destroyed on the field. Anyone can wag their little finger at me if they want. I don't care.
Third year in a row I’m selling my ticket to every game!














Because I live in California now.
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
32,161
20,084
113
This isn't a poll for expected record, rather just trying to gauge how the fanbase feels at the beginning of July on the upcoming season. I plan to run the same poll right before the first game to see where everyone stands then.
I'm firmly in the meh category. I expect 5 or 6 wins. Highly doubt an upside is possible unless we get really lucky with the new QB. Barely paid attention to the offseason because college sports suck right now. But football is still football, so I will watch.
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
32,161
20,084
113
I'll go in with my usual optimism, then by game 7 or 8 be motherfv*king everything to do with this team. (You just know they'll be a heartbreaking loss somewhere in there) By then trips to the stadium will seem more like a chore than event. Offseason will be, I'm not getting season tickets to watch that again, then relent and give it one more go. It's been rinse and repeat for like 20 yrs with the, I promise this is the last season.
My semi-anonymous online friend, you are living in pugatory (just like all of us). LOL!
 
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RobertG

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
13,292
12,492
113
I'm telling you guys, anybody selling their tickets are going to be sorrrryyyy.

9-3 baby!

Come on let's get some juice in this place! All you guys whining that we lost last year,

What the f--k happened to the TKR I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? This could be the greatest season of our lives, but you're gonna let it be the worst. 'Ooh, we're afraid to cheer with you, RobertG, we might lose.' Well, just kiss my *** from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Northwestern, they going down! Wisconson, down! Nebraska...
 
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RUPete90

Senior
Jul 3, 2025
681
928
93
I'm telling you guys, anybody selling their tickets are going to be sorrrryyyy.

9-3 baby!

Come on let's get some juice in this place! All you guys whining that we lost last year,

What the f--k happened to the TKR I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? This could be the greatest season of our lives, but you're gonna let it be the worst. 'Ooh, we're afraid to cheer with you, RobertG, we might lose.' Well, just kiss my *** from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Northwestern, they going down! Wisconson, down! Nebraska...
Probably not. You can make some good money off of selling yellow lot parking to blue blood fans. I haven’t done it but I have heard the stories about the returns. I really hope you’re being sarcastic with your post.
 
Aug 11, 2025
626
486
63
I'm telling you guys, anybody selling their tickets are going to be sorrrryyyy.

9-3 baby!

Come on let's get some juice in this place! All you guys whining that we lost last year,

What the f--k happened to the TKR I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? This could be the greatest season of our lives, but you're gonna let it be the worst. 'Ooh, we're afraid to cheer with you, RobertG, we might lose.' Well, just kiss my *** from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Northwestern, they going down! Wisconson, down! Nebraska...
Bless your heart! ☺️
 

RUPete90

Senior
Jul 3, 2025
681
928
93
State Penn in the probable loss as of now. Cant get a read on them until I see what they look like in their new era.
It will be an interesting adjustment for them. Campbell’s system is probably something they’re not used to, but they were looking for something different after Franklin. We’ll see.
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
32,161
20,084
113
I'm telling you guys, anybody selling their tickets are going to be sorrrryyyy.

9-3 baby!

Come on let's get some juice in this place! All you guys whining that we lost last year,

What the f--k happened to the TKR I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? This could be the greatest season of our lives, but you're gonna let it be the worst. 'Ooh, we're afraid to cheer with you, RobertG, we might lose.' Well, just kiss my *** from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Northwestern, they going down! Wisconson, down! Nebraska...
If we go 9-3 in the regular season, I will donate $10,000 to the charity of your choice. Serious, no joke. Maybe this can be a reverse TKR jink or something! :)
 

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
89,517
87,476
113
I'm telling you guys, anybody selling their tickets are going to be sorrrryyyy.

9-3 baby!

Come on let's get some juice in this place! All you guys whining that we lost last year,

What the f--k happened to the TKR I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? This could be the greatest season of our lives, but you're gonna let it be the worst. 'Ooh, we're afraid to cheer with you, RobertG, we might lose.' Well, just kiss my *** from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this. Northwestern, they going down! Wisconson, down! Nebraska...
I'm kind of with you. Here's why, and it's a little bit off with timing.
Greg 1.0 Year 6 was the magical year, 11-2/5-2, beating #6 Louisville on November 9, 2006. Mike Teel and Ray Rice in their second full seasons. Mike Teel was not stellar, with 12 TD and 13 INT, but with Ray Rice at RB, he was good enough. Rice and Kenny Britt have breakout seasons.

Greg 2.0. This year is his sixth FULL year (2020 was a partial Covid year). Dylan Lonergan in his second full season. Antwan Raymond and KJ Duff in their third full seasons. Raymond and Duff have breakout seasons.

Here's how the 2026 season unfolds in the 20th anniversary dream season scenario:
Rutgers beats UMass, BC, USC, Howard, Maryland and Northwestern, and loses to Indiana to start the season 6-1.

Michigan game is Halloween night, one week ahead of November 6, the anniversary of Pandemonium in Piscataway. Rutgers beats Michigan on a field goal as time expires to go 7-1 for Pandemonium in Piscataway 2.0.

Rutgers goes 4-1 for the rest of the season (losing to either Wisconsin or Penn State) to go 10-2/7-2 in conference.

Mark it down!!!
 

JC_in128

Senior
Mar 9, 2023
559
406
36
If the O line comes together, this will be a real fun year. We have playmakers on the outside and in the backfield. We have a D staff that will be markedly better than what we had last year, and we have kids that chose to be at RU want to be at RU and will play above talent level all year because of coaching. Gonna come down to the O Line as it is with most teams. I am looking forward to what we will see. Regardless, we will be there in 128 every week like we always are.
 
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RUTGERS95

Heisman
Sep 28, 2005
33,575
49,154
113
I'm not certain Lonergan will be QB, and time will tell.
I'm hoping Johansen pulls a rabbit out of hat and rights the ship. Hoping. . . . .
agree on Dylan. Kirk said 3 years to get his offense so he's starting uphill from behind. That said, I venture to say it's his team by mid season as he's already a proven player at this level and looks good. AJ is just too uncertain with Greg need to win this year. My guess is AJ starts out of loyalty and since the comp is close. Once teams get film on him and our scaled down offense, it's feasting season (scaled down as AK and Strong are hard to replace so expecting a lot more running and less points)

We'll get more of a look in August and see how they are doing. If the comp is this close and with Dylan still learning the playbook, that tells me Dylan has more upside given Kirks comments on his offense. By all accounts, Dylan is a smart guy so we'll see.
 
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