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Final 2021 Big Ten football power rankings: Michigan is top dog

By Dante Pryor

Nov 20, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86) celebrates with teammates after scoring a during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Luke Schoonmaker (86) celebrates with teammates after scoring a during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) celebrates with Maryland Terrapins defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu (97) after a defensive stop against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) celebrates with Maryland Terrapins defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu (97) after a defensive stop against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Four years removed from a one-win season, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights won five games and (more importantly) looked competitive in most of its games. This team has a roster that is going to take time to build.

It is encouraging for head coach Greg Schiano and his coaching staff that it seems as if the players currently on the roster have bought into what Schiano is selling. The recruiting is exponentially improved, and Schiano has used the portal well. Much like the teams on the list so far, the Knights need to find a quarterback.

807. . 5-7, 4-5. . Fighting Illini . 10. team

Much like their mates in Piscataway, the Illinois Fighting Illini has to be encouraged by how well it played in the first season under new head coach Bret Bielema. The Illini could not throw the football, so their formula for success was simple.

Illinois ran the football a lot. When teams could not stop their run game, they won. When teams stifled their run game, they lost. Recruiting under Bielema is better, and things are trending in the right direction with him.

824. . 6-6, 3-6. . Terrapins . 9. team

The Maryland Terrapins cracked the code to get to the postseason. The Terps won the games they were supposed to win and got blowout in a few. What will be most interesting as they play Virginia Tech in the Pinstripe Bowl is how they move the football without two of their most explosive offensive players.

Wide receivers Dante Demus and Rakim Jarrett are both out with injuries. Can they move the ball in the air against a traditionally tough Virginia Tech defense?

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