AP Ranking - the crystal ball - one year from today - Six B1G teams in the Top 10
I realize that polls really don't mean much, if anything, this time of the year. And, that we're one year away from the next version of the expanded B1G conference.
However, when looking into a "crystal ball" - and, theorizing that the teams which will be B1G members during the '24 season - would be ranked similarly to this season / week 3 AP poll - then, the B1G would have six (6) teams ranked in the Top 10. Those teams, with their AP ranking are as follows:
2 - Michigan
5 - USC
6 - Ohio State
7 - Penn State
8 - Washington
10 - Oregon
As the season progresses - conference games will result in losses and changes in rankings. I'm not suggesting or implying that the strength of the SEC will change, rather it would appear that for the time being - the B1G has a number of talented teams.
Obviously, there are players / leaders on several of those teams which, most likely, will not be part of their rosters next year. If there's depth and solid recruiting - perhaps this quality can be maintained.
P.S. - two other '24 B1G teams would be in the Top 25 - UCLA ranked 22nd and Iowa ranked 24th.
Do you have any thoughts / perspectives to share?
September 18th, 2023 at 12:49 PM ^
I believe (but could be wrong) that because this was announced before the additions of Oregon and Washington that those opponents will need to be re-worked.
September 18th, 2023 at 1:17 PM ^
I assumed because of the Washington/Oregon additions that changes would occur. I did see an article posted which showed some likely changes but we’ll see I guess
September 18th, 2023 at 11:26 AM ^
HAWT TAKE. Iowa should not be ranked.
They just won a game where they scored 41 points (somehow) and Cade McNamara was 9/19 for 103 yards (5.4 avg) with 2 TD and 2 INTs and a QBR of 14.9.
Their D is very good but this is same old Iowa.
September 18th, 2023 at 12:10 PM ^
I like Cade, and I will always credit him with being a fundamental part of our post-2020 turnaround. His jolting performance in that terrible Rutgers game made him Michigan's starting QB — a position he didn't relinquish until the 2022 season began, some 22 months later.
But ... his stat line and performance at Iowa really demonstrates how damned good the Michigan coaching staff, offensive line, and running game are, doesn't it? Turns out, at Iowa, he's an Iowa quarterback. At Michigan he was supported by such incredible teachers and teammates that he had every single opportunity to thrive, showing that, although players always (understandably) feel it's their own natural talent coming out, turns out ... it takes a village.
(Which is part of why I get so frustrated at players constantly throwing their arms out and pointing at their chests after a big play to make sure everyone understands how good they think they are, but that's old-man-bitching, I know).
September 18th, 2023 at 12:28 PM ^
They somehow scored 41 because three of their touchdown drives were less than 35 yards, thanks to their defense, including a score with half a minute remaining that they could have just knelt down on. Oh, and they were playing Western Michigan.
September 18th, 2023 at 11:56 AM ^
Too many question marks concerning Michigan: Will Harbaugh return and if not, how many assistant coaches does he take? Will JJ, Blake, Donovan also leave and how about Cornelius and Roman? Who stays on the OL, the DL. Speaking on that side of the ball, Sainristill is a senior this year, so how many departures, there?
Of the big three East division teams in the B1G, Michigan looks to have the most to lose. Time will tell.
September 18th, 2023 at 12:21 PM ^
Basically will be equivalent to the SEC in toughness. With an 8 team playoff, a few losses should still work. Going undefeated through that gauntlet is going to very very tough for anyone. The impact of travel and time change gets overlooked too.
September 18th, 2023 at 12:53 PM ^
No, i dont have any thoughts or perspectives on what the polls will look like a year from now.
September 18th, 2023 at 1:40 PM ^
The other four are sec teams: Georgia, Bama, Texas, Oklahoma.
September 18th, 2023 at 1:53 PM ^
Or a more accurate title:
Six teams that a year from now will be in the B1G are currently in the Top 10.
September 18th, 2023 at 7:20 PM ^
Exactly, couldn't tell what they were trying to say but I guess that's just about it.
September 18th, 2023 at 2:00 PM ^
Next step is the start winning championships (not Ohio of course)
September 18th, 2023 at 2:03 PM ^
That second paragraph is a mess and there's no crystal ball about this. You just you took this week's AP poll and added USC, Washington, and Oregon to the Big Ten.