B1G Week 1 Power Rankings: East dominating the top of the conference
It’s here! Game week has finally arrived. After such a long offseason, B1G football will finally be back on our television screens this week.
You know what that means? It’s also time for the first B1G power rankings of the 2019 season.
I’ll keep it brief, but I feel like I need explain what you’re about to read. Since we haven’t seen much from any of the 14 teams outside of a spring game and maybe a little practice, these rankings are projections on where I feel each team stands headed into the season. Last season doesn’t have much to do with anything.
There’s a good chance that these rankings are drastically different after a weekend full of football. Or, who knows, maybe I’ll hit the nail right on the head on the first try (probably not).
Now that I’ve provided a brief explanation, here are the first B1G power rankings of the 2019 season:
14. Maryland (vs. Howard)
The announcement that Josh Jackson has won the starting quarterback job is a step up for the Terrapins, but there are too many questions along the offensive line and the defensive side of the football right now. The change in coaching staff and scheme is also at play here, too. Yes, the Terrapins have plenty of playmakers on offense, but will they be able to get the ball in space? Maybe I’ll change my mind after they play Howard, but for now, Maryland is in the final spot.
13. Rutgers (vs. UMass)
Yeah, that’s right, I don’t have Rutgers in last place. I can see your eyebrows raised and your finger scratching your head, but I don’t care. The Scarlet Knights have depth at quarterback, some really good talent in the backfield and some playmakers at receiver. Plus, for the first time in a decade, the same offensive coordinator is in Piscataway as was the previous season. That counts for something, doesn’t it? A lot could change for Rutgers in Week 1, though. Friday night’s game against UMass is absolutely a must-win situation for Chris Ash and the Knights.
12. Purdue (at Nevada)
Considering the amount of attention Rondale Moore and the incoming Purdue receivers are getting across the B1G landscape, having the Boilermakers at No. 12 probably isn’t going to be a popular pick. But the offensive line and running back positions are really green and quarterback Elijah Sindelar has battled injuries the past two seasons. The defense will be the strength for Purdue this season, but even Jeff Brohm has said it’s not nearly as good as 2017. That may not bode well for the Boilermakers, particularly early in the year as the offense is still gelling.
11. Illinois (vs. Akron)
Call me crazy, but I think Illinois makes a big leap in Lovie Smith’s fourth season. Like, could go bowling type of leap. With Reggie Corbin and Mike Epstein in the backfield and some really talented incoming receivers, the Illini could have a sneaky-good offense with Rod Smith calling the shots. Oh, and this former four-star quarterback named Brandon Peters is now under center — which has been a position of concern in Champaign for some time. If the Illini can get that “Lovie Ball” attitude, this could be a very dangerous team. Maybe not challenging for a division title, but maybe pull off a surprising upset somewhere along the way.
10. Indiana (vs. Ball State)
Indiana likes to do this thing where it has all of us believing that “this is the year” for the Hoosiers. It’s college football’s version of the Chicago Cubs pre-World Series. IU has the talent at the skill positions to compete with anyone in the B1G, but the grueling schedule the B1G East presents has always been a challenge for the Hoosiers. But Kalen DeBoer is running the offense and Michael Penix is now the starting quarterback. Stevie Scott is one of the most underrated backs in the B1G and Nick Westbrook leads a group of really talented receivers. Defensively, the Hoosiers have been pretty sound under Allen’s guidance. This could finally be the year Indiana gets to the postseason and, dare I say, wins a bowl game?
9. Nebraska (vs. South Alabama)
Yeah, I’m just not as high on the Huskers as everyone else. And I’ll admit, I’m willing to eat some crow if Nebraska proves me wrong. This is a team capable of doubling its win total with Scott Frost’s offense and Adrian Martinez under center. But the offense is all we’ve talked about in regards to the team in Lincoln. There are still some major concerns on the defensive side of the ball, including a thin linebacker group and inconsistent play up front. The Huskers should have a talented secondary, but will they get torched on the ground again this year? That could be the difference between a B1G West title and a run-of-the-mill 7-5 season.
8. Northwestern (at #25 Stanford)
So much disrespect for Northwestern following a season in which it won a division title. Yes, I’m part of the problem. The Wildcats probably have some of the B1G’s most underrated defensive players in defensive lineman Joe Gaziano, linebackers Paddy Fisher and Blake Gallagher and defensive backs JR Pace and Travis Whitlock. This group has the potential to be an excellent defensive unit, even for Pat Fitzgerald’s standards. If Hunter Johnson is as good as advertised, the Wildcats will have no trouble climbing really high in these rankings in a hurry.
