Big Ten Football: Preview and Predictions for 2021 Season

Ohio State remains the Big Ten favorite, but a healthy second tier should create an exciting championship chase in 2021.

Along with defending West Division winner Northwestern, the conference has Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa and Penn State ready to challenge the Buckeyes. The latter four programs each landed a spot in the preseason AP Top 25, and Michigan also garnered some votes in the initial poll.

While the Big Ten should receive positive buzz in the College Football Playoff conversation, that glaring spotlight comes with a major negative, too. Michigan's Jim Harbaugh and Nebraska's Scott Frost are among the coaches under the most pressure to win this season.

We'll break down all of those topics—including key storylines, hot-seat coaches and the Big Ten's best offense and defense—in this preview of the 2021 season.

Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa

Following a solid season in 2019, Tyler Linderbaum landed national recognition in 2020. He earned second-team AP All-America honors and was one of three finalists for the Rimington Trophy, which is given annually to the nation's top center.

Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan

Aidan Hutchinson is aiming for a bounce-back year. Two seasons ago, he amassed 68 tackles, including 10 for a loss. But in 2020, an ankle injury sidelined him after two games and 15 tackles. If he regains his previous form, Hutchinson will be an All-American contender and likely first-round NFL draft pick.

Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, WRs, Ohio State

New quarterback C.J. Stroud is already recognizable, but Ohio State's established stars will catch his passes. Chris Olave, a two-time All-Big Ten wideout, has 98 receptions for 1,569 yards and 19 touchdowns in his last 20 games. Garrett Wilson reeled in 43 passes for 723 yards and six touchdowns in 2020, his first season as a starter.

George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

A local product, George Karlaftis backed up his recruiting hype as a freshman in 2019 when he posted 54 tackles (including 17 for a loss) and 7.5 sacks. Multiple health concerns limited him to three appearances last season, yet he still notched two sacks. Purdue hasn't had a first-round NFL draft pick since Ryan Kerrigan in 2011, but Karlaftis could end that drought.

Ohio State's Drive for Five

Not since Penn State in 2016 has a program other than Ohio State brought home the Big Ten championship. Plus, the Buckeyes have reached the College Football Playoff in the last two seasons.

In 2021, the longtime powerhouse will have a substantially different look. In addition to replacing star quarterback Justin Fields with C.J. Stroud, Ohio State reshuffled its offensive line and retooled the back seven on defense.

However, the Buckeyes avoid Iowa, Northwestern and Wisconsin in crossover play. Barring two surprising losses, they're in excellent shape for a run at fifth straight Big Ten crown.

Bounce-Back Seasons for Usual Suspects?

Among the variety of ways in which 2020 was a strange season, a few typically solid Big Ten programs sort of imploded. Penn State lost five straight games, Michigan went 2-4, and Wisconsin had a three-game losing streak in which it scored 20 total points.

In all likelihood, we'll remember those disappointing seasons as outliers. Penn State and Michigan recruit at a high level, and Wisconsin is one of the nation's more consistent programs.

But if shades of 2020 appear—especially at Penn State or Michigan—there will be loud discontent within the fanbase.

Unknowns for Indiana and the West Division

After an eight-win 2019 campaign and 6-2 season in 2020, Indiana is seemingly on the rise. But can the Hoosiers jump the Ohio State-sized hurdle in the East Division?

And in the West, which mid-tier program has a strong year? Iowa is always a factor, yet it typically suffers a bad loss or two. Northwestern has gone from 9-5 to 3-9 to 7-2 in the last three years. Minnesota won 11 games in 2019 and plummeted to 3-4 in 2020.

The answers to these questions will have a significant impact on the Big Ten in 2021.

East Division

Separating the remaining six teams into tiers is a helpful way to forecast the chase of Ohio State. While you may disagree slightly, the groups are basically Indiana, Michigan and Penn State, then Maryland and Michigan State, then Rutgers.

Between the Buckeyes traveling to Bloomington and the return of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Indiana has the best shot at dethroning Ohio State. Michigan also hosts OSU, though Penn State has played more competitive games in recent years.

West Division

As usual, this is basically Wisconsin-and-whichever-team-you-think-is-ready-to-surge.

Depending on who you ask, that answer will range from Iowa or Northwestern or maybe even Minnesota. But it probably isn't Illinois or Purdue, and it definitely isn't Nebraska.

Iowa returns most of its production, and Northwestern has the most favorable slate in the West. They should both be factors in the Big Ten race alongside Wisconsin, which has four division titles since the Big Ten switched to East/West organization seven years ago.

Jim Harbaugh, Michigan

The most popular rebuttal to Jim Harbaugh being listed on the hot seat is understandable: How is that possible when he just signed a four-year contract extension in January? It's simple, really.

When a college football coach signs a new deal, the focus is usually on years and money. Realistically, though, the more important value to know is the buyout. And it would only cost Michigan $4 million to move on from Harbaugh at any point this season.

No matter your feelings on the Wolverines in 2021, money will not prohibit them from making a coaching change. Now, it's up to Harbaugh to prove that Michigan made the right choice to keep him.

Scott Frost, Nebraska

Not off to an awesome start here, my man.

