You are reading that correctly, Rutgers is going to win the Big Ten Championship next year. On the eve of the 2017 Big Ten Championship, I’m telling you why Rutgers will win the 2018 installment. Earlier this season, I made and lost a bet with a fellow contributor on the outcome of a Cowboys football game. It was decided that since I lost I should share with all of you, just why Rutgers will take the crown next year. I will break this down into 2 parts.

First, I will share why teams ahead of them will not return to that spot next year. Let’s start with East Division champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes. Over the past years, Ohio State has lost a tremendous amount to the NFL draft, it will finally catch up to them next year. They only had one good defensive back this year, Denzel Ward, and when he leaves to be a first-round pick in the NFL draft, it will cripple Ohio State’s pass defense. Pair that with Ohio State’s loss of their 17th year senior JT Barrett, and I don’t know if the Buckeyes will have enough firepower and experience in that offense to contend with Big Ten powerhouse Rutgers. Next up, hear me now, Penn State will not be good next year. 2 huge losses will ruin their team.

First up is Saquon Barkley, the best running back prospect since Zeke, and one of the best since the turn of the millennium. He is the clear backbone of this offense, and I do not think an offense mainly based around McSorley’s arm will contend. Penn State also lost offensive coordinator extraordinaire Joe Moorhead to Mississippi State. His offensive genius is what has helped lead Penn State back to relevance the past couple of years, his loss will be detrimental.

Next up is Michigan State, who returns a lot next year. They are one of the youngest teams in the country this year and will likely be very good next year. Rutgers has them during rivalry week. By that time, if I am right and Rutgers is at the top of the conference, they will be playing for a berth in the conference championship game. They will leave it all on the field and should be right there playing with them, and in a close game anything can happen. With all of Rutgers’ senior leaders, which I will mention later, I give them the advantage in close games.

Lastly is the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan will lose a lot on defense, including leader Mo Hurst. In addition, Michigan has proven completely unable to have a competent QB under center in the Harbaugh tenure. With their best QB, Wilton Speight, transferring, it is likely that trend will continue next year, and the Wolverines once again will be unable to finish even top 2 in the division.

Rutgers has the formula to contend. While they are losing their top 2 rushers, it is no secret that Rutgers has not had a prolific rushing attack in the past, so the person who steps in will not have much to replace. Raheem Blackshear looks to be that man. In the Scarlet Knights’ game against Morgan State, he had 14 rushes for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns. While this was against Morgan State, he showed flashes of ability he could use against stronger teams to impact the Rutgers attack on the ground.

Through the air, Rutgers will most likely look to be lead by Giovanni Rescigno. While he might not have the best completion percentage, he does not throw many interceptions, which is important when you are playing with fewer athletes than some of your competition. Last year, he only threw one interception in 9 games played, which should help Rutgers stay in games. In addition, Rescigno added 53 rushes on the ground, adding another element into this soon-to-be vaunted Rutgers attack.

Also through the air, Rutgers will bring back their leader in receiving yards in 2017, Jerome Washington, leading to a known target for Rescigno to hit in space to spark the offense and open up the ground game for Blackshear. On defense, Rutgers had 2 LB’s this year with 100+ total tackles on the season. Both of them, Trevor Morris and Deonte Roberts, were Juniors, so we should expect them back next year as senior leaders on the defense to join Rescigno and Washington who will be senior leaders of the offense.

As Urban Meyer once said, “talent gets you 7-8 wins. Discipline pushes that to 9. Then when you get leadership, that’s when the magic happens.” With all this returning talent, Rutgers should have the ability to get 7-8 wins. Rescigno’s discipline not to throw interceptions can tip that to 9. And all the senior leaders stepping up and being true leaders can make the magic happen with Rutgers. Put all of that with a fantastic young coach in Chris Ash, and Rutgers will win the Big Ten next year. If you are smart, bet the fort on Rutgers next year to make yourself some money, I know I will.