Athlon Sports projects Big Ten's order of finish in 2023

Athlon Sports projected the Big Ten Conference order of finish for the 2023 season and there’s some familiarity after the last two years.

Michigan and Ohio State are the favorites this year, but just happen to be in the same division of course. That’ll change in 2024 with the addition of USC and UCLA.

But nonetheless, the East is stacked while the West will be wild once again with a more even playing field.

Big Ten projected order of finish, per Athlon Sports

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Championship: Michigan over Wisconsin

EAST

1. Michigan (12-1, 8-1)
2. Ohio State (11-1, 8-1)
3. Penn State (10-2, 7-2)
4. Maryland (7-5, 4-5)
5. Michigan State (6-6, 4-5)
6. Rutgers (5-7, 3-6)
7. Indiana (4-8, 2-7)

WEST

1. Wisconsin (9-4, 6-3)
2. Iowa (8-4, 5-4)
3. Minnesota (7-5, 5-4)
4. Illinois (6-6, 4-5)
5. Nebraska (6-6, 3-6)
6. Purdue (5-7, 3-6)
7. Northwestern (3-9, 1-8)

The East division is where it’s loaded. Michigan is the projected winner once again, over Ohio State. Penn State, despite 10 wins, will finish third in the division but that won’t rule out a New Year’s Six Bowl Game.

Outside of the top three, it gets a little dicey. Maryland, while improved under Mike Locksley, will finish a solid 7-5 and get back to the postseason.

Michigan State meanwhile, is now two years removed from a breakout season under Mel Tucker. Will 6-6 be enough to eliminate heat on Tucker despite him signing a decade-long deal?

Rutgers and Indiana will fight to get out of the basement in the East, but some improvement for both after 2022. Rutgers could be one bounce of the ball from a bowl game based on Athlon’s projection.

In the West, it’s random once again. With Luke Fickell now at the helm of Wisconsin, the Badgers are projected to get back to the Big Ten Championship Game. 9-4 seems reasonable for his first year, but it could definitely be good enough to win the division.

Iowa and Minnesota seem to be the other candidates to win the division, but it’ll be average to good seasons once again.

Illinois will get back to the postseason after showing some improvements of the course of Bret Bielema’s tenure.

Nebraska getting back to a bowl game for the first time since 2016 will be a landmark day and a great first step for new coach Matt Rhule.

Purdue will take a step back and miss out on a bowl game while Northwestern will struggle again.

The Big Ten will be a fascinating watch once again before the big change next year.