Iowa football look ahead: Rutgers, man

Rutgers, man.

It's not financially equipped to be in the Big Ten. The school spent more than it brought in on sports in 2017, leaving a $2.3 million operating deficit, per NJ.com. The kicker is this: Rutgers athletics received $21.32 million in direct institutional support from the school and another $11.77 million in student fees, also according to NJ.com.

One of the nation's most heavily subsidized athletic programs competes in the same division with Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. And Michigan State (why not, let's throw the Spartans in there).

Of course, there's a facilities deficit. The combined winning percentage of all Rutgers teams in the Big Ten since 2014-15 is .260 (177-514-13 record).

There is a deeply detailed post on Rutgers athletics' finances here from NJ.com. The Big Ten advanced the school on its future conference payouts. This, of course, puts a dent in Rutgers' future conference payouts, and Rutgers won't receive a full financial share from the Big Ten until 2027.

Rutgers, man.

Rutgers coach

The Scarlet Knights head coach is Chris Ash. In case you don't know by now, he's from Ottumwa, went to Drake, coached at Iowa State.

He's in charge of the football, and that's not a pretty ledger, either.

Rutgers skill players

Rutgers will have a QB. All teams do. Maybe just don't quite ask who it might be. Ash was non-committal on the topic coming out of spring.

Door No. 1 is Artur Sitkowski. He started as a true freshman last season. For Rutgers. It went like you'd think. Sitkowski threw four TD passes and 18 interceptions. Against Maryland, he went 2 of 16 for 8 yards with four picks. That's a pass efficiency rating of 12.5.