Athlon Sports releases spring 2022 Big Ten football power rankings

Michigan football has its hands full if it is to repeat as a Big Ten Champion during the 2022 season. However, work is underway in the spring to get back and stay on top of the standings.

Athlon Sports recently released its spring power rankings for the Big Ten, where Michigan came in at No. 2 despite its 2021 success. Below is the full list according to Athlon with our take for each.

1. Ohio State

Our take: Despite losses to Oregon and Michigan last season, the Buckeyes still enter the season as one of the chief threats to win the conference. They can claim that the 2021 season was a fluke until it happens again. CJ Stroud and a bevy of wide receivers will lead a high-octane attack, but this team needs to get tougher in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

2. Michigan

Our take: The offense is going to have to carry more of the load this year after a balanced attack in 2021. Michigan loses 25 sacks off of its defense in Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo without any logical replacements on the roster. However, the schedule sets up nicely for them to have a chance to repeat as conference champs. Here is to hoping a trip to the Big Ten title game is once again on the line when playing the Buckeyes.

3. Michigan State

Our take: Mel Tucker has overperformed expectations in his first two seasons on the job and parlayed it into a mega extension. The Spartans will no longer sneak up on anyone and have to replace one of the best players in college football in running back Kenneth Walker. Tucker will continue to mine the transfer portal, but we will see if they can replicate the formula in 2022.

4. Wisconsin

Our take: This feels high for a Wisconsin program that has lost its elite running mentality and replaces nine starters on defense. The Badgers are always a threat to come out of the West and maybe this can serve as a bounceback year for them.

5. Iowa

Iowa has a sour taste in its mouth after getting trucked by Michigan in the Big Ten title game. It does not feel like this team has the quarterback play to win the West and it has to replace its best player in Tyler Linderbaum. They always seem to find a way to be a factor, though.

6. Penn State

Our take: If Penn State can find a way to get back to running the football, it might be a dark horse of sorts in the Big Ten East. However, James Franklin is 11-11 in his last 22 games and just got a massive contract extension. There is no excuse for them not to be better, and the date on his aptitude vs. Jim Harbaugh’s probably needs to come to an end.

7. Minnesota

Our take: Athlon has the Gophers in the middle of the pack in the West and that feels about right for them. Their passing game has not been the same since Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman left and it is an area they need to be developed in the worst way to be a legit threat.

8. Purdue

Our take: If Purdue can find a way to get more out of the run game, they have a shot to make some noise in the Big Ten West this season. Aidan O’Connell is one of the conference’s most productive quarterbacks and we know they are going to throw a ton. Replacing David Bell at wide receiver is the chief concern.

9. Nebraska

Our take: Nebraska was a painful 1-7 in conference play in 2021 despite being in nearly every game. Scott Frost’s rebooted coaching staff feels like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, but they are going to give this another shot to see if he can right the ship.

10. Maryland

Our take: On paper, this should be one of the better offenses in the conference and a team ready to make a push. Unfortunately for them, Mike Locksley does not have a track record of helping such seasons. Maryland has to show us it needs to be taken seriously.

11. Illinois

Our take: Athlon is higher on the Illini than anyone. With a quarterback battle looming, no true threats at wide receiver and only two starters returning up front on offense, it would not be a surprise if they are the worst team in the conference.

12. Rutgers

Our take: The Greg Schiano 2.0 rebuild rolls into its third season with Rutgers still near the bottom of the conference. The Scarlet Knights only had 4.4 yards per play offensively. They gave up 6.5 yards per play on defense in Big Ten games last year. That has to improve drastically for them to get out of the conference basement.

13. Indiana

Our take: It is way premature to come to sweeping conclusions, but it does feel like Indiana’s mini-run under Tom Allen may have been short-lived. The Hoosiers crashed in a big way last season and would be lucky to push for a bowl bid in 2022. Things can change quickly in this sport.

14. Northwestern

Our take: Northwestern was putrid last season, but Pat Fitzgerald never lets his teams stagnate two years in a row. There is not a ton on paper to like on either side of the ball, but a betting person would pick them to improve.