RUTGERS is back in the Top 25. The offense has shown balance. The defense has been more than adequate. And if Cincinnati and Pitt didn’t prove to be Top 10 teams, the Scarlet Knights might have even loftier goals right now.
As it is, Rutgers (7-2) must focus on these: Finish 10-2, maintain or improve that ranking (25), and get to the best possible bowl.
We think they can do all of that. And we think so, because of what they’ve done away from Piscataway this season. As convincing as the 31-0 win over South Florida was last week, it was really the first home statement of the year. What has impressed us — schedule notwithstanding — is a 3-0 mark on the road, with an average margin of victory of 14 points.
“Any time you do something, and you have success, and you do it well, it is natural that you have confidence that you can do it again,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. “One of the things that our kids do a very good job of, is they are very business-like with these road trips. It is not silly-willy time. We are going to get a job done.”
We think that continues Saturday at Syracuse (3-7). The Orange had some early-season spunk in their step, certainly, but have dropped five out of six. Four of those losses were by double digits.
That’s enough for us. Rutgers (-9) is the pick.
TOMORROW
Boise State (-23) over UTAH STATE: Critics will point to the Broncos’ close call at Louisiana Tech two weeks ago, but Boise State dominated that game statistically, and the Aggies don’t have much juice left. What’s more, the Broncos still must adhere to the “Impress the BCS” campaign anyway.
SATURDAY
BOSTON COLLEGE (-3 1⁄2) over North Carolina: Might be a little cold for the Tar Heels, and we expect them to be a tad hung over anyhow, after upsetting Miami. We’ll stick with the Eagles in their comfortable surroundings.
Ohio State (-12) over MICHIGAN: We know there’s a little love for the home team, what with the Buckeyes having nothing to play for. But we disagree. Ohio State always wants to beat Michigan, and if they have the horses to throttle them, they should throttle them.
CLEMSON (-20 1⁄2) over Virginia: The Tigers’ tear is far too impressive to see them let up against Al Groh and Co. here. More on this game here.
IOWA (-10) over Minnesota: Hoping for a Hawkeyes’ bounceback, after the most impressive “loss” of the season last week in Columbus. We put Iowa in the same class as Penn State and Ohio State, and those two teams combined to beat Minnesota, 58-7.
FLORIDA (-45) over Florida International: Tough one to handicap here, as the Gators will play plenty of backups. But history shows Florida usually dismantles teams of this nature. This year alone, it beat Charleston Southern by 59, and Troy by 50.
WYOMING (+31 1⁄2) over Tcu: We’ll take a flyer on the Cowboys, who already have covered at home against Texas this season. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and it will snow on the Frogs’ parade.
UConn (+6) over NOTRE DAME: The Irish will regroup soon, and it may be this weekend. But anyone who has watched the Huskies this year knows they will play hard until the final second, and may just grab a win here.
Louisiana State (+4) over OLE MISS: Typical public line here, as the Rebels dismantled Tennessee last week, and the Bayou Bengals struggled at home vs. Louisiana Tech. We’ll take the better athletes, and the better defense in what should be an SEC nail-biter.
Penn State (-3) over MICHIGAN STATE: It took us a while to figure out these Nittany Lions, but perhaps it’s not too late. Fade them at home, ride them on the road. Away from Happy Valley, Penn State is 3-0 with an average margin of victory at an alarming 22.
NORTHWESTERN (+7) over Wisconsin: Possible letdown spot for the Wildcats after two impressive road upsets. But the home team has plenty of fire, it’s senior day, and the defense has allowed just 26 points the last two weeks.
Oregon (-6) over ARIZONA: A little leery of the Ducks away from Eugene — please see the 51-42 loss at Stanford — but we cannot trust the Wildcats here. They could not close vs. the likes of Cal or Washington, and the Ducks are far superior to those two.
TEXAS (-27 1⁄2) over Kansas: Another danger zone, but the drive to get Colt McCoy the Heisman Trophy wins out here. Plus, that defense is pretty good, too.
Cal (+7) over STANFORD: Didn’t we just knock Cal, you say? We did, but this is a huge rivalry, and if there is one team in this nation due for a letdown, or even a close game, it’s the Cardinal.
OFF THE GRID
SOUTH FLORIDA (-11½) over Louisville: The Bulls usually bounce back at home, and the Cardinals — not to mention USF’s 31-0 loss to Rutgers still fresh in their minds — should do the trick here.
MIAMI (-19½) over Duke: We haven’t bought the Blue Devils’ resurgence all season. We’re not going to start now. Miami can put it all together — for a change — at home.
RECORDS
A bittersweet week as we had a perfect slate in Best Bets, but our first losing card of the year Off The Grid. Good luck this weekend.
Last week: 9-8-1 Overall; 3-0 Best Bets; 1-2 Off The Grid.
Season: 90-102-2 Overall; 14-19 Best Bets; 18-12 Off The Grid.
tsullivan@nypost.com