CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Four => Big Ten => Topic started by: ManHawk on August 31, 2026, 02:20:03 PM
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I will once again admit my pre-season power rankings are always wrong but I enjoy doing them anyway. My Big Ten pre-season Power Rankings are in a post below. What does everybody else think?
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1. Indiana - I admit I am breaking my number 1 rule, which is always rank Ohio St #1 until they lose. But i have bought in. In Curt Cignetti I trust (until the bubble bursts). All he does is win. Google it!
2. Oregon - This could be the year the Ducks put it all together
3. Ohio St - the consensus #1 in the pre-sesson polls but I am skeptical. Not the strongest finish last season. But still a solid bet to make the CFP.
4. USC - started week 0 with a win over SJSU, which is the game that replaced USC-Nortre Dame. Basically traded a loss for a win but not sure if that will impress the CFP committee.
5. Penn St - can PSU win with Iowa St's former coach, players and QB?
6. Michigan - how fast can Mich's new coach get Michigan up to speed?
7. Washington- could this be the year that Washington steps it up to next level?
8. Minnesota - thought the Gophers were under-rated last year.
9. Iowa - lost a lot on defense and OL and Iowa still doesnt know who its starting QB is. But they got 3 weeks of non-conference games to figure it out.
10. Illinois - could be a rebuilding year
11. Nebraska - not sure if the coach lasts the whole season, but a big buyout will probably keep him around
12. UCLA - New coach but UCLA feels like a sleeping giant ready to step it up, but nit till next year.
13. Rutgers - program just seems stuck near the bottom every year
14. Michigan St - Can Pat Fitsgerald win in the NIL era?
15. Wisconsin - Badgers are now spending money. Is it enough to save Fickel's job?
16. Northwestern - rolling out the new stadium. Could inspire NW to a few upsets?
17. MARYLAND - I predict MD"'s coach will be gone by the end of the season
18. PURDUE - They couldn't be any worse than last year, right?
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I will once again admit my pre-season power rankings are always wrong but I enjoy doing them anyway.
Sorry to hear that, the rest of us are dead on with our preseason rankings
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1) Ohio State: because they have a longer history of staying power than Indiana
2) Indiana: returning national champs
3) Oregon: so close so many times
4) Michigan: I hate this, but money talks, and USC has to travel too far
5) USC: money talks, but travel is hard
6) Iowa: just keeps going, and doing more with less
7) Illinois: Bret knows how to coach a team into this position, and they are spending the right amount for it
8) Washington: don't sleep on the Huskies
9) Penn State: I don't expect an immediate turnaround, but Campbell did more with the Cyclones than he had any right to
10) Minnesota: PJ knows mediocre
11) Nebraska: spending more money, need to win more games
12) Michigan State: not spending the money, but Fitzgerald has a chip on his shoulder and can coach
13) Wisconsin: this is too low for the money spent, but I've seen the coaching for the last three seasons
14) UCLA: have to go somewhere
15) Northwestern: why not?
16) Purdue: sure
17) Maryland: but will be top 10 in September
18) Rutgers: because I feel like it
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18. PURDUE - They couldn't be any worse than last year, right?
(https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUyZmp2ZThxaW1ua3F4bHh3MmE1cXNkbWJ3c2Q4bzB5YWVnMmZwczJwNiZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/AWv3UAFkgz39u/giphy.gif)
It's really sad to be pretty much consensus projected to be the 17th or 18th team...
...in the Big TEN.
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1. Indiana - I admit I am breaking my number 1 rule, which is always rank Ohio St #1 until they lose. But i have bought in. In Curt Cignetti I trust (until the bubble bursts). All he does is win. Google it!
2. Oregon - This could be the year the Ducks put it all together
3. Ohio St - the consensus #1 in the pre-sesson polls but I am skeptical. Not the strongest finish last season. But still a solid bet to make the CFP.
4. USC - started week 0 with a win over SJSU, which is the game that replaced USC-Nortre Dame. Basically traded a loss for a win but not sure if that will impress the CFP committee.
5. Penn St - can PSU win with Iowa St's former coach, players and QB?
6. Michigan - how fast can Mich's new coach get Michigan up to speed?
7. Washington- could this be the year that Washington steps it up to next level?
8. Minnesota - thought the Gophers were under-rated last year.
9. Iowa - lost a lot on defense and OL and Iowa still doesnt know who its starting QB is. But they got 3 weeks of non-conference games to figure it out.
