Big Ten football power rankings for 2023 season: Michigan, Ohio State battle for No. 1

College Football HQ previews what to expect in the Big Ten this season with an early look at the conference power rankings

The third time could be the charm for Michigan, which comes into the 2023 college football season as the presumptive favorite to once again win the Big Ten football championship, according to the votes cast by the media in the preseason poll. But will the Wolverines be able to parlay that confidence into a third straight College Football Playoff appearance, or finally earn a berth in the national championship game?

Ohio State finds itself playing second-fiddle to its arch-rival again, earning eight votes to win the East Division compared with Michigan's 27, and Penn State got two votes in the division title race. In the West, it's a two-team race between presumptive favorite Wisconsin, which received 20 votes, and Iowa (16). Minnesota received one vote.

Now, College Football HQ takes a stab at predicting the Big Ten power rankings as we move closer to the 2023 season.

Big Ten football power rankings for 2023 season

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14. Northwestern

Where Northwestern was: 1-11 (1-8 Big Ten), 7th in West

Big Ten West projection: 7th

Where Northwestern is now: Starting from scratch basically after dumping long-time coach Pat Fitzgerald amid a hazing scandal and looking to install a new coaching staff under interim David Braun while trying to squeeze something, anything, out of an offense that posted all of 13.8 points per game last season, and now looking ahead to a very tough schedule.

13. Indiana

Where Indiana was: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten), 6th in East

Big Ten East projection: 7th

Where Indiana is now: Tom Allen is under serious pressure this fall after posting two losing seasons. To that end, he brought in over a dozen transfer portal additions to help beef up the offense, including quarterback Tayven Jackson. But the bigger questions surround a defense that last season was the worst in the Big Ten, especially looking at a very difficult early season schedule.

12. Rutgers

Where Rutgers was: 4-8 (1-8 Big Ten), 7th in East

Big Ten East projection: 6th

Where Rutgers is now: Greg Schiano is yet to produce a winning season in three attempts, but has a shot to be 3-0 heading into the Michigan game looking at the early slate. Gavin Wimsatt needs to take a big step forward at quarterback after posting under 45 percent completion a year ago in six starts, and in total the Scarlet Knights' offense was just 124th overall by scoring under 18 points per game. There's plenty of room for improvement for new coordinator Kirk Ciarocca.

11. Purdue

Where Purdue was: 8-6 (6-3 Big Ten), 1st in West

Big Ten West projection: 6th

Where Purdue is now: A year ago, the Boilermakers were champs in the division but since then have lost a ton, including head coach Jeff Brohm and the engine behind their offense, quarterback Aidan O'Connell. But new coach and former Purdue DC Ryan Walters brings on Texas transfer quarterback Hudson Card, who should help open things up offensively, while tailback Devin Mockobee returns after posting 968 yards and nine touchdowns to balance things out.

10. Michigan State

Where Michigan State was: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten), 5th in East

Big Ten East projection: 5th

Where Michigan State is now: There's plenty of uncertainty around the Spartans after the loss of quarterback Payton Thorne (to Auburn) and wideout Keon Coleman (to Florida State), among 20 players to leave the program. Head coach Mel Tucker suddenly finds himself on the hot seat just two years after posting an 11-2 record and signing a $95 million contract extension. Now he has to reinforce the foundation of a program that has declined seriously since then.

9. Nebraska

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Where Nebraska was: 4-8 (3-6 Big Ten), 6th in West

Big Ten West projection: 5th

Where Nebraska is now: Seemingly on a stronger footing after the landmark hiring of Matt Rhule, a head coach known for quick turnarounds at the college level, and who has energized the Cornhuskers' boosters and recruiting efforts. Any progress towards bowl eligibility will be welcome, and so far the offense at least looks like it's coming together after adding athletic quarterback Jeff Sims and returns running back Anthony Grant, who had over 900 yards last fall.

8. Illinois

Where Illinois was: 8-5 (5-4 Big Ten) 2nd in West

Big Ten West projection: 4th

Where Illinois is now: Ole Miss transfer quarterback Luke Altmyer steps in for Tommy DeVito and Reggie Love and Josh McCray for departing tailback Chase Brown, leaving head coach Bret Bielema with important questions to answer moving the ball, especially on the ground. But in the meantime, Illinois might have one of the most physically imposing defensive fronts in college football to work out from, even if the defense lost both its coordinator and its back-end defenders.