To begin the season, Nebraska lost to Illinois. After the game, Scott Frost said it looked like the "same movie" on the field. Which, you know, is basically the last thing fans probably wanted to hear from a fourth-year coach who is now 12-21 in his tenure.

If the Cornhuskers don't even attain bowl eligibility for the fifth straight season, a passionate fanbase will be clamoring for something new. However, Frost's $20 million buyout complicates the discussion.

Nonconference Games

Sept. 11: Oregon at Ohio State; Iowa at Iowa State; Washington at Michigan
Sept. 18: Auburn at Penn State; Cincinnati at Indiana
Sept. 25: Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (in Chicago)

Other than Auburn's trip to Penn State, these matchups all include a Big Ten school taking on a Top 25 opponent. Still, we included Auburn because it's a well-regarded SEC team. These are massive chances for Big Ten contenders to land a marquee win.

The East Trio

Oct. 23: Ohio State at Indiana
Oct. 30: Penn State at Ohio State
Nov. 27: Ohio State at Michigan

If any program actually stops Ohio State's reign in the East Division, it'll require at least one loss in this trifecta. Short of traveling to Indiana, Michigan and Penn State, this is probably the most difficult home-road split possible for the Buckeyes.

The West Round-Robin

Oct. 30: Iowa at Wisconsin
Nov. 6: Iowa at Northwestern
Nov. 13: Wisconsin at Northwestern

Unless you anticipate a surge from Minnesota, the West Division race should feature Iowa, Northwestern and Wisconsin. Finishing 2-0 in this unofficial round-robin would be a huge advantage.

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud has attempted zero passes in his college career. We fully recognize that the weight of expectation on this second-year player could be overwhelming. Heck, we just labeled him the second-strongest contender for the Heisman Trophy.

But if Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day trusts Stroud, how can we not?

Over the last four seasons, Ohio State's quarterbacks have posted a 68.1 completion percentage with 291.3 passing yards per game. Justin Fields, Dwayne Haskins and J.T. Barrett combined for 152 passing touchdowns to just 27 interceptions.

Besides, the surrounding talent is phenomenal. Ohio State returns five All-Big Ten players with linemen Thayer Munford, Nicholas Petit-Frere and Harry Miller and receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Plus, two former 5-star recruits (Paris Johnson Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Njigba) are entering the lineup in 2021.

There is hardly a more comfortable way to become a first-time starter.

As long as Stroud is merely an above-average player, Ohio State will excel. And the player who scampered for a 48-yard touchdown on his only career touch to date has the potential for a whole lot more.

Wisconsin should have a similarly excellent unit, but the strength of Iowa's back seven propels this defense to No. 1.

Although the Hawkeyes must replace top tackler Nick Niemann, they return key linebackers Seth Benson and Jack Campbell with all five starters in the secondary. Last year, Iowa ranked fifth nationally in both yards allowed per rushing (2.8) and passing (6.0) attempt.

In short: This unit has already played at an elite level.

Yes, a few key defensive linemen departed, including Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Daviyon Nixon. But the Hawkeyes still have Zach VanValkenburg (8.5 tackles for loss in 2020) and consistently strong development up front. They've had 14 seasons of eight-plus TFLs from linemen since 2016, and 5-star A.J. Epenesa is the only player who held even a 4-star billing.

An inconsistent offense tends to prevent Iowa from making a true national charge, but this defense should be fantastic.

East Division

Ohio State (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten)

Penn State (9-3; 6-3 Big Ten)

Michigan (8-4; 6-3 Big Ten)

Indiana (7-5; 5-4 Big Ten)

Michigan State (5-7; 3-6 Big Ten)

Maryland (4-8; 3-6 Big Ten)

Rutgers (4-8; 2-7 Big Ten)

West Division

Wisconsin (9-3; 6-3 Big Ten)

Iowa (8-4; 6-3 Big Ten)

Northwestern (8-4; 5-4 Big Ten)

Purdue (6-6; 4-5 Big Ten)

Minnesota (6-6; 4-5 Big Ten)

Illinois (4-8; 2-7 Big Ten)

Nebraska (4-8; 2-7 Big Ten)

The same old champion can become a boring result, and Ohio State's reign in the Big Ten is getting there for many college football fans. That sentiment applies to Clemson in the ACC, Oklahoma in the Big 12 and Alabama in the SEC, too.

But that isn't the Buckeyes' problem.

For good reason, Ohio State is again the runaway favorite in the Big Ten in 2021. Stroud needs to perform well, but the combination of his high school success, Day's proven offense and the Buckeyes' surrounding talent deserves the benefit of the doubt.

On the opposite side, Wisconsin has the advantage of hosting every significant Big Ten opponent—specifically Iowa and Northwestern. Tiebreakers may prove critical in 2021, and the Badgers can secure two key victories at Camp Randall Stadium.

This would be a familiar Big Ten championship game clash, albeit one the Buckeyes have dominated. Ohio State has toppled Wisconsin in three conference title matchups since 2014.

We expect the trend to continue. Stroud is the key, but Ohio State should win its fifth straight Big Ten crown.

Projected Big Ten Champion: Ohio State

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from NCAA.com, cfbstats.com or B/R research.

Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.