Big Ten Football: Post-spring power rankings heading into 2022

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Oct 2, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks onto the field before his team’s game with the Charlotte 49ers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Illinois

Bret Bielema was a really good hire for the Illinois football program and he proved that last season as the Fighting Illini won four conference games and five overall. Bielema won the conference with Wisconsin and while there is a long way to go at Illinois, a return to the postseason seems like a worthwhile goal this season.

Illinois returns a solid tandem of running backs in Chase Brown and Josh McCray and Tommy DeVito, who threw 19 touchdown passes two years ago at Syracuse, but was limited to three games due to injury last season, looks ready to take over as the starting QB.

The defense needs to keep improving but this team should be even better in year two under Bielema.

10. Maryland

The Terps were really up-and-down last season and despite the talents of Taulia Tagovailoa, they managed to win just seven games, although one of those was an impressive bowl win over Virginia Tech.

Maryland should have momentum after that, and the offense should be one of the best in the Big Ten with Tagovailoa and Dontay Demus back at wideout after he averaged 18 yards per reception last season.

Yet, the defense should continue to struggle and that’s why it’s hard to see Maryland cracking the top four of the Big Ten East Division.

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