The Knights Watchman

Interesting article today from Keith Sargeant from mycentraljersey.com in which he quotes the president of Michigan State University who recently proclaimed that academics will play significant role in determining who the Big Ten asks to join the soon-to-be expanded league. Alongside Northwestern, the addition of Rutgers to the Big Ten would substantially bolster the academic standing of the league. It's the equivalent of what the Pac-10 has with the University of California and Stanford in the same league. Aside from the size of the stadium and the relative lack of historic success of the program, I can't see why the Big Ten wouldn't offer Rutgers. There are too many factors in the state university's favor.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that it will be announced tomorrow afternoon that the Rutgers Football program has earned the No. 1 ranking in APR, or the Academic Progress Report. It's the third consecutive year that the Scarlet Knights gridders have been ranked in the top 10, and a feather in the cap of Coach Schiano. I can't help but think that this will only help retain the top recruits that look for a school for both football and academics--the type of kids who when I was in high school tended to head to Boston College, Notre Dame, and other schools. Congratulations to the coach, players (both current and former), and the academic support staff that has undoubtedly worked hard fro this achievement.