Tier 1

These power rankings are drawn up completely independent of any S&P+ projections below; they are purely my opinions on matters. Typically, when compared to S&P+, my own rankings take shape like the NBA Lottery, with mostly the same order as what the numbers dictated and maybe one or two teams in completely different places.

That’s not really the case here. Things get a little shuffled around in Tier 3, but heading into 2017, I feel like the top four teams are pretty clearly the top four teams, and No. 5 feels pretty clear to me as well.

If anybody outside this top three wins the conference, it would be a surprise.

Tier 2

If anybody outside this top four wins the conference, it would be a stunner.

Tier 3

Here’s where things get messy.

Wisconsin is vulnerable to be challenged by somebody in the West, but I go back and forth on who that is. I think Northwestern has the highest floor, Nebraska has the highest ceiling, Minnesota (with its massive change in coach and personality) has the widest range between ceiling and floor, and Iowa has the smallest range.

Basically, teams 5-8 occupy exactly the same space to me, but thanks to continuity, I trust Northwestern a hair more than the others. Which makes that September 30 Northwestern-Wisconsin game pretty big.

Tier 4

I love Purdue’s hire, and I think Rutgers could threaten six wins in 2018. But this group starts a few steps behind the others.

How does S&P+ see things?

Here’s how my statistical system has the Big Ten laid out for 2017, with zero equating to an average FBS team. (You can find full 2017 S&P+ projections here.)

2017 projected standings (per S&P+)

Projected conference wins, with overall wins in parentheses.

East

• Ohio State: 7.6 (10.2)
• Penn State: 6.8 (9.6)
• Michigan: 6.5 (8.9)
• Indiana: 4.3 (6.6)
• Michigan State: 3.9 (5.7)*
• Maryland: 2.4 (4.1)
• Rutgers: 2.1 (3.7)

West

• Wisconsin: 7.1 (9.7)
• Northwestern: 4.9 (7.2)
• Minnesota: 4.5 (6.6)
• Nebraska: 4.4 (6.3)
• Iowa: 3.8 (5.9)
• Illinois: 2.5 (3.7)
• Purdue: 2.4 (3.4)

Three top-10 teams in the East, one top-35 team in the West. Now seems like a good time to remind everyone that we should get rid of divisions. Just scrap them altogether. Pods are the future.

How these teams looked in 2016

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Big Ten offenses heading into 2017

Penn State was one of the most fascinating teams in the country last year. You aren’t supposed to be able to live on inefficiency and explosiveness.

Best 2017 offensive players by team (best overall in bold):

• Illinois: RB Kendrick Foster
• Indiana: WR Simmie Cobbs Jr.
• Iowa: RB Akrum Wadley
• Maryland: RB Ty Johnson
• Michigan: OT Mason Cole
• Michigan State: C Brian Allen
• Minnesota: RB Rodney Smith
• Nebraska: WR Stanley Morgan
• Northwestern: RB Justin Jackson
• Ohio State: QB J.T. Barrett
• Penn State: RB Saquon Barkley
• Purdue: QB David Blough
• Rutgers: RB Robert Martin
• Wisconsin: TE Troy Fumagalli

Lots of exciting skill guys. Lots of unproven quarterbacks getting them the ball.

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Big Ten defenses

Rutgers and Purdue made every offense look like Penn State’s.

Best 2017 defensive players by team (best overall in bold):

• Illinois: CB Jaylen Dunlap
• Indiana: LB Tegray Scales
• Iowa: LB Josey Jewell
• Maryland: DE Jesse Aniebonam
• Michigan: LB Mike McCray
• Michigan State: DT Raequan Williams
• Minnesota: DT Steven Richardson
• Nebraska: S Joshua Kalu
• Northwestern: S Godwin Igwebuike
• Ohio State: DE Tyquan Lewis
• Penn State: LB Jason Cabinda
• Purdue: LB Markus Bailey
• Rutgers: CB Blessuan Austin
• Wisconsin: LB Jack Cichy

Indiana might have the best defensive player in the conference, Maryland nearly has the best offensive player in the conference, Nebraska’s best offensive player is a receiver, and it was hard finding a worthy Michigan State defender for this list. 2017 is weird, man.