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/

https://bigten.org/stats.aspx?path=football&year=2021

Writer

-By: Justin Howard

In week 12 of the Big Ten, we will find out who is going to take control of the Big Ten East when Michigan State travels to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Big Ten doesn’t have many other games that have crazy implications as most of the favorites do not face each other in week 12. Let’s go through the best games in week 12 and make predictions. Here we go.

Michigan State at Ohio State

This is the best game of college football this weekend and it has a massive impact on the college football playoff. A win for both teams put them in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten East. The offenses for both teams are at the top of the conference as there will be dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball. The Buckeye’s run defense has improved greatly since the start of the season, Ohio State is only giving up 107.3-yards per game. Expect Michigan State’s running back Kenneth Walker III to be heavily involved like he has all year but the Buckeyes will be focused on Walker. I am expecting a bit of a shootout in Columbus on Saturday as both offenses are explosive. The Buckeyes will separate themselves in this game through their passing attack led by quarterback C.J. Stroud. Michigan State is giving up 329.4-yards through the air, Ohio State trio at wide receiver will have a huge game. Expect wide receivers Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba to all have great games. The Buckeyes will win this football game sending the Spartans out of contention in the Big Ten. 

Michigan State 28 Ohio State 42

Nebraska at Wisconsin

This game should be interesting as Nebraska is coming off a bye week where they have had an extra week to prepare for and hot Wisconsin team. Nebraska has had a frustrating season, they have lost a couple of games that they shouldn’t have, and they have almost upset four teams including Ohio State, Oklahoma, Michigan, and Michigan State. The Cornhuskers have another shot to take down a ranked opponent as they face the streaking Badgers. Wisconsin has figured things out late in the season and suddenly they are the favorite in the Big Ten West. I think they continue to play good football this weekend. The success has come from the rushing attack led by running backs Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi. In recent times, the run game has received assistance from quarterback Graham Mertz who is starting to play decent football. Mertz has six out of his eight touchdowns thrown in the past three weeks. I expect this game to be tight but the Badgers eventually come out on top. 

Nebraska 17 Wisconsin 24 

Purdue vs Northwestern

The Northwestern Wildcats have played bad football all year and I do not expect that to change against a decent Purdue football team. Northwestern hasn’t figured out who their quarterback is as every person has blown their opportunity. The defense of the Wildcats that is normally so lockdown and physical is giving up 230.4-yards per game along with allowing opponents to score 27 points per game. Purdue is coming off a blow-out loss to Ohio State and all decent teams find ways to respond after embarrassing losses. The passing attack for the Boilermakers has been incredible in 2021, they are averaging 338.3-yards per game through the air as Aidan O’Connell is having a great year. Expect this to be a blowout even though this game is being played at Wrigley Field. 

Purdue 24 Northwestern 14

References: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/ 

Writer

-By:Justin Howard

With the regular season in college football coming near a close, every game counts. There are plenty of teams that are still fighting to make it to a bowl game while some teams have no shot. Entering week 12, all the games that are being played are more impactful. Let’s go through the Big Ten and focus on the bubble teams predicting if they will play in the bowl game or if their seasons will end early.

Maryland (5-5): Stroll

Maryland has been super inconsistent in 2021 and it has started behind their quarterback play. Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa has 20 touchdowns, but he turns the ball over too many times as he has 10 interceptions. Not everything falls on the shoulders of the quarterback, the defense has been a complete liability. The Terrapins are letting opponents score 31.4 points per game and they let the opposing team move the football against them. Maryland is giving up 154.2-yards rushing per game. Maryland must face Michigan and Rutgers in the final two games of the season. I believe that the magic for the Terrapins will run out and they will struggle to have success against Michigan and Rutgers as both teams have legitimate defenses. After starting off 4-0, Maryland has lost five out of their last six games and the trend will continue putting the Terrapins out of bowl contention.

Rutgers (5-5): Bowl

The Scarlett Knights have had their best season since 2015 as second-year head coach Greg Schiano has guided his team to success. As Rutgers has entered conference play, they have been exposed but they have handed the teams they are supposed to. This weekend, the Scarlett Knights face Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania in a game Rutgers is likely to lose. However, in week 13 there is a showdown between Maryland and Rutgers. I believe that Rutgers will win this football game based on the running game Rutgers presents and the defense as well. Rutgers is averaging 145.7-yards rushing behind the efforts of Isaih Pacheco who has five touchdowns this year. The defense for Rutgers creates turnovers as they are averaging 1.7 takeaways a game. I think Rutgers takes advantage of the home field and they will get a victory in week 13 sending them to a bowl game over Maryland.

Illinois (4-6): Stroll 

All the credit to head coach Bret Bielema and Illinois for fighting this season but I believe they will be taking a stroll as they will miss out on bowl season in 2021. The Fighting Illini started at 1-4 but they have gone 3-2 in the past five games. Illinois probably pulled off one of the biggest upsets in 2021 when they took down Penn State who was ranked No. 7 at the time, they also beat Minnesota in week 10 who was ranked No. 20. To qualify for a bowl game, Illinois has to win out and beat both Iowa and Northwestern, I struggle to see them takedown the Iowa Hawkeyes. Illinois only scores 17.2 points per game and the offense is not dynamic enough to possess a threat to the defense of Iowa. The improved year for Illinois is great for the conference but their hopes of making a bowl will have to wait until 2022.

References: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/

Writer

-By: Justin Howard