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Big Ten football power rankings: Post-spring 2023 edition

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) high fives fans as he exits the field after the Michigan defeat Northern Illinois 63-10 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.jj mccarthy happy
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) high fives fans as he exits the field after the Michigan defeat Northern Illinois 63-10 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.jj mccarthy happy /
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Dec 3, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh raises the championship trophy following their 43-22 victory against Purdue in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh raises the championship trophy following their 43-22 victory against Purdue in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

I’m so used to having Ohio State at No. 1 in my Big Ten power rankings every year before the season, but Michigan has owned the Buckeyes since the 2021 season. The Wolverines have Ryan Day’s number and that has to drive Ohio State fans crazy.

The Buckeyes are No. 2 here because they lose CJ Stroud and because, well, they’re two-time runner-ups in the Big Ten East.

Ohio State has the conference’s best receiver and an elite run game, but it needs to figure out how to defend in big games.

Honestly, Michigan has to remain the No. 1 team in the post-spring power rankings because no one has been able to knock them off in conference play over the past two seasons outside of Michigan State.

The Wolverines bring back JJ McCarthy and the best backfield in the Big Ten and it just seems like this is going to be the team to beat.

As long as the defense is as good, or even slightly better, than last year’s, Michigan should be one of the best 3-4 teams in the nation.

Next. College football's post-spring Top 25 projections. dark

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