7. Wisconsin (at USF)
Jonathan Taylor is the reason why everyone believes Wisconsin is still in the mix to win a division title this year. Well that, and the fact that the Badgers have seemingly established a second residence in downtown Indianapolis. Wisconsin is relatively inexperienced on the offensive line and at the quarterback position. But do you really expect them to play poorly up front? And starter Jack Coan will have plenty of targets with an above average receiving group and some solid options at tight end. The question for the Badgers is consistency. That usually an issue for younger, inexperienced teams, and there is some youth at important spots in Madison.
6. Minnesota (vs. South Dakota State)
The oars are out and the boat is in the water. Minnesota is another team with the potential to make a big leap in P.J. Fleck’s third season (and is my pick to win the West). While the Gophers return one of the best running back and receiver groups in the B1G — along with a strong offensive line and a better defensive scheme — this is another young team. Just ask Fleck and he’ll tell you about it. At length. With the size, talent and scheme, the Gophers have more than enough in the livewell to win a division title — especially with a pretty forgiving schedule. Like Wisconsin, consistency on a week-to-week basis is a concern for Minnesota.
5. Iowa (vs. Miami (OH))
Nate Stanley is a three-year starting quarterback. A.J. Epenesa is a top 10 NFL Draft pick. The offensive and defensive lines are in pretty solid shape. On paper, Iowa is the team to beat in the B1G West. It could easily be one of the best three teams in the conference, too. Where things get a little tricky are at the skill positions — there’s some good pieces with Brandon Smith and Ihmir Smith-Marsette at receiver and Mekhi Sargent and Toren Young at running back. Depth behind those guys is where the question marks start to filter in. Plus, the Hawkeyes play some of their biggest games on the road, traveling to Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Nebraska. Heading into the season, Iowa has arguably the most talent in the West. But skill position play and a rough road schedule could prevent the Hawkeyes from making the trip to Indianapolis.
4. Penn State (vs. Idaho)
Not many are considering Penn State as a true contender in the East considering all it lost a year ago. I guess by having them at No. 4 behind three other division opponents, I’m not helping the case. Like a lot of teams in the B1G, this is a young squad replacing a lot of production from last season. The lack of experience, particularly on the offensive side, is a major concern for the Nittany Lions. But James Franklin may have one of the best defenses he’s ever had in Happy Valley, especially on the line with Jayson Oweh and Yetur Gross-Matos. From a pure talent standpoint, Penn State can compete with anyone in the conference. I just don’t think they’re quite god enough to win a division title yet.
3. Ohio State (vs. FAU)
Hands down, the most talented roster in the B1G. Of course, that’s the case every year. It’s also why the Buckeyes are pursuing their third-straight conference title. So why are they at No. 3? Maybe it’s just me, but a coaching change, alongside a brand new quarterback and an unproven defense just doesn’t scream 12-0 to me. Obviously, talent alone will be enough for the Buckeyes to win a good chunk of their games in 2019. How will they handle some of the better defenses this year, though? Especially the likes of Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan State and Michigan? For those reasons, the Buckeyes are at No. 3. This is still a team capable of winning 10 games, though.
2. Michigan State (vs. Tulsa)
It’s probably pretty weird to have a team that finished 7-6 last season and produced one of the worst offensive seasons of the Mark Dantonio era so high on this list, but here we are. I just can’t imagine Michigan State’s offense will be as bad as it was last year. You know what I can imagine, though? The Spartans defense will be just as good as it was in 2018, and that’s not good for the rest of the B1G. Michigan State has talent on the defensive line, at the linebacker spot and in the secondary — potentially having All-B1G selections in all three areas. If the offense is even 50 percent better than it was a year ago, the Spartans are heading into November with a chance to win the division and make a return trip to Indianapolis.
1. Michigan (vs. Middle Tennessee)
Maybe I give in to peer pressure too easily, but Michigan has to be the favorite right now. Josh Gattis running the offense is a big-time addition. The Wolverines have the best offensive line in the B1G and some of the best playmakers at the receiver position in Tarik Black, Nico Collins and Donovan Peoples-Jones. With an experienced quarterback like Shea Patterson, this can be a special year in Ann Arbor. Nobody is talking about the defense, and there are some minor concerns. While the Wolverines are loaded at linebacker with Khaleke Hudson and Josh Uche, the defensive line lost its emotional leader in Chase Winovich and former five-star product Rashan Gary. Those guys are tough to replace. I trust Don Brown to have the defense ready to go, though, and UM has the most well-rounded team in the B1G heading into the season.