Final Big Ten Football Power Rankings for the 2021 season
By Ryan Kay
These three teams improved from last season and are making positive steps in the right direction but they are all still considered tier three teams in these final power rankings.
Unlike the tier four teams, the Big Ten teams listed below found ways to win close games and avoid being placed in the lowest tier of the Big Ten. Let’s take a look a the tier three teams.
Tier 3 Teams in the Big Ten
Big Ten Record: 2-7
Victories: At Indiana, at Illinois, Delaware, at Syracuse, and Temple
Wins over bowl teams: 0
Road victories: 3
Wins over ranked opponents: 0
Victories over conference champions: 0
Bowl Game: Lost to Wake Forest in the Gator Bowl
. 5-7. . Fighting Illini . 10. team. 807
Big Ten Record: 4-5
Victories: Nebraska, Charlotte, at Penn State, at Minnesota, and Northwestern
Wins over bowl teams: 2
Road victories: 2
Wins over ranked opponents: 0
Victories over conference champions: 0
Bowl Game: Did not qualify for a bowl game
team. 824. . 7-6. . Terrapins . 9
Big Ten Record: 3-6
Victories: West Virginia, Howard, at Illinois, Kent State, Indiana, at Rutgers, and Virginia Tech (neutral site)
Wins over bowl teams: 4
Road victories: 2
Wins over ranked opponents: 0
Victories over conference champions: 0
Bowl Game: Defeated Virginia Tech in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Rutgers should get more credit than what Scarlet Knights have received from most of the media because they won three road games and played Michigan tough on the road. Yes, they had some bad losses and that is why they are ranked 11 in these power rankings but they somehow found a way to qualify for a bowl game and the Scarlet Knights showed progress in 2021.
Illinois did not qualify for a bowl game but they had some impressive wins and played well late in the season. The Fighting Illini won at Penn State and at Minnesota and they should get credit for those two impressive road victories. However, they lost at home to Maryland and Rutgers and missed some opportunities to win some games where they lost by single digits to Purdue and UTSA. Therefore, that is why they are not ranked higher in these Big Ten power rankings.
Maryland finished the 2021 season with a winning record and made strides this season that showed progress for the Terrapins. They defeated West Virginia in non-conference play and beat Virginia Tech in their bowl game by 44 points. Maryland also won the conference games it needed to win and earned the number nine spot in these power rankings. Now let’s take a look at the tier two rankings.