Star-Ledger PhotoRutgers linebackers #17 Damaso Munoz and #50 Antonio Lowery study before practice.

The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings are out, and while many will argue with their methodology, they seem to indicate that being strong in football and academics is possible.

Chris Gardner/US Presswire Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Pat Williams chases down Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice during the first half of their preseason game in Baltimore Saturday.

Chris Gardner/US PresswireBaltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco stands in the pocket as he looks for a receiver against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of their preseason game in Baltimore Saturday.

On Rice, The Sun reports:

The only bright spot for the Ravens' offense was Rice, who ran for 77 yards and a touchdown.

With Willis McGahee out after having arthroscopic knee surgery, Rice took advantage of the start and some powerful blocking by his line. Bouncing to the outside time after time, the second-round pick out of Rutgers hit gaping holes against last season's top-ranked run defense in the NFL.

Sports Illustrated's preseason college rankings are online and Rutgers is No. 33. Cincinnati (27), South Florida (21), Pittsburgh (19) and West Virginia (14) are the Big East schools ranked ahead of Rutgers. Opening day opponent Fresno State is ranked No. 28 by SI.com.

St. Louis Rams running back Stephen Jackson's holdout is nearing the two-week mark with little or no progress being made, the Associated Press reports today.

That leaves second-year fullback Brian Leonard out of Rutgers and second-year backup running back Antonio Pittman getting the majority of work in the running game in camp.

Leonard, drafted in the second round by the Rams in the 2007 Draft, rushed for 303 yards on 86 carries in his rookie season. He is listed as the No. 1 fullback on the Rams' depth chart.

Pittman, a waiver pickup for the Rams last September after being drafted in the fourth round of the '07 Draft by the Saints, ran for 139 yard on 38 carries.

Terrance Taylor, a 6-0, 175-pound safety from Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll in Miami, has made a verbal commitment to attend Rutgers as part of the recruiting class of 2009, the Miami Herald reported Wednesday night.

According to the Miami Herald, Taylor has other scholarship offers from the University of Central Florida, South Florida and Florida International.

Taylor, who has been timed at 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash and has a 31-inch vertical leap according to Scout.com, helped the Bulldogs advance to the Class 2A state semifinals last season.

Sports Illustrated writer Stewart Mandel released a short list of sleepers and busts for the upcoming football season. As part of his college football mailbag column, Mandel ranked Rutgers number one on the list of Three That Could End Up In The Top 15.

ESPN.com bloggers rate how hated each college football team is in each conference and Tuesday was Big East Hate Meter Day. Blogger Mark Schlabach rated West Virginia the most hated team and Rutgers No. 2, saying:

How can fans not hate a team from Piscataway, N.J.?