7. Minnesota

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Where Minnesota was: 9-4 (5-4 Big Ten), 4th in West

Big Ten West projection: 3rd

Where Minnesota is now: So far, PJ Fleck has kept the Gophers a winner in the record books, at least in four of the last five seasons, and is perfect so far in four bowl games. But now he loses the core of his offense as quarterback Tanner Morgan and back Mohamed Ibrahim are gone. Replacements include Athan Kaliakmanis under center and Sean Tyler in the backfield, while receivers like Chris Autman-Bell and Daniel Jackson should be able to test opposing defenses.

6. Maryland

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Where Maryland was: 8-5 (4-5 Big Ten), 4th in East

Big Ten East projection: 4th

Where Maryland is now: Taulia Tagovailoa has every chance to become the Big Ten's most productive overall passer again this season after going over 3,000 yards with 18 touchdowns a year ago. And the Terrapins' offense improved this offseason through the transfer portal by adding receivers Tyrese Chambers and Kaden Prather in addition to returning target Jeshaun Jones, Maryland's leader last fall. This team will be able to score — it played Ohio State very close last time out — but can it stop opponents at the line?

5. Iowa

Where Iowa was: 8-5 (5-4 Big Ten), 3rd in West

Big Ten West projection: 2nd

Where Iowa is now: There are few things more dependable in college football than the Hawkeyes' ability to play grinding defense, a year ago posting the Big Ten's best unit in yards and points allowed. But the performance of Brian Ferentz's offense has been the mirror opposite. In an effort to put some points on the board, Iowa brought on Michigan transfer quarterback Cade McNamara and tight end Erick All, who should pair well with Luke Lachey. Running back Kaleb Johnson returns after a 779 yard, six TD showing. This might be the year Iowa elbows its way back into the division title hunt.

4. Wisconsin

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Where Wisconsin was: 7-6 (4-5 Big Ten), 5th in West

Big Ten West projection: 1st

Where Wisconsin is now: Expect a very different looking Badgers team than the ones we've seen over the years as new head coach Luke Fickell, in tandem with coordinator Phil Longo, is ready to open things up in a major way. Transfer quarterback Tanner Mordecai, a 7,000-plus yard career passer, steps in to spread things out, and he'll have transfer receivers like Bryson Green and C.J. Williams. Wisconsin also returns thousand-yard rusher Braelon Allen to balance things out.

3. Penn State

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Where Penn State was: 11-2 (7-2 Big Ten), 3rd in East, Rose Bowl champion

Big Ten East projection: 3rd

Where Penn State is now: Preseason evaluations still keep the Nittany Lions in a solid third place here, but this team has the potential to change perceptions this season. It returns a productive duo in the backfield in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, plays solid on the line of scrimmage, and projects to be one of the nation's better front seven units. The bigger question is at quarterback, but with five-star Drew Allar stepping in, there's plenty of potential with this surrounding cast, in particular Olu Fashanu protecting his blind side. 

2. Ohio State

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Where Ohio State was: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten), 2nd in East, College Football Playoff semifinalist

Big Ten East projection: 2nd

Where Ohio State is now: After a decade of dominating The Game, now the Buckeyes are sitting behind arch-rival Michigan despite boasting some of college football's premier skill players. Quarterback and offensive line replacements are the big question, with Kyle McCord the favorite to succeed CJ Stroud. Ohio State returns the nation's top receiving corps, headlined by Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, and tailbacks TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams, and Dallan Hayden. Jim Knowles has the pieces to generate pressure in the front seven and the athletes to lock down the deep field, but this defense can't afford to allow as many big plays as it did last season. Another CFP berth is well within sight, provided Ryan Day can get the right play calls for the trip to Ann Arbor in November.

1. Michigan

Where Michigan was: 13-1 (9-0 Big Ten), Big Ten champion, College Football Playoff semifinalist

Big Ten East projection: 1st

Where Michigan is now: Suddenly looking at not having Jim Harbaugh on the sideline for the first month of the season after the NCAA accused him of providing false statements during an investigation into alleged recruiting violations. But the Wolverines return plenty of continuity all over the field, including at quarterback with J.J. McCarthy, and especially at running back as Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are both back in place behind center playing behind the back-to-back Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line. 

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