Michigan Football 2026 Opponent Preview: Rutgers
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Greg Schiano is entering his second, seventh season at Rutgers. After guiding the program from 2001-11, Schiano returned for a second stint in 2020 but has been unable to reach the highs during his first run as a member of the Big East. Since returning, he has only posted a winning record twice, and both were seven-win campaigns in 2023 and 2024.
Coming off a deflating 2025 season, the pressure is mounting for Schiano to return the program to respectable mediocrity — the equivalent of contending for a conference title at most Big Ten schools — in 2026. And with questions at key positions and a complete overhaul on defense, the temperature on Schiano’s seat could already be turned on high by the time the Wolverines arrive in New Jersey on Halloween weekend.
Let’s take a closer look at what Schiano is working with this season.
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Greg Schiano (18th total season; Seventh consecutive)
- Offensive Coordinator: Kirk Ciarrocca (Sixth season)
- Defensive Coordinator: Travis Johansen (First season)
2025 Record
- 5-7 (2-7) 14th in the Big Ten
2025 Production Ranks
- Scoring Offense: 59th (Ninth in the Big Ten)
- Total Offense: 44th (Sixth in the Big Ten)
- Scoring Defense: 117th (T-16th in the Big Ten)
- Total Defense: 127th (18th in the Big Ten)
2025 TL;DR Recap
Far from your older sibling’s Rutgers team, the Scarlet Knights were not the worst last season, especially on offense. In eight of 12 games, Rutgers scored at least 27 points, and only Ohio State kept it below double digits. However, on defense, Rutgers only held two opponents — Miami (OH) and Norfolk State — under 31 points while looking utterly incompetent at its worst and mildly disorganized at its best. The imbalance resulted in a clunky product that only won two games over the final nine weeks.
Key Departures
- QB Athan Kaliakmanis (3,124 passing yards, 62 completion percentage, 20 touchdowns, and seven interceptions)
- WR Ian Strong (52 catches for 732 yards and five touchdowns)
- WR DT Sheffield (44 catches, 577 yards, and five touchdowns)
- CB Cam Miller (47 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception)
- C Gus Zilinskas (41-game starter)
- LG Bryan Felter (32-game starter)
- OT Raj White (20-game starter)
- DE Eric O’Neill (37 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks)
- CB Bo Mascoe (53 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, two forced fumbles)
Key Returners
- RB Antwan Raymond (1,241 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns)
- WR K.J. Duff (60 catches for 1,084 yards and seven touchdowns)
- RG Kwabena Asamoah (33-game starter)
- RT Tyler Needham (22-game starter)
- S Kaj Sanders (65 tackles)
- LB Abram Wright (58 tackles and one tackle for loss)
- DT Zaire Angoy (10 tackles)
Key Transfer Additions
- QB Dylan Longergan (Boston College)
- CB Kevyn Humes (Maryland)
- CB Bradlee Jones (The Citadel)
- DE Malachi Davis (Toledo)
- TE Kameron Anthony (Ball State)
Preseason Preview & Record Predictions
Per Athlon:
“The Scarlet Knights return two of the Big Ten’s top individual players in running back Antwan Raymond and receiver KJ Duff. However, coach Greg Schiano’s squad enters ‘26 with significant question marks at quarterback following the departure of Athan Kaliakmanis and needs to show big-time improvement on defense after giving up 36 points in Big Ten play last year. Boston College transfer Dylan Lonergan and AJ Surace will continue their battle to replace Kaliakmanis in the fall. Restocking an offensive line with three new starters is another key priority for Schiano. After last year’s struggles, Rutgers reset its defense by hiring South Dakota head coach Travis Johansen to coordinate this unit. Johansen’s biggest concern is arguably the front after the Scarlet Knights ranked last in the Big Ten in rush defense and underwent a significant offseason renovation. Moses Walker and Abram Wright return on the second level to give Johansen valuable experience to build around.”
CBS: 4-8
CFN: 4-8
ESPN FPI: 5.1-6.9
Maize n Brew Thoughts
Rutgers has two of the best skill position players in the Big Ten in running back Antwan Raymond and wide receiver K.J. Duff, as well as a favorable schedule, per Big Ten standards. The Scarlet Knights avoid Ohio State and Oregon, do not travel to the West Coast, and play their three toughest opponents all at home. But who is playing quarterback for this team? Who is playing on the left side of the offensive line? And what can anyone reasonably expect on the defensive side of the ball, except, “It can’t be worse, right?”
Schiano has consistently found a way to turn things around at Rutgers, as very few coaches in the country could. And now he will have to do so again, without Athan Kaliakmanis running the show and question marks abundant on both sides of the ball. When Michigan comes to town, Rutgers will have to have answers (and more answers and more answers) on how to win at the line of scrimmage to have a shot in this one.
But even without a win over the maize and blue, if Schiano can get this team to seven wins, it might be time to build the statue. But if the season spirals out of control and the defense continues to fall several levels short of respectability, 2027 could shape up to be a make-or-break season for Schiano in Piscataway.
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