Big Ten Football: 2018 Preseason Power Rankings

Four teams ranked in the top 15 of the AP Poll has the Big Ten East looking like the top dog. But can Wisconsin hold strong and win a title for the West?

Over the past several seasons, the Big Ten has one of the most competitive conferences from top to bottom. And this has brought some positives and negatives for the conference. in 2016, despite not playing in the Big Ten Championship Game, the Ohio State Buckeyes earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, in 2017 the Buckeyes won the conference championship but fell just short of the playoff, leaving the Big Ten out for the first time since the playoff format was first introduced.

The Wisconsin Badgers on the other hand, have been in line to make the playoff the past two seasons. But, after winning the Big Ten West, have lost in the Big Ten title game in back-to-back years, ending any hope for a playoff berth. And this year may not be any different. Ohio State is the favorite to win the conference. And in addition to Wisconsin out of the West; Penn State, Michigan State and Michigan all look to dethrone the Buckeyes as not only the Big Ten East champion, but as the top dog in the entire conference.

And the middle of the pack of the Big Ten, looks to be tougher than it has been over the years. Iowa and Northwestern both look to take that next step to reach the top teams of the Big Ten. While Nebraska, Purdue and even Rutgers, look to trend upwards in 2018. It is going to be an exciting year for the Big Ten and with all the talk surrounding the conference, all eyes will be fixated on every conference matchup.

Let’s take a look at the Big Ten 2018 Preseason Power Rankings