College football season is rapidly approaching, with fall camp opening in early August. We’re going through Indiana’s schedule to look ahead at all 12 opponents for 2026.
- Opponent: Rutgers
- Date/Time/TV: Saturday, October 3, 8 p.m.; TBD
- Location: SHI Stadium, Piscataway, New Jersey
- 2025 record/postseason result: 5-7, 2-7 Big Ten
- Overall returning production: 47 percent (per Bill Connelly/ESPN) (92nd in the country, 16th in the Big Ten)
Returning production, offense: 49 percent (per Bill Connelly/ESPN) (82nd in the country)
Offensive outlook: Rutgers had a solid offense in 2025, ranking 44th in the country and sixth in the Big Ten with 407.1 yards per game. That was because of a strong passing offense (25th in the country, 266.1 yards per game).
The Scarlet Knights had the dynamic Athan Kaliakmanis at quarterback last season, but they now turn to redshirt sophomore AJ Surace, son of longtime Princeton head coach Bob Surace. They have their leading receiver from last season, KJ Duff, back this year after posting 1,084 yards (10th in the nation, third in the Big Ten) on 60 receptions with seven touchdowns. But outside of Duff, Rutgers has a lot of youth and inexperience in its wide receiver room.
RU didn’t have a potent rushing offense, overall, but running back Antwan Raymond is coming off an outstanding season. He rushed for 1,241 yards (14th in the nation, third in the Big Ten) on 244 carries (second in the Big Ten, and 16th in yards per carry) with 13 touchdowns (fifth in the conference). Head coach Greg Schiano will hope Louisiana Tech transfer Clay Thevenin (131 carries, 634 yards, eight touchdowns in 2025) can become a formidable second option to elevate the backfield.
Rutgers’ offensive line excelled in run blocking last year, with the sixth-highest PFF grade in the country. Pass blocking was more of a struggle, ranking 75th in PFF grade. Two starters return from that unit: guard Kwabena Asamoah and tackle Tyler Needham.
Returning production, defense: 46 percent (per Bill Connelly/ESPN) (88th in the country)
Defensive outlook: After a second consecutive abysmal defensive season, Rutgers moved on from co-defensive coordinators Robb Smith and Zach Sparber. RU finished 127th (out of 136) in FBS by allowing 432.8 yards per game. Travis Johansen takes over the defense, coming off an FCS Playoff Quarterfinal run as South Dakota head coach. The Coyotes ranked 49th in FCS in total defense (356.6 yards per game allowed).
The Scarlet Knights have only three starters back from last year’s defense, though. Two of them are up front, defensive tackles Keshon Griffin and Zaire Angoy. Neither was particularly effective last season. Safety Kaj Sanders is the other returnee, but he finished with one of the worst PFF grades in the country among safeties last season.
Cornerback Mikey Munn followed Johansen from South Dakota via the transfer portal and figures to play a key role in the secondary. He’s one of several mid-major or FCS transfers whom Rutgers may turn to this year.
Special teams outlook: Rutgers, as a team, finished with the third-worst special teams PFF grade in the Big Ten last season. Redshirt senior Jai Patel is Rutgers’ placekicker; he went 13 for 18 on field goals and 37 for 39 on extra points last season. Junior Jakob Anderson returns as punter after averaging a solid 44.2 yards per punt last season. The Scarlet Knights recorded only five punt returns last season, as a team, though Sanders did run one back for a touchdown. Wide receiver Ben Black was the team’s primary kick returner last season, averaging 20.8 yards per return, and he’s back this year.
Overall Outlook: This is IU’s first road game of the season, but that hasn’t been an issue for Curt Cignetti’s teams. Rutgers’ offense could give Indiana’s defense a real test in this game, if Surace can ably fill Kaliakmanis’ shoes. But the Scarlet Knights defense has a lot of room for improvement — it’s unfair to completely write off the unit after a coaching change and a lot of new personnel, but it still doesn’t look likely to be a strong defense. Indiana should be able to handle business here.
Previous Outlooks:
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