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The Big Ten is known for its defense, as last season was the first since 2012 that it didn’t have at least 3 of its teams in the top 10 nationally in total defense. Here’s how I would rank them to start the season:
14. Michigan State
After allowing a B1G-worst 35.1 points per game, the Spartans have their work cut out for them, especially after losing their leading tackler (Antjuan Simmons) and best player in the secondary (Shakur Brown).
13. Minnesota
The Golden Gophers need to be a much-improved defense in order to get back to 2019 levels, as they were simply awful on this side of the ball in 2020. They allowed 6.3 yards per rush, which was 124th in the country. Coney Durr is back at corner to improve his draft stock, and we still are waiting for Boye Mafe’s production to match his measurables.
12. Maryland
The Terrapins did show some improvement after a tough start to 2020, most notably flummoxing Penn State and holding their final 3 opponents under 30 points after allowing 40-plus in the first 2 games. Maryland does return 9 starters, though leading tackler Chance Campbell is not one of them.
11. Purdue
The Boilermakers have struggled on defense and have their 3rd defensive coordinator in 3 years. It’s been such an issue that Jeff Brohm is vowing to be more hands-on on that side of the ball. It will be fun to see George Karlaftis back healthy.
10. Illinois
Illinois had the worst defense in the Big Ten in 2020, allowing 34.9 points per game and a B1G-worst 467 yards per game. The Illini boast two of the league’s top defensive players in defensive end Owen Carney and linebacker Jake Hansen. The problem is, Illinois is weak on the back end, allowing QBs to complete 69.6 percent of passes last season. Yikes! So why this high? I’m buying the Bielema Bump (trademark pending).
9. Michigan
The big question here is obviously how the Wolverines will respond to Mike Macdonald replacing Don Brown at defensive coordinator. For that reason, Michigan is tough to rank. Here’s what I do know: Getting Aidan Hutchinson back was a huge boost, as he is primed for a huge season on the edge, and Daxton Hill and Brad Hawkins are solid on the back end. Will Macdonald put his corners in positions to succeed? Allowing 34.5 points per game without playing Ohio State is the ugly reality of 2020.
8. Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights have 10 of 11 starters coming back, so expectations are high for this group. They boast one of the best secondaries in the Big Ten and a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Olakunle Fatukasi. Allowing Nebraska to run for 365 yards in the season finale, though, left a bad taste in their mouth after a solid season.
7. Nebraska
With 10 starters back, expectations are high. After getting torched on the ground by Illinois, the Huskers were solid in their final 4 games. JoJo Domann is one of the B1G’s most versatile defenders, and it was a big plus to get him back for another year. Same with the secondary, as Cam Taylor-Britt, Deontai Williams and Marquel Dismuke all could’ve left, but instead, they will provide a ton of experience for what should be one of the B1G’s better units.
6. Northwestern
The Wildcats are expected to take a step back after returning only 4 starters, and it’s only natural to wonder what the defense will be like when you lose a 1st-round corner like Greg Newsome. But All-America safety Brandon Joseph should be a steadying force, and Chris Bergin will probably lead the team in tackles.
5. Indiana
The Hoosiers have a lot of big-time players coming back from a unit that, quite often, carried the team when the offense couldn’t get going. Tiawan Mullen, Jaylin Williams and Reese Taylor are playmakers in the secondary, Micah McFadden is a do-it-all linebacker and Marcelino McCrary-Ball coming back after missing all of last season should be a big lift. Indiana picked off 17 passes in 8 games last season; is that sustainable?
4. Penn State
The Nittany Lions are solid all the way around, with leaders at every position. I’m particularly interested in this group of linebackers with a ton of potential, led by Ellis Brooks and former 5-star recruit Brandon Smith. The defense was not the issue last year. It let up 211 yards in a loss to Indiana and 298 yards in a loss to Nebraska. It also held Michigan, Rutgers and Illinois under 300.
3. Ohio State
The Buckeyes have as much talent as anyone on the defensive side, but it’s tough to put them any higher than No. 3 to start out with, as the defense, particularly the secondary, was absolutely a liability in 2020. It’s hard to believe Michael Penix Jr. threw for nearly 500 yards on the Buckeyes. They were absolutely helpless in allowing an embarrassing 621 yards to Alabama in the national title game. All-American Haskell Garrett is back to anchor the line, and maybe Sevyn Banks will take the next step at corner. Of note, the Buckeyes will have 3 new starters at linebacker, which is certainly something to watch.
2. Wisconsin
The Badgers got a break when Jim Leonhard turned down the opportunity to be the Packers’ defensive coordinator. Leonhard’s star is obviously rising, and he has a ton to work with here in the B1G’s best group of linebackers (Jack Sanborn, Noah Burks, Leo Chenal and Nick Herbig are all returning starters) and one of the top secondaries. The only question mark is up front.
1. Iowa
The Hawkeyes develop players on defense as well as any team in the Big Ten, and they have great continuity, with defensive coordinator Phil Parker having been on staff since 1999. The last 3 years, as offenses have gotten better, Iowa’s defense has gotten to another level, averaging fewer than 314 yards allowed per game each season. The Hawkeyes are coming off a season in which they allowed an FBS-best 4.34 yards per play.
Ryan O'Gara is the lead columnist for Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RyanOGara.