Rutgers might be bowl bound if Las Vegas is any indication.
The Scarlet Knights might be poised for an uptick under first-year head coach Chris Ash as Bovada.LV released their odds for win totals for the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers went 4-8 last year under then head coach Kyle Flood for just their second season without a bowl game since 2005 but it looks like there is optimism that the program can rebound quickly. The odds according to Bovada have Rutgers at the threshold for bowl eligibility:
2016 Regular Season Wins – Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Over 6 (+200, 2/1)
Under 6 (-300, 1/3)
Making a bowl game this season would be a major accomplishment for Ash. Not only would he be returning the program to postseason territory, he would likely be doing so with a new quarterback under center in an offense that is new and set to be installed when training camp opens next week. Should Rutgers be bowl eligible with six wins, it would be something that would likely resonate far beyond the field for Ash and company. Already without so much as a snap of the football, Ash has pieced together the No. 16 recruiting class in the nation according to Rivals.com. Should he take Rutgers to a bowl game in his first year as head coach, he likely could land a couple more of the coveted four-star recruits that Rutgers needs to compete in the Big Ten and be in the mix for a conference championship. A bowl game would also represent the chance at 15 extra practices for the team, vital time to develop the young players on the roster ahead of spring practice in 2017.
Other area programs in the Bovada release:
2016 Regular Season Wins – Boston College Eagles
Over 7 (+130, 13/10)
Under 7 (-170, 10/17)
2016 Regular Season Wins – Penn State Nittany Lions
Over 8 (+140, 7/5)
Under 8 (-180, 5/9)
2016 Regular Season Wins – Temple Owls
Over 8½ (-300, 1/3)
Under 8½ (+200, 2/1)
Vegas likes odds Rutgers football comes out of Big Ten with strong record