10. Illinois - could be a rebuilding year
11. Nebraska - not sure if the coach lasts the whole season, but a big buyout will probably keep him around
12. UCLA - New coach but UCLA feels like a sleeping giant ready to step it up, but nit till next year.
13. Rutgers - program just seems stuck near the bottom every year
14. Michigan St - Can Pat Fitsgerald win in the NIL era?
15. Wisconsin - Badgers are now spending money. Is it enough to save Fickel's job?
16. Northwestern - rolling out the new stadium. Could inspire NW to a few upsets?
17. MARYLAND - I predict MD"'s coach will be gone by the end of the season
18. PURDUE - They couldn't be any worse than last year, right?
Pretty good best guess. I would put Oregon 1st and then the Hoosiers- but that’s just a guess. I like Oregon as a good chance to win it all.
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- OHIO STATE - Best roster, returning QB
- OREGON - Second best roster, better returning QB
- INDIANA - oddly this is their best transfer QB, and yet he has the biggest shoes to fill
- USC - if USC doesn't make the CFP, Riley might be done
- PENN STATE - curious to see what Campbell can do with PSU's money
- MICHIGAN - I think Whittingham has a limited ceiling, but a very high floor
- IOWA - roster is strong, need a QB
- WASHINGTON - might have the most underrated QB in the nation, but not sure what's around him
- NEBRASKA - losing your QB to be a backup in conference might be the expectation reset Nebraska needs
- ILLINOIS - missed opportunity last year
- WISCONSIN - apparently the highest jump in payroll from last year, putting them this low may look stupid
- MARYLAND - strong in the skill positions, bowl bid depends on the trench play
- NORTHWESTERN - probably another 6 or 7 win season
- UCLA - sad that they upgraded by adding JMU players, but we saw it 2 years ago
- RUTGERS - see Maryland
- MICHIGAN STATE - opposite of Maryland/Rutgers, better on the lines, but no gamebreakers
- MINNESOTA - probably Fleck's last year
- PURDUE - mess
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3. Ohio St - the consensus #1 in the pre-sesson polls but I am skeptical. Not the strongest finish last season. But still a solid bet to make the CFP.
I think both of these statements might be overblown.
"Not the strongest finish last season".
Yes, the Buckeyes finished with back-to-back losses and nobody in Columbus is happy about that BUT, they lost to the two teams that played for the NC and both losses were close.
Indiana:
The Buckeyes missed a 27 yard FG with just under two minutes to play in a game they lost 13-10. Even after the missed FG they forced IU to punt, got the ball back, and drove to the IU 39 but simply ran out of time.
Miami:
It ended up as a 10 point, 2-possession game but it came down to the final minutes. Miami's clinching TD came with less than a minute to play and with about half of the fourth quarter remaining the Buckeyes were down 3 and had the ball at roughly midfield. That fell apart, Maimi scored after the punt and viola, 10 point loss
I don't mean to take anything away from IU's and Miami's wins I'm just saying that the Buckeyes' two losses to end the season were far from 'bad' losses. They lost close games to the teams that ended up #1 and #2.
"(S)till a solid bet to make the CFP".
I hope you are right but this schedule has me spooked. I feel like Ohio State could actually be the best team in the country and still potentially miss the playoffs. They have road games against the preseason #5 (at Texas on 9/12), #6 (at Indiana on 10/17), #14 (at USC on 10/31), and #22 (at Iowa on 10/3) and they have two ranked teams at home. The Oregon game is a revenge game for the Ducks as the last meeting was Ohio State's blowout win in Pasadena when the Ducks were #1 and The Game is a revenge game for the Wolverines as the last meeting was a 27-9 tOSU win in Ann Arbor. Plus when you are #1 you are basically everybody's 'SuperBowl' all year long.
If the Buckeyes really are the best team they *should* find a way to navigate this slate with the requisite one or two losses to make the CFP but if they are actually more like #10 which is still a REALLY good team, they could easily end up 9-3 and sweating it out or 8-4 and out.
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OHIO STATE - Best roster, returning QB
OREGON - Second best roster, better returning QB
INDIANA - top 3 finish would be very impressive
WASHINGTON - great QB, plenty of talent
USC - ton of talent
MICHIGAN - Whittingham is solid
IOWA - lost a bunch from last season but Kirk and Phil know what they're doing, need a QB
PENN STATE - not sure Iowa State's players are up to a top 5 finish
NEBRASKA - the UNLV transfer QB, new D-coordinator, and especially the new Oline coach might cause a jump O:-)
ILLINOIS - lost quite a bit
WISCONSIN - Fickell needs to do better
MINNESOTA - Fleck's not getting the $$$
MARYLAND - strong in the skill positions
NORTHWESTERN
UCLA
RUTGERS
MICHIGAN STATE
PURDUE
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I have no idea who is on what team anymore, including many on my own.
