Jhop's Power Ranking of Big Ten Football - Post Spring

Well we are in the ‘offseason’ for college football. At least for a couple of months. So as you can see the sites are filled with schedule rankings, head coach rankings, position rankings, power rankings. Just to name a few.

I figured I’d throw my hat in the ring as well. I see a lot of really bad lists and frankly I think I can do better. So here goes.

With Spring in the window and the transfer portal window mostly closed, here goes my power rankings of the B1G.

1. Ohio State – Have to kick things off with the Buckeyes. They are really, really good and this might be Ryan Day’s year. Michigan will be down, more than people think, and he loaded up the roster. Right now it’s everyone chasing Ohio State.
2. Oregon – It is razor thin between these two for me. Easily the two best rosters, top-to-bottom, excellent coaching staffs and both are projected at 10.5 win totals. An early playoff game looks likely on October 12 in Eugene.
3. Penn State – I don’t love Penn State and frankly I think there is a substantial drop off after the first two. I also think 3-7 could go in almost any order but I’ll give Penn State the nod because of its continuity and quarterback situation.
4. Michigan – Again, don’t love Michigan following the departure of Jim Harbaugh and J.J. McCarthy. I think they’ll be a good team that you can’t overlook. But they won’t be anywhere near what they were last season.
5. Nebraska – Still not quite enough talent but it’s getting better. I think Matt Rhule will surprise some folks this season with a pesky Huskers squad that sees some luck go its way and up its win total.
6. Rutgers – Don’t sleep on Rutgers. Don’t do it. They will be a tough game this season for nearly everyone ranked after No. 2.
7. USC – At some point you have to assume USC will win games. The defense will be better but there really is no chance it could be worse. Replacing Caleb Williams with Miller Moss is a downgrade regardless of what you think of Caleb Williams. Lots of shootouts coming this season.
8. Wisconsin – I think Luke Fickell will have Wisconsin playing better this season. The only thing that really hurts them is a very tough schedule. But they’ll be better.
9. Iowa – This is where you just start putting teams to fill out the list. I think Iowa to No. 14 (Maryland) is basically a crap shoot. They’ll bore teams to death to some wins.
10. Washington – Jedd Fisch inherits a very porous roster and huge question marks on offense replacing two first-rounders. It’s going to be a long (er) season for Husky fans.
11. Michigan State – Jonathan Smith needs more talent. But he’s proven he can win with less. Hopefully he gets enough time to get some pieces in place. He’ll win if Michigan State stays patient.
12. Northwestern – A surprise last year looking to build on that. They will need solid quarterback play to compete, that’s the question right now.
13. Illinois – Schedule-wise they have Oregon, Michigan and Penn State. If they can somehow win any one of those three games they’ll be higher on this list. The schedule isn’t too bad for the Fighting Illini.
14. Maryland – I secretly hope Maryland is good this year and bumps Washington down the list. I think they could but they will also lose a game or two they shouldn’t.
15. Purdue – Lost some of its top players to the transfer portal and didn’t recruit replacements. Notre Dame, Oregon and Ohio State all on the schedule.
16. Minnesota – My how the PJ Fleck star has faded. Really tough roster management has Minny in trouble headed into this season.
17. UCLA – Long season on deck. Will be interesting to see how Deshaun Foster handles being a first-year head coach with very little talent.
18. Indiana – Longer season on deck.