BTN Crew Visits Rutgers as 2025 Season Hype Builds
The Big Ten Network has made its way back to Rutgers Football, bringing along Dave Revsine, Jake Butt, and Gerry DiNardo for a close-up look at the Scarlet Knights’ training camp. Their visit wasn’t just a casual stop—it was part of BTN’s annual Training Camp Tour, where the crew gets an on-the-ground feel for each program before the season kicks off. Rutgers welcomed them into practice on Wednesday, and the broadcast team left with plenty of notes—some encouraging, others raising questions.
From quarterbacks to defensive backs, every position group was evaluated. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was a major talking point, not just because he’s returning, but because he made history last season by becoming the first Scarlet Knight in a decade to pass for over 2,000 yards. That milestone alone has given Rutgers fans hope that the offense might finally be finding some rhythm. On the flip side, the receiving corps and offensive line still have to prove they can deliver consistently against Big Ten defenses.
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The loss of star running back Kyle Monangai has put the ground game under the microscope. It’s now a question of whether the backfield depth can step up in his absence. Over on defense, last year’s total of just 22 sacks left plenty of room for improvement, and that’s exactly why head coach Greg Schiano hit the transfer portal aggressively. Newcomers Eric O’Neill and Bradley Weaver have been brought in to give the pass rush some teeth, and expectations are high that those numbers will climb.
ESPN’s latest Big Ten power rankings placed Rutgers at No. 13—outside the top 10, but with a path to climb higher. To do that, the Knights will have to leapfrog programs like Michigan State and Washington. Washington, notably, fell to Rutgers in a sloppy Friday night game last season, proving that the Scarlet Knights can surprise bigger names. But the real hurdle is breaking a brutal streak: Rutgers hasn’t beaten a ranked opponent in 41 straight tries. That’s the dark cloud over the program, and this year’s schedule doesn’t make it easier, featuring heavyweights like Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon.
Still, there’s a feeling—maybe cautious, maybe stubborn—that this could be the year Rutgers takes a step forward. Schiano’s rebuild has been a grind since his return in 2020, and while bowl eligibility is the baseline goal, the real statement would be winning a big, ranked matchup. If BTN’s visit is any indication, the Scarlet Knights are preparing with urgency. The question is whether preparation can finally turn into breakthrough wins when the season kicks off.
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