CBS Sports releases Big Ten head coach rankings ahead of 2023 college football season

CBS Sports released its 2023 Big Ten coach rankings ahead of the upcoming season and there seems to be quite the gap between the top five and the rest of the field.

It should come as no surprise that Jim Harbaugh and Ryan Day are at the top. Michigan and Ohio State are far and away the best two teams in the conference.

But don’t count out some others, particularly the next two in the top five. Below are the 2023 preseason coaching rankings from CBS Sports.

1. Jim Harbaugh – Michigan

Harbaugh is the class of the conference at the moment. That’s two straight Big Ten titles and College Football Playoff appearances.

Maybe more importantly for Harbaugh, it’s two straight wins over Ohio State. Will it be three for, well, all three?

2. Ryan Day – Ohio State

Other than two losses to Michigan and a national championship loss a few years ago, Day’s been nearly flawless with what was presented to Ohio State over the last few years. But, the pressure is on to get back to the top of the conference.

But if the Buckeyes make the CFP even without a conference title, the all important national title is still in play.

3. Luke Fickell – Wisconsin

The former Cincinnati coach returned to the Big Ten and was ranked quite high by CBS Sports. He’s proven he could build a program, leading the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff.

With more resources and a Power Five conference behind him now, Fickell could really excel here. But the high ranking suggests he needs to win early.

4. James Franklin – Penn State

Franklin actually won a Big Ten title back in 2016 but seven years is a long time. This could be his most talented team yet as the page turned to 2023 however.

The Nittany Lions have young and potential superstar talent at quarterback and running back. But can they even conquer their own division? Franklin won 11 games last year without beating the top two.

5. Bret Bielema – Illinois

Here’s where there could be more debate in the coaching rankings. Bielema has been quite good since taking over the Fighting Illini.

But this just goes to show where the gap is between the top four and the rest. Maybe Bielema deserves his No. 5 spot based on his rebuilding job, but there has to be more if he wants to climb the list.

6. PJ Fleck – Minnesota
7. Matt Rhule – Nebraska
8. Kirk Ferentz – Iowa
9. Pat Fitzgerald – Northwestern
10. Mel Tucker – Michigan State
11. Mike Locksley – Maryland
12. Greg Schiano – Rutgers
13. Tom Allen – Indiana
14. Ryan Walters – Purdue

The rest of the list features a lot of returning coaches to the conference, sans Rhule. Rhule could certainly impress right away if he finally gets Nebraska back on track following the Scott Frost era. Walters is the only new guy in town after Jeff Brohm left for Louisville.

The other eye-opener here is Fitzgerald, whose future is murky to say the least, after alleged hazing scandals within the program.