Big Ten: Michigan Sits Atop Final Power Rankings
As the Big Ten regular football season is officially over, we deserve one last top-five power ranking in the conference. This list is generated from head-to-head matchups, stats, eye-test, and records. Let’s go in and rank the top five teams in the Big Ten one last time. Here we go.
5. Minnesota
The Golden Gophers solidified themselves in the top five with a win versus Wisconsin in week 13. Minnesota finished with a record of 8-4 in large part as a result of the dominant defense they played all year. Minnesota gave up 18.2 points per game ranking 12th in the country. The defense gave up only 100.3-rushing yards a game and 184.7-yards through the air per game. Minnesota lost two games they shouldn’t have. They lost in upset fashion both to Bowling Green and Illinois. Regardless, they were solid all year and they improved as the season went on.
4. Iowa
Coming in at number four is Iowa as they beat Minnesota and they have a record of 10-2. Iowa’s strength is their defense, they muddy up games and control the time of possession. The defense ranks 9th in the country when it comes to points per game, and they lead the conference in interceptions with 22 so they are generating turnovers. The Hawkeyes don’t blow teams out, but they were able to start the year of 6-0. After suffering a two-game losing streak mid-season, the Hawkeyes re-grouped and finished the year strong with wins against Minnesota and Nebraska.
3. Michigan State
The Spartans responded in 2021 as head coach Mel Tucker had his offense clicking all year. Michigan State scored 50 touchdowns in 2021 ranking third in the conference. The offense for the Spartans was balanced but it was led by running back Kenneth Walker III who has 1,646-rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. The Spartans struggled in the secondary as they gave up 338-yards per game. This team was very solid all year as they beat Michigan and multiple substantial Big Ten teams, ultimately their loss to Ohio State keeps them at number three in the rankings.
2. Ohio State
Ohio State has all the statistics to be ranked number one, but they lost to Michigan in the final game of the season. Ohio State led the conference in most statistics offensively, they had 70 touchdowns, 546 points, and they led the nation in points per game with 45.5 points. Ultimately, the Buckeyes got pushed around by more physical teams this year, the defense gave up 20.6 points per game and the seventh most points in the conference with 251 points to opponents.
1. Michigan
The Wolverines were the most consistent team in the Big Ten this entire year. They had one away loss to Michigan State in a game that was close. Michigan is balanced on both sides of the football. The offense was ranked second-best in the conference with 37.3 points per game and the defense only gave up 17.2 points per game which ranks 8th in the nation. The Wolverines finally beat Ohio State showing everyone in the nation that they are a real football team.
References: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/
Writer
-By: Justin Howard