Big Ten Football: Post-spring power rankings for 2021 season

One of the biggest questions about Michigan State comes at quarterback as Payton Thorne or Anthony Russo have been battling it out for the job.

Throne is a returner and had three touchdowns and three picks last season, while Russo transferred from Temple. He threw 44 touchdown passes for the Owls but also 32 interceptions, so it’s hard to say either will be a guaranteed upgrade.

One thing that should help either quarterback is the fact that the Spartans are returning their top three rushers from a year ago, as well as their top three receivers.

Head coach Mel Tucker showed he can win big games in year one on the job and with some key additions in the transfer portal to help solidify depth, the Spartans should be bowl eligible in 2021.

Minnesota should be solid again next season in the Big Ten. The Gophers return one of the better quarterbacks in the conference in Tanner Morgan, along with running back Mohamed Ibrahim who scored 15 touchdowns and rushed for over 1,000 yards in seven games.

Chris Autman-Bell is also back after averaging 19.1 yards per reception last season, which should give the Gophers one of the best QB-RB-WR trios in the Big Ten.

The defense has question marks, which will keep the Gophers from being in the upper-echelon of Big Ten football teams next season, but Minnesota should have another solid year.