Saturday Blitz
Fansided

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

By Chris Peterson

Jan 1, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Trayvon Wilburn (51) douses head coach Ryan Day with gatorade after defeating the Clemson Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2021; New Orleans, LA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Trayvon Wilburn (51) douses head coach Ryan Day with gatorade after defeating the Clemson Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 10
Next
Michigan football
Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Along with Nebraska’s Scott Frost, Jim Harbaugh is under some intense pressure to win. His contract was extended after this season but at a lower dollar amount, one that allows Michigan to buy him out (fire him) at a cheaper rate.

Harbaugh did bet on himself in that regard and he also dramatically overhauled his staff, which continued yesterday with the hire of Steve Clinckscale from Kentucky.

The biggest move was getting rid of Don Brown. New DC Mike Macdonald is from the NFL and has never called a defense before. Harbaugh is also hoping that Cade McNamara, Alan Bowman, or five-star freshman J.J. McCarthy can emerge at quarterback.

There is plenty of talent on this team but if the quarterback play isn’t consistent, it might be a fight to reach bowl eligibility.

Northwestern is coming off an incredible season that saw the Wildcats win the Big Ten West title once again. Yet, with some key players leaving for the NFL, including quarterback Peyton Ramsey, the Wildcats are likely to take a step back, at least a little one.

The Big Ten conference is going to be really deep this year and there is actually some solid depth in both divisions. Pat Fitzgerald and the defense should be able to withstand some losses, but it’s hard to see the QB play being good enough for Northwestern to win the West Division again.

Home/Big Ten