2023 Power Rankings: Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State Lead a Top-Heavy Big Ten

The college football season is fast approaching and will be here in the blink of an eye. We have gotten a good look at teams during spring ball and can now start comparing and contrasting these teams. Let’s take a look at my power rankings for the Big Ten heading into 2023.

1. Michigan

The Wolverines remain atop the list, as they have beaten archrival Ohio State and made the CFP in two consecutive seasons. They return HC Jim Harbaugh, QB JJ McCarthy, and two stud running backs in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Michigan brings in arguably the best OL in the nation to go with a defense that is loaded with talent from back to front.

They will get Ohio State back in Ann Arbor at the end of November, which could be the key to a three-peat against their nemesis. I like them to not just make the College Football Playoff but into the title game as well.

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the offense against the Connecticut Huskies during the first half at Michigan Stadium, Saturday, September 17, 2022.

2. Ohio State

Ohio State will be battling for the top spot all season, but as of now, they sit at number two. My main worry with them is their quarterback situation. It looks like Kyle McCord‘s job to lose, and assuming he can get the ball to these talented receivers, the offense will once again be among the top in the nation.

It’ll come down to the game at the end of the season vs. the team up north. Get your popcorn ready.

Sep 24, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) runs during the second half of the NCAA Division I football game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 52-21.McCord

3. Penn State

Right behind the top two is Penn State. The Nittany Lions went 11-2 last season, with their only two losses being to Ohio State and Michigan. Sean Clifford is gone, but I love Drew Allar and believe he has all the tools to be an elite college quarterback. This could very well be the season where Penn State breaks through.

Nov 19, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at SHI Stadium.

4. Wisconsin

There is a huge drop-off after the top three, but I have Wisconsin as the fourth-best team in the conference. I love the hiring of Luke Fickell, and he’s had glowing reviews for SMU QB transfer Tanner Mordecai in his role as a leader on a revamped Badgers squad.

I have also recently seen the Badgers gain a little momentum on the recruiting trail, so while they won’t translate to the results on the field this fall, they look to be set up well for the future.

New Wisconsin head football coach Luke Fickell, right, poses with athletic director Chris McIntosh at a news conference introducing Fickell on Monday, November 28, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.

5. Iowa

I see Iowa improving drastically on offense in 2023. With the incentive in Kirk Ferentz‘s contract and the addition of quarterback Cade McNamara, they have no choice but to be better. In the wide-open Big Ten West, any number of teams can come out on top, including a Hawkeyes squad that always possesses a strong defense under coordinator Phil Parker.

This is the last year of divisions in the conference, so Iowa needs to take advantage of their last easy route to the championship game.