Legendary Coach Predicts Rutgers to Emerge as the Next Indiana Powerhouse
Urban Meyer, a legendary figure in college football, has voiced his confidence in Rutgers University emerging as a significant powerhouse. During a recent episode of his podcast, *Triple Option*, Meyer highlighted the Scarlet Knights as a prime candidate to replicate Indiana’s remarkable turnaround.
Rutgers Could Be the Next Indiana Powerhouse
Meyer, who successfully coached teams at Florida and Ohio State, believes Rutgers can rise from a history of losses to national prominence. He made this claim in response to a question from podcast host Rob Stone, who asked him to identify teams that could experience a similar transformation to Indiana.
The Remarkable Rise of Indiana
Just days before Meyer’s prediction, Indiana celebrated an unprecedented achievement by clinching the national title. The Hoosiers defeated Miami, completing a perfect season. They ended the campaign with a 16-0 record, becoming the first team since Yale in 1894 to achieve such a milestone.
Meyer’s Top Picks
In the conversation, Meyer identified three teams that could rise to national championship levels: Rutgers, Rice, and Wake Forest. He expressed particular enthusiasm for Rutgers due to the influence of head coach Greg Schiano.
- Rice
- Rutgers
- Wake Forest
Meyer noted, “If Indiana can do this, so can they.” He emphasized Schiano’s skills as a coach, recalling the times when he had Schiano as his defensive coordinator at Ohio State.
The Legacy of Greg Schiano at Rutgers
Under Schiano’s leadership, Rutgers reached new heights in the 2006 season, achieving a top-five ranking. That year, they started with a stunning 9-0 record, highlighted by a victory against third-ranked Louisville. The Scarlet Knights concluded the season with an 11-2 record and secured their first bowl win.
Rutgers’ Historical Context
Despite its potential, Rutgers has experienced challenging times. The program currently holds the third-most losses in college football history, with a total of 708 losses, trailing only Northwestern and Indiana. They will face both teams in the upcoming fall season, offering an opportunity to change their fortunes.
Meyer’s predictions bring hope and a renewed sense of ambition to the Rutgers football program. As they strive to achieve greater success, the eyes of college football will be watching closely.
