The Big Ten’s latest playoff idea would push the College Football Playoff toward as many as 28 teams, with seven automatic bids each for the Big Ten and SEC and additional bids for other leagues. The proposal even hints at unranked teams entering the mix, a move critics say would devalue the regular season and undermine credibility. Tony Petitti’s offseason appetite for bold formats has drawn sharp scrutiny, including past attempts at a 16-team plan. The SEC and ACC coaches currently favor a more measured expansion, with discussions centered on a 5+11 model and a continued reliance on at-large bids. Even if a compromise emerges, alignment among major conferences remains elusive, leaving the current 12-team format as a reference point. The debate spotlights not just postseason structure, but which teams and programs benefit most when the playoff field grows—and how much momentum a top program should lose to a broader invitation.

Rutgers reloads via the transfer portal with a program-record 19 additions, sharpening the defense and upgrading the offensive line. Five new linemen join four returning starters as Hollin Pierce exits, aiming to bolster a ground game that ranked near the middle of the Big Ten. Kaliakmanis is back at quarterback after a 2,000+ yard passing season, with Ian Strong and KJ Duff returning as top targets. The backfield gets a mix of C.J. Campbell Jr. and Antwan Raymond after Monangai’s departure, while the kicking game is steadied by Jai Patel’s steady accuracy.

Defensively, Rutgers adds Eric O’Neill and Bradley Weaver on the line and at corner, with Cam Miller possibly fueling a disruptive unit after a mass graduation of tacklers. Dariel Djabome is the lone full-time returner on defense, setting the stage for a quicker, more adaptable defense on third downs. On the schedule, Rutgers will face several ranked foes—No. 2 Penn State, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 12 Illinois, and No. 7 Oregon—while portraying a bid to end a long drought against ranked programs, starting with a season opener against Ohio and a final stretch against tough Big Ten foes.

Minnesota’s 2025 season looms as a recruiting crossroads, with Kylan Bobo set to visit Minneapolis for the Gophers’ Big Ten opener against Rutgers. Bobo, a 5-11, 200-pound Tupelo tailback, arrived on the Gophers’ radar in June and already holds three Power Four offers (Minnesota, Arkansas, Ole Miss). He’ll be joined on the visit by Sam Dostal, Creighton Prep’s standout tight end, signaling Minnesota’s intent to strengthen both the run game and the tight end rank. The Gophers’ recruiting footprint expands beyond 2025, as two 2027 pledges—Mater Dei quarterback Furian Inferrera and Wayzata defensive end Eli Diane—are already on board. The landscape around Minnesota features Massey Ratings pegging Mississippi as a top-tier state program and the Gophers are navigating a wave of preseason chatter, including Koi Perich’s AP Preseason Second-Team All-American watch and growing chatter around names like Kai Meza and Le’Me Brockington. As the program maps its path, Oregon and Rutgers loom as early-season benchmarks while ESPN’s SP+ signal suggests the Gophers’ ceiling could hinge on a blend of youth development and smart transfer dynamics.

Rutgers heads into 2025 with a hopeful spotlight on Ian Strong as a potential breakout in his third season, framed by a schedule wallpaper release that doubles as hype for the Knights’ year. The desktop and mobile wallpapers showcase the full slate, signaling a season where Strong could command more targets if the offense or QB play stabilizes and the pass game gains rhythm. The Knight Report’s move to On3 brings broader coverage and insider scoops, while offering a slick value deal that includes a year of The Athletic and premium training-camp intel—perfect for fantasy players chasing sleepers and weekly matchup cues.

Beyond the wallpaper, the On3 merge sweetens access to Rutgers content, with roundtable chatter, scrimmage recaps, and coach quotes fueling anticipation for who steps up as reliable fantasy options. Fantasy managers should track emerging names, depth-chart shifts, and injury news as Rutgers readies for a pivotal 2025 slate and a season that could redefine the Knights’ offensive pecking order.