Rutgers lost their first game of the season last weekend, 20-13 against Michigan.

But the one-touchdown loss to the No 14 Wolverines — at the Big House in Ann Arbor — demonstrated that the 3-1 Scarlet Knights are “better than when you hear Rutgers,” according to ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit — and he attributes that to Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano.

“They’re better than that,” said Herbstreit. “Schiano, another coach who is doing really good work. And to think Tennessee kicked him out of the door before they could’ve had him is crazy.”

Herbstreit’s statement is a jab at the Vols, who in a widely publicized situation, were about to sign Schiano to replace outgoing coach Butch Jones when a negative reaction by fans led to the two sides parting ways.

Schiano’s return to Rutgers has brought the program back to the winning ways it was when he left after his first, 10-year stint, that ended in 2011. The Scarlet Knights won 11 games in 2006 and finished in the top 15. They followed with two more nine- and eight-win seasons under Schiano before he left for the NFL in 2011.

The Scarlet Knights are 3-1 heading into Week 5 and will host No. 11 Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 2:30PM.