Fourth of July is over, and conference media days are right around the corner. Which means football can't be far behind. While we wait, we're taking a look at the reasons why each league team will or won't reach a specific goal in 2016.

Next up is Rutgers. Coming off a fairly miserable 4-8 season, the Scarlet Knights will look to get back to the postseason under first-year coach Chris Ash. Can they make it happen?

Why Rutgers will make a bowl game in 2016:

A fresh start: The Scarlet Knights won four games last year despite off-the-field controversies involving player arrests, their then head coach earning an in-season suspension for meddling in academic affairs, the loss of star defensive tackle Darius Hamilton to a knee injury and the continued error-prone leadership of former athletic director Julie Hermann. The school wisely cleaned house in the offseason, bringing in Ash and new AD Patrick Hobbs. How much an administration change will affect the on-field product is up for debate, but at least the team can concentrate on football and not other distractions this fall. And so far, the players and coaches seem to be having fun.

A better defense: Ash has a strong track record of turning around defenses quickly. He was brought in to fix Ohio State's pass defense after the 2013 season, and the Buckeyes promptly won the national title. Rutgers allowed 34.9 points and 462 yards per game while having one of the nation's worst pass defenses again (nine yards allowed per pass attempt). But Ash has some young, long cornerbacks to work with in sophomores Blessuan Austin and Isaiah Wharton, both of whom are 6-foot-1. And Hamilton's return should solidify things up front.

New Rutgers coach Chris Ash's toughest task may be improving a pass defense that finished last season ranked 118th in the country. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

Why Rutgers won't make a bowl game in 2016:

The schedule: Three of Rutgers' four wins in 2015 came against FCS Norfolk State, Kansas and Army. This season, there will only be three nonconference games; they include the difficult opener at Washington and a potentially tricky home game against high-scoring New Mexico. Then there is the brutal East Division road, plus crossovers against defending West champ Iowa and a road trip to Minnesota. There are no guaranteed wins on the schedule other than Howard. Getting to six victories is going to require some incredible work by Ash & Co.

Do the pieces on offense fit? Ash wants to run an Ohio State-style offense with former Tom Herman protege Drew Mehringer calling the plays. But one of the features of that attack is a dual-threat quarterback, and Rutgers' two experienced quarterbacks -- Chris Laviano and Hayden Rettig -- aren't exactly dynamic rushing threats. There are lots of solid running backs on the roster but none who has broken out as a real star yet. Receiver is also a question after Leonte Carroo moved on to the NFL. The Scarlet Knights are hoping electric return man Janarion Grant can become more of a factor on offense, but that remains to be seen. Will a Buckeyes-light offense work without Ohio State-level talent?