PISCATAWAY -- It bears repeating: Rutgers could've been opening the season against Syracuse.
But former coach Kyle Flood axed the idea because of possible local recruiting fallout, choosing instead to schedule Washington. That decision blew up in Rutgers' face because Washington quickly developed into a College Football Playoff hopeful and Flood is no longer here.
So instead of a season-opening barometer against Syracuse -- which is looking to improve on a 4-8 record under second-year coach Dino Babers -- Rutgers is a four-touchdown underdog at home to start coach Chris Ash's second season.