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ESPN’s SP+ projects B1G to have nation’s top 2 defenses in 2021
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ESPN’s Bill Connelly published his preseason SP+ projections on Friday, and it includes a pair of Big Ten teams atop the defensive standings.
SP+ has Iowa at No. 1 and Wisconsin at No. 2 for the whole country in preseason defensive SP+.
Connelly’s preseason projections rely on three main elements: Returning production, recent results and recent recruiting.
Both Big Ten West foes check every box, and it explains why the Hawkeyes and Badgers are atop this leaderboard going into Week 1. Iowa finished last season with the nation’s No. 2 defense and Wisconsin was No. 4, per SP+.
Overall, Wisconsin is ranked No. 6 in these preseason SP+ rankings while Iowa is down at No. 16. The big difference comes on the offensive side of the ball, where the Badgers are projected at No. 32 and the Hawkeyes at No. 56.
Ohio State is the No. 1 SP+ defense, which means the Big Ten has the nation’s top two units going into Week 1.
Iowa and Wisconsin play each other on Oct. 30 in Madison.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.