Can't do this one now. Maybe I'll start in October.
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- Indiana: The be the man, you've got to beat the man.
- Oregon: A lot to like, but they did lose both their coordinators.
- OSU: Defense lost some mutants.
- Michigan: Run the ball and play defense.
- Penn State: Honestly no idea who is on their team but does that matter
- Iowa: Good ole Iowa
- USC: Just not sold on them
- Washington: Hopefully the QB is all in
- Nebraska: Should be solid at least
- Illinois: Bert should also be solid
- Northwestern: Let's go Chip
- UCLA: I like the vibes
- Wisconsin: Fickell has to field a competent team by accident at some point
- Minnesota: Feels low but they haven't been much lately
- Rutgers: Not a shabby outfit anymore
- Maryland: Shabby but experienced
- MSU
- Purdue
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MINNESOTA - probably Fleck's last year
Want to elaborate?
Unless he resigns, his seat is ice cold. And the last coach to go from here to somewhere that meant anything was Lou Holtz, and that move happened when I was still in diapers.
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Yeah, looking at PJ Fleck's resume at Minnesota, he may be the greatest coach the U has had since the 1960s.
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the only guy doing more with less than Ferentz
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I have no idea who is on what team anymore, including many on my own.
Can't do this one now. Maybe I'll start in October.
everyone should wait until late October
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everyone should wait until late October
Yep, but this is fun.
(https://i.imgur.com/taoNWIK.png)
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agreed
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Want to elaborate?
Unless he resigns, his seat is ice cold. And the last coach to go from here to somewhere that meant anything was Lou Holtz, and that move happened when I was still in diapers.
If they finish #17, where I had them
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you're obviously a much better prognosticator than I, but that would seem unlikely
I could see #15 as a bottom for the boat rower
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1. Oregon
2. Ohio State
3. Indiana
4. Michigan
5. USC
6. Washington
7. Iowa
8. Penn State
9. Nebraska
10. Illinois
11. Maryland
12. Wisconsin
13. Rutgers
14. Michigan State
15. Minnesota
16. UCLA
17. Northwestern
18. Purdue
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I'll get around to scribbling a list but the Hoosiers are believed to have helped themselves the most in the portal along with Texas and LSU. Plus being the reigning CFB Champs they're going number 1. And evidently PSU did well also along with a weaker schedule they could be in the discussion at the end of the season
On the national scene supposedly in the portal LSU added the no.1 O-lineman in the country and the no.1 QB available along with the no. 1 pass rusher in the country and I hate Lane Kiffin and that punchable face. So I'm getting a Ouija board,some garlic, a crucifix and contacting Pedro Cerrano so both Jobu and Joey Freshwater can both bark at the moon
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I have no idea who is on what team anymore, including many on my own.
Can't do this one now. Maybe I'll start in October.
I have to confess I enjoy guessing at the power rankings more in the early weeks simply because there is so little info to base them on, which can lead to some interesting rankings.
By November everybody is pretty much agreeing with each other. Or at least by then you know the top 2 or 3 teams.
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Iowa State went 5-4 in the Big 12 last year. Penn State might be a little overrated in this thing.
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I have to confess I enjoy guessing at the power rankings more in the early weeks simply because there is so little info to base them on, which can lead to some interesting rankings.
By November everybody is pretty much agreeing with each other. Or at least by then you know the top 2 or 3 teams.
I feel like my estimation is about the same as the national writers, and less biased than the beat writers. I'm comfortable with it. (And I know it's not worth the 1s and 0s its written in.)
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- Oregon
- Ohio State
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Iowa
- Washington
- USC
- Illinois
- Penn State
- Nebraska
- Minnesota
- UCLA
- Wisconsin
- Maryland
- Northwestern
- Rutgers
- Michigan State
- Purdue
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Hell yeah, LGP. Let's go, Clarksville!
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Hell yeah, LGP. Let's go, Clarksville!
Clarksvegas in the fall is beautiful. The light of the Atlantic Sun shineth upon Wilma Rudolph Boulevard.
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I liked Clarksville most of the year. Occasionally got a little too hot, and sometimes too cold. The tornados in 1999 were a bit of a drag. But I enjoyed my time there.
Happy to see that the Blackhorse Pub is still there. I took a bunch of photos of the railroad bridge near Crossland when I was in my film photography stage. I love a good bridge over a river.
