The Big Ten football season finally gets kicked off tonight when Nebraska heads north to face off against Minnesota. Before the season officially gets underway, we have to finalize the final power rankings of the off-season. Our Big Ten Tiers can further break down where each team stands heading into 2023.
note: the “previous ranking” refers to our post-spring power rankings.
1) Michigan
Previous ranking: 2
Week 0 result: n/a
Michigan has the highest floor of any team in college football. Questions still loom around their downfield passing attack and quality of pass rushers. But based on the past two seasons, the Wolverines have earned their spot atop the Big Ten. After all, Ohio State and Penn State have worries of their own.
Next up: East Carolina vs Michigan (-36), Saturday at 12pm EST on Peacock
2) Ohio State
Previous ranking: 1
Week 0 result: n/a
On the other hand, Ohio State has perhaps the highest ceiling in all of college football. The defense has gotten rave reviews throughout the spring & fall and should make the Buckeyes a more complete team. But question marks around the offensive line have lingered throughout camp. And Ryan Day not fully committing to Kyle McCord makes me a little nervous about how this QB competition will shake out.
Next up: Ohio State (-30) at Indiana, Saturday at 3:30pm EST on CBS
3) Penn State
Previous ranking: 3
Week 0 result: n/a
Penn State will be in the thick of the Big Ten East and CFP race throughout the season – don’t get me wrong. But until I actually see Penn State outplay the Buckeyes & Wolverines, I can’t put them any higher. Drew Allar appears to be a special talent. But what has James Franklin done with quarterbacks in the past to make you think Allar will continue to develop and improve? I have high expectations for Penn State this season, but they’ll start off the season at #3 here.
Next up: West Virginia vs Penn State (-20.5), Saturday at 7:30pm EST on NBC
4) Iowa
Previous ranking: 4
Week 0 result: n/a
Although their defense won’t be quite as elite, Iowa should take a tremendous step forward in 2023 and might even be a top-10 team. Cade McNamara’s impact can’t be understated, but it also helps that essentially the entire offensive line unit returns. Iowa’s only question mark on defense is at linebacker, but the arrival of 3x All-ACC Nick Jackson certainly helps. Iowa is my preseason favorite to win an improved Big Ten West.
Next up: Utah State vs Iowa (-24), Saturday at 12pm EST on FS1
5) Wisconsin
Previous ranking: 5
Week 0 result: n/a
The arrival of Luke Fickell and his staff already has Wisconsin fans thinking Big Ten championship and for good reason. The defense is littered with dynamic veterans like LB Maema Njongmeta and S Kamo’i Latu. The Badgers also have one of the best offensive lines in the conference and a beast of a running back in Braelon Allen. Phil Longo is bringing an up-tempo offense that will get the ball into the hands of their deep receiving core more. However, QB Tanner Mordecai’s performance in the spring was uninspiring and hasn’t been resolved in fall camp. Coupled with a massive offensive scheme change, I’m pumping the brakes on the Badgers a bit.
Next up: Buffalo vs Wisconsin (-28), Saturday at 3:30pm EST on FS1
6) Maryland
Previous ranking: 6
Week 0 result: n/a
I love the Terps this year. Taulia Tagovailoa, Roman Hemby, and a deep receiving corps headline on the conference’s most exciting offenses. Their defense also has playmakers at every level with LB Jaishawn Barham, CB Ja’Quan Sheppard, and S Beau Brade. But their play along the line of scrimmage has always been it’s weakenss and is still their biggest question mark heading into 2023. Playing in colege football’s toughest division limits their ceiling too.
Next up: Towson vs Maryland, Saturday at 3:30pm EST on BTN
7) Illinois
Previous ranking: 7
Week 0 result: n/a
Illinois has a great chance to win the West this season. Jer’Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph are the country’s best defensive line duo and the Illini offensive line should take another step forward after an improved 2022. They should be able to dominate the line of scrimmage. But replacing RB Chase Brown after a legendary season and breaking in a new QB in Luke Altmyer is a tough ask. It makes me question if their offense can improve enough to make up for the mass exodus of NFL talent they experienced in the secondary.
