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Rutgers fans could start preparing to spend Christmas on the road.
The postseason picture did not change much for the Scarlet Knights after their gut-wrenching loss to No. 24 Illinois on Saturday, according to latest projections. If anything, their destination was seemingly solidified the moment that star Illini receiver Pat Bryant broke the plane on a stunning last-second touchdown in the 38-31 marathon in Piscataway.
Most predictions point to the same bowl game as last week for Rutgers: the Rate Bowl in Phoenix on Dec. 26. It would be a full-circle moment for the Scarlet Knights, who played in the same bowl game — then named the Insight Bowl — in 2005, the cherry on top of a breakthrough season in Greg Schiano’s first stint as head coach.
But if that is where Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) lands, it will be a bitter disappointment considering where it could have gone. A representative from the Citrus Bowl was on hand at SHI Stadium and seemed poised to pound his fist on the table for the Scarlet Knights to be considered had they upset the Illini. And even if they fell short, with a potential eighth win waiting in East Lansing next weekend, they would have a chance to make a strong case against blue-bloods Nebraska and Michigan for a spot in the Duke’s Mayo or Music City bowls.
Instead, barring a major miscalculation from the prognosticators we have followed all season, Rutgers will be playing in a familiar bowl game the day after Christmas.
Here is where the Scarlet Knights landed in bowl projections after Week 13 action:
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: Rate Bowl vs. TCU.
When and where: Thursday, Dec. 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: Rate Bowl vs. Kansas State.
When and where: Thursday, Dec. 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Action Network’s Brett McMurphy: Rate Bowl vs. Texas Tech
When and where: Thursday, Dec. 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
247Sports: Rate Bowl vs. Kansas.
When and where: Thursday, Dec. 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Athlon Sports: Rate Bowl vs. TCU.
When and where: Thursday, Dec. 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
CBS Sports: Boca Raton Bowl vs. UConn
When and Where: Wednesday, Dec. 28 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida.
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Brian Fonseca may be reached at [email protected].