Rutgers football: Staff predictions for the 2018 season

Show Caption Hide Caption WATCH: Rutgers names Art Sitkowski starting quarterback True freshman quarterback Art Sitkowski will start for Rutgers when it opens the season Sept. 1 against Texas State

PISCATAWAY - Give yourself a pat on the back.

You survived the offseason and now, finally, this country's true national pastime, football, is back. Here in New Jersey, there is much intrigue at Rutgers University as Chris Ash begins his third season at the helm.

Can Rutgers get to six wins and a bowl game? Is Art Sitkowski worth all the hype? Will the Big Ten East's elite swallow Rutgers whole like it did the last two years? We will start answering these questions on Saturday when the Scarlet Knights host Texas State at HighPoint.com Stadium (noon, Big Ten Network).

Below, USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey staffers offer their predictions for Rutgers' final record, followed by a prediction for the Big Ten Championship Game.

Josh Newman, Rutgers beat reporter

There are six wins on Rutgers' schedule, that much seems clear. Whether or not the Scarlet Knights get to six is a much different story.

There is a true freshman quarterback, yet another new offensive system, and yes, Rutgers still plays in the Big Ten East. A backloaded conference schedule, including trips to Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State, means the Scarlet Knights have to do their damage before Halloween.

Rutgers will have to steal one somewhere, the four-game stretch between Sept. 29 and Oct. 20 qualifying as critical to bowl hopes. Now, more so than any time since Chris Ash arrived, there is optimism. I talked myself into six wins a long time ago, so let's stick with that. Prediction: 6-6

Big Ten Championship Game: I've never been one to try and reinvent the wheel. Ohio State over Wisconsin

Jerry Carino, sports reporter/news columnist

The first legal forward pass in college football history was thrown on Sept. 5, 1906, when St. Louis University's Bradbury Robinson (great name) threw an incompletion against Carroll College. In his third season at the helm, Chris Ash's Scarlet Knights may finally attempt one this fall with strong-armed freshman Artur Sitkowski.

Make no mistake: This season is about Sitkowski's development above all else — including wins and losses. The Old Bridge native will have ups and downs, and if Ash sticks with him over the course of a tough schedule (huge if, given the coach's past QB bungling), reasonable Rutgers fans will see the big picture and potential payoff down the road. Prediction: 4-8

Big Ten Championship Game: Wisconsin 24, Ohio State 2, as Buckeye fans blame the loss on the media.

Mike Davis, Asbury Park Press reporter, Rutgers alum

This is the most excited I've been about Rutgers football since the first season in the Big Ten. That's a strange thing to say about a team that will finish near the bottom of the conference, but think about where they are today compared to this time two years ago: There's a defense that showed signs of improvement last year and can only get better in Chris Ash's third year at the helm.

The offensive coordinator is someone with actual experience, not just in his job but with the school. And for the first time in what seems like a lifetime, Rutgers has a quarterback. Artur Sitkowski (Old Bridge represent!) is going to have a lot of pressure on him this season, but that shouldn't stop him from performing.

It's simple: If Rutgers had anywhere near a decent quarterback over the last two seasons, the team may have stopped short of becoming a laughingstock.

But the schedule is no joke: Thanks to the laughable Big Ten conference "alignment," Rutgers has to play Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State every year — not to mention Wisconsin, likely the best team in the conference this season. There are at least five wins in there though — maybe even six — and mostly at home, meaning there could be a lot of Victory Chili in my future (I'm coming for you, Hansel 'n Griddle).

And hey: With a bowl game on the line, who's to say they can't steal a win against Penn State in Piscataway (I assure you: This is a true rivalry game to the Rutgers community). I'll be there for every home game, in Section 131 like usual. Come say hii, unless you're a Penn State fan. Prediction: 5-7

Big Ten Championship Game: Wisconsin over Ohio State

Steve Edelson, columnist

For better or for worse, I think everyone’s looking forward to a more aggressive Rutgers offense, while the defense should be better equipped to do battle in the Big Ten. And having a true freshman QB with a ton of potential in Artur Sitkowski should help energize the program and its fanbase.

Let’s say Rutgers holds serve at home and wins at Kansas in the early part of the schedule. That puts them at 5-1 heading to Maryland. That’s the critical game. And with the Terrapins in turmoil, Rutgers will knock them off and become bowl eligible. Prediction: 6-6

Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State 28, Wisconsin 27

Steve Feitl, digital strategist

Rutgers fans, there are only four months left in the year, so undoubtedly your social calendar is starting to fill up. Let me help you out: You’re watching football on Sept. 1, 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6 and 13 (Texas State, Kansas, Buffalo, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland). Then football season is over. You’ve got time for Halloween parties, holiday shopping and complaining about “The Walking Dead” on Twitter. Because you’re definitely not watching football on Sept. 8, Oct. 20, Nov. 3, 10, 17 or 24 (Ohio State, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State).

Also, stock the fridge with your favorite adult beverages on Sept. 29, Oct. 6 or 13 (Indiana, Illinois, Maryland), because on at least one of those dates, you’re going to face some heartbreak. Prediction: 5-7

Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State 66, Wisconsin 13. The Buckeyes will make great villains.

Bob Jordan, Asbury Park Press sports editor

Rutgers is looking at a six-win season minimally because we saw two victories in 2016 and four in 2017 (mathematic sequence solved!). But can the Scarlet Knights get to a seventh win? Bad news for either Wisconsin, Michigan, Penn State, or Michigan State — yes, it’ll happen in that four-game stretch at the end of the regular season. And, yes, this is a reach one season removed from a home loss to Eastern Michigan.

Warning: Everything falls apart if there is underperformance against Texas State, Buffalo, Maryland, Indiana and Illinois. Those can and should be (they better be) wins. Prediction: 7-5.

Big Ten Championship Game: Not even Zach Smith can slow down Ohio State. Buckeyes win this over Wisconsin again.

Zach Miller, digital producer

The Scarlet Knights will start strong, winning five out of their first six games, but a backloaded schedule ending with Wisconsin, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State will keep them out of a bowl game. A road game at Maryland in mid-October could be the difference between whether or not Rutgers makes the postseason. Prediction: 5-7

Big Ten Championship Game: Wisconsin, with an experienced team led by Heisman-caliber running back Jonathan Taylor, will roll through the Big Ten West for the third year in a row. Penn State, with a high-powered offense led by Heisman-caliber quarterback Trace McSorely, will benefit from playing most of its big games at home to win the loaded East. In a rematch of the 2016 Big Ten Championship Game, Penn State wins 35-31.

Dave Rivera, Bergen Record sports editor

In his time at Rutgers, head coach Chris Ash has yet to find the answer at the most important position on the field – quarterback. Ash hopes that will all change this year as he hands the job over to true freshman Art Sitkowski. Consider this a gamble for a coach, who, entering his third season, should be showing progress with this program. Sitkowski can be a playmaker, but you have to factor in some mistakes he’ll make as a first-year starter.

Ash will look to his defense to try keep the Scarlet Knights close with their competition, which in the Big Ten, will be a daunting challenge. They’ll be 1-1 after the Texas State and Ohio State games, so a key game could be the Sept. 15 matchup at Kansas. A victory there could get the Scarlet Knights going in the right direction. Prediction: 4-8

Big Ten Championship Game: Penn State 27, Wisconsin 24

Staff Writer Josh Newman: jnewman@app.com; @Joshua_Newman