Next up: Toledo vs Illinois (-9.5), Saturday at 7:30pm EST on BTN
8) Minnesota
Previous ranking: 8
Week 0 result: n/a
My biggest concern for the Gophers is the play of new QB Athan Kaliakmanis, who didn’t exactly wow me when given opportunities to play last season. Their is a wealth of talent around him on offense, but he’ll also be expected to score more thanks to departures at every level of their defense. If Minnesota couldn’t the West in last year’s debacle, I have a hard time seeing them win it this y ear.
Next up: Nebraska vs Minnesota (-7.5), Thursday at 8pm EST on FOX
9) Michigan State
Previous ranking: 11
Week 0 result: n/a
I still have a lot of concerns around this offense. Mel Tucker still hasn’t named a starting quarterback which alarms me because Noah Kim appeared to be the clear starter. Has he not played well enough to secure that title? Their offensive line should be much better but there aren’t many reliable weapons for Kim (or whoever else) to lean on. But I moved up the Spartans since the spring because I think their pass defense will improve enough to make this a truly elite defense.
Next up: Central Michigan vs Michigan State (-14), Friday at 7pm EST on FS1
10) Purdue
Previous ranking: 9
Week 0 result: n/a
I’ve been a bigger advocate for Ryan Walters and what he is building at Purdue than maybe anyone else. Hudson Card might end up being one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten and RB Devin Mockobee is he country’s least-talked about weapon. Walters’ new scheme should allow guys like Kydran Jenkins, Cam Allen, and OC Brothers to make more big plays. But Purdue saw CB Jamari Brown hit the portal this camp and I still have concerns about the Boilers’ ability in the trenches. That’s why they fell below Michigan State.
Next up: Fresno State vs Purdue (-4), Saturday at 12pm on BTN
11) Nebraska
Previous ranking: 10
Week 0 result: n/a
Jeff Simms leads an offense that should be much more efficient and (hopefully) more careful with the football. They have depth at every skill position and their offensive line appears to have gotten much better. But the Huskers’ defense is easily still the biggest question mark for this team. Not only do they need to improve drastically, but they have to learn an entirely new scheme. I have my reservations about the 3-3-5 working in the Big Ten as it is.
Next up: Nebraska (+7.5) vs Minnesota, Thursday at 8pm on FOX
12) Rutgers
Previous ranking: 12
Week 0 result: n/a
Aaron Lewis, Max Melton, and Deion Jennings lead a defense that should be in the top half of the Big Ten. From a talent perspective, that is. The offense needs to improve drastically and keep the defense off the field if the Scarlet Knights want a chance of making a bowl game. Gavin Wimsatt finally has the keys to the offense. If he is anything more than 60% passer with a positive TD:INT, Rutgers has a chance to move up this list. But Wimsatt’s performance so far in his career makes me skeptical that can happen.
Next up: Northwestern vs Rutgers (-6.5), Sunday at 12pm EST on CBS
13) Indiana
Previous ranking: 13
Week 0 result: n/a
Hoosier fans have reason to think they can make it to a bowl game this year. Cam Camper, Dequece Carter, and Jaylin Lucas highlight a deep group of offensive skill position players that can elevate this offense to another level. Indiana also brought in a boatload of transfers to help on defense. But I haven’t seen anything yet to make me think either Taevyn Jackson or Brendan Sorsby can compete with the likes of Taulia, JJ, Drew, and Ohio State QBs. And as has been the case over the past couple seasons, Indiana’s offensive line is still a concern.
Next up: Indiana (+30) vs Ohio State, Saturday at 3:30pm EST on CBS
14) Northwestern
Previous ranking: 14
Week 0 result: n/a
There isn’t much to say about the Wildcats’ 2023 hopes. Anything more than a single Big Ten win would probably be considered a success. The arrivals of veterans Ben Bryant at QB and AJ Henning at WR gives this offense some hope. Northwestern also has some talent in the secondary with guys like Coco Azema and Rod Heard. But question marks litter this roster. Even though interim head coach David Braun has been a stud in the media, I’m not sure the first-year head coach has what it takes to elevate this outmatched football team.