The Rutgers football program suffered one of its most disappointing seasons in 2010 and wants to begin turning things around Wednesday, national letter of intent signing day. The Scarlet Knights (4-8, 1-6) finished last in the Big East Conference standings for the first time since 2002 and compiled their first losing season since 2004. For almost six seasons, head coach Greg Schiano had turned Rutgers into New York's college football program. Schiano did an outstanding job of out-recruiting Syracuse University in the Empire State and across the country.
However, as the 2010 season ended it seemed like SU and its second-year head coach Doug Marrone had put a strangle hold on the hometown advantage after beating Rutgers during the regular season and earning a win in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, Dec. 30, at Yankee Stadium. Unfortunately for Rutgers, which failed to qualify for a bowl game, it had to sit around and watch SU turn the N.Y.-recruiting tides.
The Scarlet Knights still have strong ties to N.Y., New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Hopefully, as signing day goes along, those strong ties keep Rutgers from falling even further behind in the Big East. SB Nation New York will have all the updates on the new recruits coming in and a recap of Schiano's Nation Signing Day news conference (SNY at 3:30 p.m.).