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I liked Clarksville most of the year. Occasionally got a little too hot, and sometimes too cold. The tornados in 1999 were a bit of a drag. But I enjoyed my time there.
Still one of the craziest mornings of my life. My car broke down on the way to student teaching in Nashville that morning. As that was the pre-mobile internet days, I had no idea there were tornadoes until I was on the road and heard about it on the radio. When I was finally able to call the school to let them know my car was broke down on the side of I-24, the secretary started crying. They thought I had been killed or injured in the tornado.
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I woke with a start because my power was out. Naturally I assumed I was late for work, so I jumped in my car and started driving through crazy howling wind. I had NPR on and there was an emergency announcement that recommended people in cars get under bridges. I pulled over under the aforementioned railroad bridge. After the winds died down a bit--it was early morning (I wasn't late for work)--I drove the rest of the way to the post, where the front gate had been blown away. Learned once I got there that Post was closed for the day. Lots of us from Fort Campbell volunteered in the cleanup the following few days. It was wild.
Part of my journey as an amateur photographer is having pictures of the UMC church before and after the tornado. I'll see if I can dig them up...
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(https://i.imgur.com/QgjN2MU.png)
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I'll give this a shot
1)Hoosiers - They are loaded with talent again from reports,so they get the target circled on them.After what Cignetti proved IU is one of the Big Ten's heavyweights until proven otherwise. The reigning national champions have reloaded from the portal adding former TCU QB Josh Hoover to replace #1 NFL pick Fernando Mendoza. Also adding Michigan State WR transfer Nick Marsh another solid pick up
2)Ducks - one of the best QBs in the BIG and a nasty looking D. They return all four defensive line starters from a season ago but the O-line may have some question marks. Phil Knight has been spending right there with Mark Cuban keeping their programs presentable
3)Bucks - They're in the mix for sure, but who is going to fill in for Carnell Tate selected no.4 in the enire draft?Probably 5* true freshman Chris Henry Jr to pair up with Jeremiah Smith. Also the defense loses alot to the NFL, Ohio State's Arvell Reese no.5, Sonny Styles no.7, Caleb Downs no.11 went all in the 1st rd of the NFL draft. Though Matt Patricia has proved very capable with adjusting that's still a tall order
4) University of Spoilt Children - Lincoln Riley should shake things up enough that the Fans just might come out. Could be a make or break year for Riley not quite sure what he's done for that defense
5)Meecheegan - they're playing the no.10 ranked Sooners at home in week two, so that should tell us a little something.If Underwood under center can find a consistent passing game they could be big trouble and KW has brought somes dudes from Utah with him
6) Ninnies - I'm going out on a limb here as many like their softer schedule as they don't play Indiana,Ducks or Bucks. And Matt Campell IMHO was as good as pick up in the HC dept.as KW in AA. According to reports MC has brought in 45 transfers and some staff and players from the Cyclones. This is hard to assess, but I think they will surprise a lot of people
7)Fighting Ferentz's - one guy covering CFb said - Is it 2009 or 2026 in Iowa City? Nobody really knows 😁 But hey if it ain't broke don't fix it at least they are consistent. Hawkeyes are going to play defense, avoid beating themselves and turn games into a tug of war. Big question is QB but the front line is solid again.
8) Huskies - QB Demond Williams almost reneged on a 4 million dollar deal attempting to enter the portal. Threat of legal action kept him there so it's not like the rest of the team feels he has their backs. From the little I've read both of their lines could be suspect.Starting Sept 26 they play The Goophs,Trojans and Iowa all in a row but two of those at home. But they do play Penn St/Indiana/Oregon later
9)Illini - prolly neck and neck here with the Goophs, Bielema has lost quite a bit from 2025 but enough of a foundation that Chief Illiniwek should stick around
10) Golden Gophers from reading the tea leaves the defense could have some talent/traction but the O-line might have some holes. But this squad has been consistent under Fleck like him or not.
