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Big Ten Power Rankings: No Harbaugh, no problem. Michigan cruises with makeshift coaches

rob oller, columbus dispatch
·4 min read

Buckle up and settle in for the first Big Ten Power Rankings of 2023, aka the last season Minnesota and Illinois have any chance of playing in the conference championship game. The Big Ten drops its divisional format in 2024, when Southern California, UCLA, Oregon and Washington join the fray. What that means for the Little Ten schools not playing football for a living is it's now or never. And we’re betting on the never.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh walks onto the field prior to a game against Ohio State on Nov. 26.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh walks onto the field prior to a game against Ohio State on Nov. 26.

1. Michigan

This week: vs. East Carolina

What to know: The wishy-washy Wolverines can’t make up their minds who should stand in for suspended coach Jim Harbaugh. This week, it’s co-defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Next week it’s a different guy. Ditto the week after that. That said, Harbaugh’s dog could win against UM’s early bow-wow schedule.

Jul 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; A countdown to the game against Michigan ticks down behind Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. as he works out at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center prior to the start of fall camp.
Jul 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; A countdown to the game against Michigan ticks down behind Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. as he works out at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center prior to the start of fall camp.

2. Ohio State

This week: at Indiana

What to know: If the nation’s best group of receivers are set to have a great fall, but OSU has no Heisman-level quarterback to “Hear, hear” it, does it really happen?

Penn State sophomore quarterback Drew Allar talks with reporters during football media day at Beaver Stadium on Sunday, August 6, 2023, in State College.
Penn State sophomore quarterback Drew Allar talks with reporters during football media day at Beaver Stadium on Sunday, August 6, 2023, in State College.

3. Penn State

This week: vs. West Virginia

What to know: The Nittany Lions will finish the regular season with the same number of L’s as appear in the last name of their hotshot first-year starting QB, Drew Allar.

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell answers questions during Wisconsin Badgers football media day at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell answers questions during Wisconsin Badgers football media day at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

4. Wisconsin

This week: vs. Buffalo

What to know: Coincidentally, the Badgers also will finish the regular season with two L’s. But don’t blame Luke FickeLL. The first-year coach is revitalizing the program.

Iowa offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Ferentz, second from left, talks with quarterback Deacon Hill (10) during the Hawkeyes' final spring NCAA football practice, Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Ferentz, second from left, talks with quarterback Deacon Hill (10) during the Hawkeyes' final spring NCAA football practice, Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

5. Iowa

This week: vs. Utah State

What to know: When coach Kirk Ferentz turned the offense over to his son Brian last season, he forgot to tell him not to take “offensive” coordinator so literally. The offense will be better, if only because it can’t get any worse.

Nov 19, 2022; College Park, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (44) tackles Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) for a sack in the second quarter of their Big Ten game at SECU Stadium.
Nov 19, 2022; College Park, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (44) tackles Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) for a sack in the second quarter of their Big Ten game at SECU Stadium.

6. Maryland

This week: vs. Towson

What to know: Quarterback is the most important position in football, which means the Terrapins should be dangerous with Taulia Tagovailoa back. That is, if the inexperienced O-line can keep him off his back.

Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) is congratulated by teammates after making an interception in the end zone against the Chattanooga Mocs during the first half at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 22, 2022.
Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) is congratulated by teammates after making an interception in the end zone against the Chattanooga Mocs during the first half at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 22, 2022.

7. Illinois

This week: vs. Toledo

What to know: The Mid-American Conference has made a habit of knocking off Big Ten teams in September. Illinois would love to break that habit, but like a chain smoker who can’t quit, will find it extremely difficult.

Michigan State linebacker Darius Snow (23) tackles Western Michigan running back Sean Tyler (9) during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.
Michigan State linebacker Darius Snow (23) tackles Western Michigan running back Sean Tyler (9) during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.

8. Minnesota

This week: vs. Nebraska (Thursday)

What to know: The Golden Gophers can run − Western Michigan transfer Sean Tyler is the real deal − but they can’t hide their depleted defense.

New Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule spoke about earning respect back for a program that hasn't had a winning season since under Mike Riley in 2016.
New Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule spoke about earning respect back for a program that hasn't had a winning season since under Mike Riley in 2016.

9. Nebraska

This week: at Minnesota (Thursday)

What to know: Coach Matt Rhule looks to be the perfect fit in Lincoln, but longtime Huskers fans are not easily fooled. They thought the same way about Scott Frost, and look how that turned out.

Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters watches during Purdue football practice, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters watches during Purdue football practice, Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.

10. Purdue

This week: vs. Fresno State

What to know: The best thing that happened to Purdue during spring practice was the NFL draft, which plucked away Fresno State’s best quarterback, running back and receiver, thus allowing the Boilermakers to survive an opening-week scare.

Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker looks on during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in East Lansing.
Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker looks on during practice on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in East Lansing.

11. Michigan State

This week: vs. Central Michigan (Friday)

What to know: Mel Tucker may want to move from East Lansing to Far East Lansing after another season in which valid fan criticism makes the overpaid MSU coach wish he lived alone on an island on the other side of the world.

Nov 5, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts after a defensive stop during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts after a defensive stop during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

12. Rutgers

This week: vs. Northwestern (Sunday)

What to know: It’s Rutgers, meaning the Scarlet Knights will win a few early games, knock off at least one Big Ten opponent then return to earth like an out-of-service satellite.

Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen uses his megaphone during Indiana football fall camp at the practice fields on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.
Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen uses his megaphone during Indiana football fall camp at the practice fields on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

13. Indiana

This week: vs. Ohio State

What to know: Positive and negative ways for the Hoosiers to see their opener: 1: Get the Buckeyes while their quarterbacks are still untested in games. 2: What did we do to deserve this whuppin right out of the gate?

Jul 26, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Northwestern Wildcats interim head coach David Braun speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Northwestern Wildcats interim head coach David Braun speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

14. Northwestern

This week: at Rutgers (Sunday)

What to know: An offseason of chaos, confusion and controversy concludes with a no-show against Rutgers, and continues against pretty much everyone else.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Jim Harbaugh misses first three Michigan games but Wolverines roll