It’s the days of little college football news summer, and everyone is just waiting for fall camp to roll around so there’s excitement towards the next college football season.
It’s no different in the Big Ten. But that’s okay, it seems like an almost perfect time to look at the landscape of the conference and throw out our somewhat early look at how things might stack up when the fall rolls around.
Here’s your somewhat early, somewhat educated guess, sure to change power rankings for Big Ten football in early summer.
14. Rutgers
There’s really no reason to believe the Scarlet Knights are going to make a jump and begin to steady up the pecking order in the Big Ten. The program just hasn’t recruited well enough to expect much more.
13. Illinois
The Fighting Illini started to be a little more competitive last year, but there’s still miles to go. And yet, Lovie Smith got himself a contract extension. All for winning just four conference games in three seasons. Maybe he turns things around, but it’s doubtful.
12. Indiana
Look, there’s no doubt the Hoosiers have gotten better. The problem is that they have yet to find ways to win close games. It’ll still be the same in 2019.
11. Purdue
I expect a down year for the Boilermakers. The offense has been tough to handle since Jeff Brohm has been in charge, but there’s still a gap in talent — especially on the defensive end.
10. Maryland
Mike Locksley will steer the program in a new direction, but it’ll take a couple of years at least to go far enough in that direction, whatever it is. There’s talent on the roster, but it’s not deep enough to stay with the big boys.
9. Minnesota
I like the direction the boat is rowing in the Twin Cities, but the team is still a year or two away from some of the recruits P.J. Fleck has brought in really making their mark.
8. Northwestern
While head coach Pat Fitzgerald has been a master at getting all he can out of this team on a yearly basis, there’s just too many losses for there not to be an impact. It’ll be a slightly down year for Chicago’s Big Ten team.
7. Iowa
It’s the Hawkeye curse. It’ll beat someone it shouldn’t then turn around and lose to teams that have no business hanging with the Black and Gold. The only thing consistent about Iowa is the inconsistency. It’ll happen again and keep the team from being in the hunt all the way through in the West.
6. Penn State
You can’t help but think James Franklin has his work cut out for him this year. Trace McSorely has graduated and the heir apparent Tommy Stevens transferred out of the program. Even more kids entered the transfer portal. There almost has to be a drop off in 2019.
5. Nebraska
I’m not ready to go all in on the ‘Huskers contending for a Big Ten title like a lot of other sites, but I expect the momentum from the end of last year to carry over. Scott Frost is still a year away though. Maybe we’ll be discussing some bigger things in 2020.
4. Michigan State
If the Spartans were in the West, they might find a way to win the division. Instead, it’s going to be tough to navigate games on the road at Ohio State and Michigan. It also crosses over to play in Madison. That’s a tough road to travel for sure.
3. Wisconsin
Look for a bounce back year from the Badgers. The defense will be much, much better and Jonathan Taylor will run wild behind another very good offensive line. There are quarterback concerns, but that’s almost every year in Madison.
2. Michigan
The Wolverines will be good but there’s far too many losses on the defensive side of the ball to expect them to jump Ohio State in my opinion. Shea Patterson will be fantastic for them at the quarterback position, and the skill position players will be freed up this year under new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, but the program is still chasing that team in Scarlet and Gray.
1. Ohio State
Maybe we’re a bit biased here, but I feel like a lot of sites and experts are sleeping on the potential of what this Ohio State squad can be. There’s still a lot of talent on the offensive end, and the defense is going to be a lot better — especially on the back end. You know the D-line will be a monster again, so unless new QB Justin Fields really struggles, I don’t see many holes. The Buckeyes should still be the class of the league and have a shot at getting into the College Football Playoff.
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