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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; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) makes a touchdown catch against Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Johnny Dixon (3) during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) makes a touchdown catch against Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Johnny Dixon (3) during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

team. 852. . 8-4, 6-3. . Golden Gophers . 5

The Gophers had an interesting season. Minnesota won Paul Bunyan’s Axe from Wisconsin and kept the Badgers from the Big Ten Championship Game. The Gophers accomplished this after losing its top three running backs. Wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell was also nursing injuries.

Despite not much offensive explosion, the Gophers, using their veteran offensive line and stout defense, found a way to win eight games and get back to a bowl game for the third time in five years under head coach PJ Fleck. Say what you want about the gimmick; the man can flat coach.

4. team. 878. . 10-2, 7-2. . Hawkeyes

Ranking the Hawkeyes fourth to end the season is a bit of a hot take, but their formula for winning was simple. Iowa beat just two conference opponents with winning records (Penn State and Minnesota).

That is not at all to shade their season. Ten wins are ten wins. It was ugly at times, but they found a way. Their Citrus Bowl game against Kentucky should be interesting.

805. . 10-2, 7-2. . Spartans . 3. team

Most bookmakers had Michigan State’s win total over/under at 4.5 this season. To say the Spartans exceeded expectations would be an understatement. Second-year head coach Mel Tucker was masterful in using the transfer portal, and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson did a great job coaching Payton Thorne.

The crown jewel of the portal for the Spartans was Kenneth Walker III. He went from a rotational running back at Wake Forest to arguably the best running back in college football this season. Their Peach Bowl matchup with Pitt should be fun.

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