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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; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Gophers players rush to celebrate with the Paul Bunyan trophy after their victory against the Wisconsin Badgers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Gophers players rush to celebrate with the Paul Bunyan trophy after their victory against the Wisconsin Badgers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports /

Nittany Lions . 8. team. 806. . 7-5, 4-5.

Jeff Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions did not have the season they wanted. There were injuries and close losses that cost the Lions this season. Sean Clifford’s injury was a huge factor in what happened in Happy Valley this season.

The Nittany Lions spent most of this season acquainted with heartbreak, losing five games by one score. Penn State played both Michigan and Ohio State close but fell short. Franklin and his staff have to fix the offensive line and running game if they expect to compete in the Big Ten next season.

848. . 8-4, 6-3. . Boilermakers . 7. team

Head coach Jeff Brohm has made a living getting his team up for big games. This season, the Boilermakers beat Iowa and Michigan State. Neither of these wins was flukes either. Purdue handily defeated both the Hawkeyes are Spartans this season.

What does this do for Purdue moving forward? That is a good question. Purdue’s success was largely due to their veteran team. What this was for Purdue was a cycle-up season.

Badgers . 6. team. 809. . 8-4, 6-3.

Considering how the Wisconsin Badgers began the season, their eight wins were solid. Last season’s leading rusher, Jalen Berger, was dismissed. Quarterback Graham Mertz was not good, and the Badgers almost wasted a good defense.

The Badgers came up short the final week of the season against Minnesota, and neither the offense nor defense played well in that game. Head coach Paul Chryst has to figure out who will play quarterback and wide receiver.

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