the rest
11)UNL
12)UCLA
13)UW due or die for Fickell
14)NU
15)Terps
16)Sparty
17)New Jersey State
18) Good Luck Purdue
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Massey composite - 42 computers
- OHIO STATE
- OREGON
- Notre Dame
- INDIANA
- Georgia
- Miami
- Texas
- Texas Tech
- Ole Miss
- Alabama
- Texas A&M
- Oklahoma
- BYU
- MICHIGAN
- USC
- Utah
- PENN STATE
- WASHINGTON
- IOWA
- Tennessee
- LSU
- SMU
- Missouri
- Vanderbilt
- Louisville
27. Illinois
38. Nebraska
43. Minnesota
46. Wisconsin
49. Northwestern
60. UCLA
62. Rutgers
66. Maryland
73. Michigan State
85. Purdue
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So if we did tiers like we used to do with BB:
- Tier 1
- OHIO STATE
- OREGON
- INDIANA
- Tier 2
- MICHIGAN
- USC
- PENN STATE
- WASHINGTON
- IOWA
27. Illinois - Not sure if they are a straggler in tier-2 or the leader in tier-3
Tier 3:
38. Nebraska
43. Minnesota
46. Wisconsin
49. Northwestern
Tier 4:
60. UCLA
62. Rutgers
66. Maryland
73. Michigan State
Tier 4:
85. Purdue
Using that tier system Ohio State would be projected to lose:
- at Iowa on 10/3
- at Indiana on 10/17
- at USC on 10/31
Plus they'd be projected to lose the OOC road game at Texas on 9/12 to finish 8-4/6-3 despite being a top-tier team with a 1-1 record against the other two tier-1 teams.
Looking at the teams in the top two tiers that way, projected league records are:
- 7-2 Oregon losses @USC and @tOSU
- 7-2 Indiana losses @M, @UDub
- 7-2 Illinois (in tier-2) losses @tOSu and @NU
- 6-3 Ohio State losses @Iowa, @IU, @USC
- 6-3 Michigan losses @MN, @Ore, @tOSU
- 6-3 USC losses @PSU, @UW, @IU
- 6-3 Penn State losses @NU, @M, @UDub
- 6-3 Washington losses @USC, @UNL, @Ore
- 4-5 Iowa losses @M, @UDub, @MN, @NU, @IL
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So if we did tiers like we used to do with BB:Using that tier system Ohio State would be projected to lose:
- at Iowa on 10/3
- at Indiana on 10/17
- at USC on 10/31
Plus they'd be projected to lose the OOC road game at Texas on 9/12 to finish 8-4/6-3 despite being a top-tier team with a 1-1 record against the other two tier-1 teams.
Looking at the teams in the top two tiers that way, projected league records are:
- 7-2 Oregon losses @USC and @tOSU
- 7-2 Indiana losses @M, @UDub
- 7-2 Illinois (in tier-2) losses @tOSu and @NU
- 6-3 Ohio State losses @Iowa, @IU, @USC
- 6-3 Michigan losses @MN, @Ore, @tOSU
- 6-3 USC losses @PSU, @UW, @IU
- 6-3 Penn State losses @NU, @M, @UDub
- 6-3 Washington losses @USC, @UNL, @Ore
- 4-5 Iowa losses @M, @UDub, @MN, @NU, @IL
Just like 2017 for Iowa. Somehow Iowa beats Ohio St in iowa City but ends up 4-5 in conference play. God I hope that does not mean the Pinstripe bowl again for the Hawkeyes.
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So if we did tiers like we used to do with BB:Using that tier system Ohio State would be projected to lose:
- at Iowa on 10/3
- at Indiana on 10/17
- at USC on 10/31
Plus they'd be projected to lose the OOC road game at Texas on 9/12 to finish 8-4/6-3 despite being a top-tier team with a 1-1 record against the other two tier-1 teams.
Looking at the teams in the top two tiers that way, projected league records are:
- 7-2 Oregon losses @USC and @tOSU
- 7-2 Indiana losses @M, @UDub
- 7-2 Illinois (in tier-2) losses @tOSu and @NU
- 6-3 Ohio State losses @Iowa, @IU, @USC
- 6-3 Michigan losses @MN, @Ore, @tOSU
- 6-3 USC losses @PSU, @UW, @IU
- 6-3 Penn State losses @NU, @M, @UDub
- 6-3 Washington losses @USC, @UNL, @Ore
- 4-5 Iowa losses @M, @UDub, @MN, @NU, @IL
In way too early bowl projections, this result may mean:
Oregon - CFP
IIndiana - CFP
Ohio St - citrus
Illinois - Reliaquest (Tampa)
Michigan - Music City
USC - Alamo
Penn St - Las Vegas
Wash - Holiday
Iowa - Duke's Mayo
Minn - Pinstripe
Neb - Cactus
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nobody wants the pinstripe, except for Rutgers
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nobody wants the pinstripe, except for Rutgers
not sure they will get eligible this season
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nobody wants the pinstripe, except for Rutgers
At this point I'd be happy with it.
How far they have fallen.