It’s power rankings and predictions season across the college football landscape — and that’s resulted in some questionable takes on the upcoming 2023 season. That includes Pro Football Focus (PFF).
PFF released Big Ten power rankings for the upcoming 2023 season, and let’s just say they were rather… interesting. At least I thought so, with some PFF listing some teams higher and lower than I personally would have them.
Michigan State was one of the teams that I felt was too low in the rankings — but how low were they? And how much higher would I move up the Spartans?
Below is a breakdown of where each Big Ten landed in PFF’s power rankings, with my thoughts on where I would rank each team right now as well:
Northwestern
PFF Ranking: No. 14
Where I’d Rank Them: Same
I’m aligned with PFF on the Wildcats being the worst team in the Big Ten entering the 2023 season. They’ve won only three conference games in the last three full seasons and I can’t trust Northwestern will be any better until I see it on the field.
Indiana
PFF Ranking: No. 13
Where I’d Rank Them: Same
I think it’s a toss-up between Indiana and Rutgers for who should be the second-lowest team in the league. I’m leaning towards the Hoosiers at No. 13 so I agree with PFF’s take but I also wouldn’t argue if you put Rutgers in the basement of the Big Ten East Division.
Rutgers
PFF Ranking: No. 12
Where I’d Rank Them: Same
As I just stated with Indiana, I agree with PFF in having Rutgers at No. 12 — they’ll be duking it out with the Hoosiers to avoid finishing last in the Big Ten East Division this year. So no argument from me on having the Scarlet Knights at No. 12.
Nebraska
PFF Ranking: No. 11
Where I’d Rank Them: Higher
This is where things start to get questionable from PFF as I think Nebraska is too low in their rankings. I anticipate the Cornhuskers to get a jolt of life from new head coach Matt Rhule and reach a bowl game in 2023. So No. 11 seems on the lower side for the Cornhuskers.
Michigan State
PFF Ranking: No. 10
Where I’d Rank Them: Higher
It’s easy to look at the losses of Payton Thorne and Keon Coleman and slate Michigan State in the bottom tier of the Big Ten. But that’s also a lazy take. I’m not expecting Michigan State to be a contender for the Big Ten this fall but this is wildly too low for me as long as the Spartans don’t have terrible injury lucky again this fall.
Purdue
PFF Ranking: No. 9
Where I’d Rank Them: Lower
What will Purdue look like under a new head coach and with a new quarterback? There’s a ton of turnover from last year’s Big Ten West Division championship team and thus I have the Boilermakers a smidge lower in my personal power rankings.
Maryland
PFF Ranking: No. 8
Where I’d Rank Them: Lower
This seems about right for the Terps — I have them a bit lower but I’m not upset about Maryland being here either. If Taulia Tagovailoa can stay healthy all year, then they’ll be better than my personal projection. But I’m not confident we’ll get that out of him since we haven’t yet in his career.
Wisconsin
PFF Ranking: No. 7
Where I’d Rank Them: Higher
Wisconsin feels like a team that could be this year’s version of TCU. The Badgers have always had enough talent to contend in the league and now they have been revamped with a better coaching staff. So slating Wisconsin at No. 7 in the Big Ten is pretty appalling to me.
Iowa
PFF Ranking: No. 6
Where I’d Rank Them: Higher
Another Big Ten West Division team that is too low. Iowa should be improved on offense in 2023 with Michigan transfer Cade McNamara taking over as the starting quarterback and I expect them to have yet another stifling defense. Having Iowa behind the next two teams from the west is shocking to me.
Minnesota
PFF Ranking: No. 5
Where I’d Rank Them: Lower
I have Minnesota as a top-half Big Ten team — but I’m not a fan of them being ahead of Wisconsin and Iowa. The Golden Gophers are breaking in a new quarterback and have a brutal schedule in 2023 — so I think they are more likely to miss a bowl game than win the Big Ten West Division.
Illinois
PFF Ranking: No. 4
Where I’d Rank Them: Lower
Not many people would put Illinois at the top of the Big Ten West Division entering the 2023 season — but here we are. Illinois is going to be solid in 2023 but this feels way too high for a team that I expect to level out this year.
Penn State
PFF Ranking: No. 3
Where I’d Rank Them: Same
There’s a distinct cutoff line between the top three and the rest of the Big Ten — starting with Penn State at No. 3. I like the Nittany Lions as a darkhorse pick to win the league and reach the College Football Playoff. But to start the year they belong behind the Wolverines and Buckeyes.
Michigan
PFF Ranking: No. 2
Where I’d Rank Them: Same
I’m torn on having the Wolverines behind the Buckeyes to start the year. Michigan has earned the ability to be slated as the top team and also returns a ton of talent from last year’s dominant team. But I also believe Ohio State is purely a more talented and deeper team so I’ll agree with PFF in having Michigan behind their rivals… for now at least.
Ohio State
PFF Ranking: No. 1
Where I’d Rank Them: Same
This is the normal spot for the Buckeyes when entering the season — but this year they aren’t considered the preseason favorite lock. Ohio State will be working in a new starting quarterback this fall and has lost two straight to Michigan. Can the Buckeyes right the ship and return to the top spot in the Big Ten pecking order?
How My Power Rankings Compare
At the top and bottom of the league, I agree with PFF. However, in the middle, it’s a mess — in my opinion. I’m not as high on Minnesota and Illinois as PFF, and I’m expecting more from Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan State this fall.
Below is how I’d currently power rank each of the Big Ten teams:
No. 1: Ohio State
No. 2: Michigan
No. 3: Penn State
No. 4: Wisconsin
No. 5: Iowa
No. 6: Minnesota
No. 7: Michigan State
No. 8: Illinois
No. 9: Maryland
No. 10: Nebraska
No. 11: Purdue
No. 12: Rutgers
No 13: Indiana
No. 14: Northwestern
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