After a COVID-shortened 2020 season, the Big Ten was back in full force last year. The conference finished the season with 3 teams ranked in the top 10 and was highlighted by Michigan's first conference championship since 2004. In addition to the Big Ten championship, the Wolverines finally beat Ohio State after an 8-game, 3,653-day losing streak – which could have added fuel to the Buckeyes' fire coming into this season.
Ohio State finished 6th in the final rankings after a win over Utah in the Rose Bowl, but I cannot help but think the Michigan loss will be added motivation for CJ Stroud and the Buckeyes. Mel Tucker's Spartans went from 2-5 in the COVID-19-shortened season to 11-2 last season and finished 9th in the country. Iowa, who lost to Michigan in the Big Ten championship, was the final team in the Big Ten to finish in the top 25. Purdue, Wisconsin, and Minnesota each finished 9-4 overall, and it was especially impressive for the Boilermakers – who surpassed 8 wins for the first time since 2003 and just the fourth time in 40+ seasons.
While Michigan and Penn State should make some noise, the Big Ten East runs through Columbus this season. The Buckeyes are heavy favorites to make it back to Indianapolis after a year removed. The West should make for a more exciting race than the East, as there is not a clear-cut favorite in the division. Can Iowa defend their Big Ten West title? Or will Wisconsin, Purdue, Nebraska, or, perhaps, Minnesota have something to say about it?'
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