CFB Early Conference Standings Predictions: Big Ten

Part three of my springtime conference predictions. Next up: the Big Ten. Let’s get into it.

Big Ten East

1. Ohio State

The easiest pick in the conference, the Buckeyes return a stacked roster chocked full of more blue-chip talent than the rest of the conference combined. While Justin Fields leaves, the Buckeyes return the entire WR core, a strong offensive line, and an inconsistent defense that can turn it on at any time. Book the Buckeyes into the Big Ten Championship game and a ninth-straight win over Michigan.

2. Indiana

The Hoosiers have a real chance to be the second-best team in the Big Ten again while also being stuck in the same division as OSU. Michael Penix is coming off a scary knee injury and will need to be healthy for this pick to hold up. He’s not the only notable member returning, along with WR Ty Fryfogle, most of the stout defense from last year, AND the luxury of hosting Ohio State in Bloomington. Let’s see what Tom Allen can cook up in 2021.

3. Penn State

This is a top-25 caliber roster, and it was puzzling to see the Nittany Lions struggle so much in 2020, although PSU did rebound with four straight wins after an 0-5 start. Their depth in the RB room and at receiver with Jahan Dotson. PSU will need to get more consistency under center from Sean Clifford after Will Levis transferred out earlier in the year. Fourteen turnovers from the Penn State quarterbacks in 2020, that’s too much. Look for a bounce-back 2021.

4. Michigan

Harbaugh continues to recruit, pulling in another top-ten class in 2021, but will he turn it into wins. Shockingly, more quarterback troubles plagued the Wolverines in 2020. Joe Milton struggled and transferred out. The Maize and Blue add Texas Tech Transfer Alan Bowman and blue-chip recruit JJ McCarthy. Maybe, just maybe Harbaugh and Co. will find some consistency at the position this year, especially with a bevy of receivers and running backs return. The defense needs to improve after struggling mightily in 2020, and will do it without now-Arizona DC Don Brown.

5. Michigan State

Mel Tucker’s first season at Michigan State looked a lot like his first (and only) season at Colorado…….. underwhelming. The roster just isn’t up to par with the top of the Eastern division. They lost by 42 to Iowa and 40 to Ohio State, and even managed to squeeze in a loss to Rutgers. On the plus side, they upset both Michigan and Big Ten runner-up Northwestern! As I said, an odd set of results. QB Rocky Lombardi transferred out, while Temple transfer Anthony Russo transferred in and will compete for the starting job with Payton Thorne, who won the job at the end of 2020. I’m still skeptical of Mel Tucker as a head coach, but we’ll see if this roster can take a year-two jump with a full offseason.

6. Maryland

The Terps were a fun team to watch offensively and will be curious to see how much more the roster will improve under Mike Locksley. Taulia Tagovailoa is locked into the starting quarterback role after a solid 2020. The Terps are bringing in a top-20 recruiting class led by five-star linebacker Terrance Lewis, although it was reported Monday that the prized recruit tore his ACL and is out indefinitely. The defense should remain improved under new coordinator Brian Stewart. Of course, this is an early prediction, so don’t be surprised if the Terps finish higher.

7. Rutgers

Rutgers won as many Big Ten games in 2020 as it did in the previous four seasons combined (three). The Scarlet Knights have at least that to hang on to for coach Greg Schiano’s second stint in New Jersey. There is plenty to look forward to, and a good chance that Rutgers doesn’t stay in this spot with some solid returning skill players like RB Isaih Pacheco.

Big Ten West

1. Wisconsin

After a down(ish?) 4-3 season in 2020, I’m expecting a rebound and division title for the Badgers 2021. I’m putting the Badgers in front of Iowa by way of the Graham Mertz tiebreaker. Mertz should take a bigger step forward with fewer COVID pauses and a healthier roster. Paul Cryst adds a top-15 recruiting class, including three blue-chip tackle prospects. This should be a ton of fun to watch.

2. Iowa

If the Badgers don’t win the Big Ten West, the Hawkeyes most certainly will. Six straight wins for the Hawkeyes to end 2020, and plenty of good returning pieces. Spencer Petras returns along with stud RB Tyler Goodson, C Tyler Linderbaum, and tight end Sam LaPorta. They also don’t have to play Ohio State, which is a huge plus. Add in a weak non-conference schedule outside of Iowa State (that should be a fun one) and that’s a recipe for a lot of wins.

3. Northwestern

Northwestern has a lot to reload for the 2021 season, but thanks to a weak western division, the Wildcats slide into the number three spot. Peyton Ramsey is gone, and the Wildcats will need to replace his production, and it might be South Carolina transfer Ryan Hilinski’s job to lose. Northwestern also loses three of their top four receivers and might need Kansas transfer Stephon Robinson or four-star recruit Jordan Mosley to step up. Northwestern has one of the best coaching staffs in college football with Pat Fitzgerald, and that will continue to pay virtue.

4. Minnesota

QB Tanner Morgan and RB Mohamed Ibrahim return for the 2021 season, that’s good. Rashod Bateman does not. Morgan needs a bounce back after a pretty down 2020 season (seven touchdowns and five interceptions). The roster returns 16 starters overall, and WR Chris Autman-Bell will take over the No. 1 spot from Bateman, and should complement another strong rushing attack. No matter how much production the offense produces, it will go only as far as the defense allows. The Gophers allowed nearly seven yards per play in 2020.

5. Nebraska

We have to see some progress from Scott Frost at Nebraska eventually right? Another 3-5 quality season (although three of the losses were by one score) probably won’t cut it. Some consistency out of the QB position would be a good place to start. Adrian Martinez and Luke McCaffery will compete for reps, and will have to account for the loss of WR Wan’Dale Robinson and Dedrick Mills. A recruiting class just outside of the top 20 (21st) will help, but again, some progress NEEDS to be made if I even consider moving the Cornhuskers up further in these rankings.

6. Purdue

Losing Rondale Moore hurts, but David Bell returning should be a big boost to what we expect for an underwhelming Purdue season as it stands in the spring. Jack Plummer and Aidan O’Connell return to compete for reps under center. What doesn’t look so good? Road trips to Notre Dame, Ohio State, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Yeesh.

7. Illinois

The Illini have a new coach in former Arkansas coach Brett Bielema and have plenty to figure out ahead of the 2020 season, He’ll get QB Brandon Peters back, but needs others elsewhere to improve a team that finished next-to-last in both scoring offense and scoring defense in 2020.

Writer

-By: TJ Mathewson