The Ohio football program is a monster in recruitment, but it’s not always the most important thing when you look at next season’s prospects when it’s time to turn the page. Sometimes it has more to do with the surplus in the closet that has a greater impact on shiny objects and trinkets that still sit in trophy holders for years.
ESPN has been watching the return of production for all teams in the FBS (subscription required), and as we are more interested in what’s going on in the area, OSU has been the bully in the block – the Big Ten – us for some time is giving you a look ahead with all fourteen teams in the conference.
We must remember that recurring talent does not always equate to a better team or a fight (see Michigan), but it can often be an indication of improvement and stability.
Here’s how to eliminate issues with all the Big Ten football teams when it comes to the return of talent according to the global leader in sports programming.
14 Northwestern wild cats – number 125 overall)
USA TODAY Sports
The discount
Not only does Northwestern lose its veteran defense coordinator Mike Hankwitz, but he also needs to replace several entrees, including most on the other side of the ball. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald still remains, but only BYU is losing more production in the country than the Wildcats.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 34% | 29% | 127th | 39% | 125th |
13 Ohio State Buckeyes – no. 121 overall
Credit: Joe Maiorana USA TODAY Sports
The discount
You would normally worry if a team produces just as little production as the state of Ohio does, but the Buckeyes have shown that they reload the best of them. Still, if you’re the rest of the Big Ten, it might be the year you can catch OSU early before all four- and five-star recruits start getting their sea legs, especially in defense.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 50% | 55% | 99th | 44% | 119th |
12 Rutgers Scarlet Knights – no. 82 overall
Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The discount
Rutgers made a big competitive move under Greg Schiano last season, and he has a few players to build. The problem is that the rest of the Big Ten do the same. We will see if the program takes the next step and starts winning with a higher cut in 2021.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 64% | 67% | 74th | 61% | 96th |
11 Michigan State Spartans – no. 64 overall
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The discount
The Spartans are still restless at quarter, but there is a lot to work with, otherwise offensive. The problem comes on the defensive side of the ball, where there is a ton to recharge. This is not a good problem for a team that wants to turn Mel Tucker, the second-year head coach, around.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 69% | 80% | 37th | 59% | 99th |
10 Illinois Fighting Illini – no. 62 overall
Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
The discount
Wasn’t yet sure if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that the new head coach, Bret (Bart) Bielema, has a so-so roster coming back. On the one hand, a complete turnover in culture can be good, but on the other hand, it might not be bad to build on with a few returning guys to work with. Quarterback Brando Peters and most of the offensive production deliver back, so I think we’ll wait.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 70% | 80% | 38th | 61% | 94th |
9 Nebraska Cornhuskers – no. 60 overall
(Steven Branscombe / Getty Images)
The discount
Nebraska will soon have to get better for senior fullback Adrian Martinez, but the defense returns almost everyone. For an offensive coach like Scott Frost, this is probably the opposite of what he would like, but the culture of old school Nebraska says it may be necessary to turn this thing around in Lincoln eventually.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 72% | 56% | 96th | 88% | 9th |
8 Iowa Hawkeyes – no. 57 overall
Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The discount
At the end of the 2020 campaign, Iowa played the best of any team not to mention the state of Ohio, and there are enough on either side of the ball to expect the Hawkeyes to continue the trend in 2021. America needs farmers, and Iowa usually has a good defense to fight for a league title. That seems to be the case next season.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 72% | 69% | 70th | 76% | 48th |
7 Michigan Wolverines – overall no. 49
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The discount
We no longer have jokes and punchlines on where the Michigan program is, but if you’re a Wolverine fan, at least there’s a good production coming for returning savior Jim Harbaugh. The good news is that neither side of the ball is being rebuilt. The bad news is that neither side of the ball is being rebuilt.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 73% | 77% | 46th | 70% | 69th |
6 Purdue Boilermakers – no. 38 overall
Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The discount
Looks can be deceiving here. Purdue returns a lot on the offensive side, but is restless at quarterback, and the loss of everything Rondale Moore receives is a big hit. Yet there are guys who know what they’re doing, and maybe the luck of a limp will turn to the finish line in 2020 in 2021.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 78% | 85% | 17th | 70% | 68th |
5 Penn State Nittany Lions – no. 37 overall
Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The discount
I’m almost ready to get a COVID-19 departure for the Nittany Lions last season, but even if it’s not, there’s a lot coming back to Happy Valley. Look for a big improvement with quarterback Sean Clifford this fall with plenty of weapons around him, and a defense that is much better with so many pieces coming back.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 78% | 74% | 58th | 82% | 24th |
4 Golden Gophers in Minnesota – overall no. 25
Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The discount
Again a little deceptive. Minnesota loses starting quarterback Tanner Morgan and one of the best receivers in the country in Rashod Bateman. These are great shoes to fill. Look for PJ Fleck to try and rely on a defense that knows what he’s doing and what needs to be better.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 80% | 75% | 53rd | 84% | 18th |
3 Indiana Hoosiers – no. 24 overall
Credit: Joseph Maiorana USA TODAY Sports
The discount
Indiana made great progress in 2020 and played the state of Ohio closer than any other team in the league. Tom Allen has this program booming and has enough in the closet this fall. As quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. can come back completely healthy, the Hoosiers could be the biggest threat to dethrone the Buckeyes this fall.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 80% | 80% | 39th | 81% | 26th |
2 Wisconsin Badgers – overall no. 14
Credit: David Banks USA TODAY Sports
The discount
It was an odd year for Wisconsin, even more so than other teams in a COVID-19 world. The Badgers seem to have enough talent, but could not sum it all up. UW expects UW to bounce back in 2021 with all the returning production on both sides of the ball, including five-star full-back Graham Mertz, who should have learned from a conflicting season this year.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 83% | 84% | 24th | 82% | 22nd |
1 Maryland Terrapins – overall no. 10
Credit: David Banks USA TODAY Sports
The discount
If this is the year for Maryland to stop its inconsistent ways, this may be the case. The recruiting was good and with all that is back on both sides of the ball, the Terrapins may be ready to go with some of the big boys in the league. Look at fullback Taulia Tagovailoa to make a difference.
The rankings according to ESPN
| Overall | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank |
| 85% | 86% | 14th | 85% | 17th |
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