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Big Ten Standings: A Deep Dive into the 2023 Conference Race

The Contenders: A Look at the Top Teams

The 2023 Big Ten conference race promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Several top-ranked teams are vying for the championship, setting the stage for an exciting season filled with high-stakes matchups.

Michigan Wolverines (12-1, 8-0)

The defending Big Ten champions, Michigan, remain the team to beat. Led by Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Wolverines boast a powerful offense that averages over 40 points per game. Their defense has also been impressive, allowing only 16.6 points per game, allowing the team to occupy the highest spot in the Big Ten standings.

Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1, 7-1)

Ohio State is another Big Ten powerhouse that is always in contention for the championship. With a high-powered offense led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Buckeyes are capable of putting up points in bunches. They currently occupy the second spot in the Big Ten standings and are looking invincible. However, their defense has been a bit of a question mark, allowing over 24 points per game.

big 10 standings

Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2, 7-1)

Penn State has emerged as a legitimate contender in recent years, and they are looking to make a run at the Big Ten title in 2023. Quarterback Sean Clifford leads an efficient passing attack, while running back Nick Singleton provides a dynamic rushing threat. Penn State has the third spot in the Big Ten standings. Their defense has been solid, allowing just 20.2 points per game.

Other Notable Contenders

Other teams to watch in the Big Ten race include:

Big Ten Standings: A Deep Dive into the 2023 Conference Race

Purdue Boilermakers (8-4, 6-3): A surprise team in 2022, Purdue looks to continue their success with quarterback Aidan O'Connell leading the charge.
Wisconsin Badgers (6-6, 4-4): A traditional Big Ten power, Wisconsin is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season.
Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5, 5-4): Iowa is known for its stout defense, and they will be looking to make a statement in 2023.

The Pretenders: Teams to Watch Out For

While the top teams in the Big Ten are clear, there are a few teams that could surprise and make a run at the championship.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-8, 3-6): Under new head coach Matt Rhule, Nebraska is looking to turn things around after a rough 2022 season.
Indiana Hoosiers (4-8, 2-7): Indiana has struggled in recent years, but they have some talented players who could make a difference in 2023.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-8, 1-8): Rutgers is still rebuilding, but they showed some signs of improvement in 2022.

The Bottom Feeders: Teams Struggling to Compete

Unfortunately, there are a few teams in the Big Ten that are struggling to compete. These teams will need to make significant improvements in order to climb out of the cellar.

Maryland Terrapins (5-7, 2-7): Maryland has been mired in mediocrity for years, and they are looking for a change in 2023.
Illinois Fighting Illini (1-11, 0-9): Illinois is coming off a disastrous 2022 season, and they will need to make major changes in order to improve in 2023.
Northwestern Wildcats (1-11, 1-8): Northwestern is another team that has struggled in recent years, and they are looking for a turnaround in 2023.

Key Matchups to Watch

The Big Ten schedule is filled with key matchups that will have a major impact on the conference race. Here are a few of the most important games to watch:

The Contenders: A Look at the Top Teams

September 23: Ohio State at Michigan
October 14: Penn State at Ohio State
October 28: Michigan at Penn State
November 11: Purdue at Michigan
November 18: Ohio State at Michigan State

These games will likely determine who wins the Big Ten championship and earn a berth in the College Football Playoff.

Big Ten Standings: A Deep Dive into the 2023 Conference Race

Conclusion

The 2023 Big Ten football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With several top-ranked teams in contention for the championship, the race is sure to be close until the very end. Be sure to tune in to all the action as the Big Ten teams battle it out for conference supremacy.

Big Ten Standings

Here are the current Big Ten standings as of November 19, 2023:

Team	Record	Big Ten Record	Average Points For	Average Points Against
1. Michigan Wolverines	12-1	8-0	40.2	16.6
2. Ohio State Buckeyes	11-1	7-1	42.5	24.3
3. Penn State Nittany Lions	10-2	7-1	38.7	20.2
4. Purdue Boilermakers	8-4	6-3	35.8	27.3
5. Wisconsin Badgers	6-6	4-4	31.2	23.6
6. Iowa Hawkeyes	7-5	5-4	27.4	18.9
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers	4-8	3-6	24.8	30.6
8. Indiana Hoosiers	4-8	2-7	23.9	32.1
9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights	4-8	1-8	21.4	34.3
10. Maryland Terrapins	5-7	2-7	27.6	35.2
11. Illinois Fighting Illini	1-11	0-9	18.2	40.6
12. Northwestern Wildcats	1-11	1-8	17.6	38.4

Big Ten Offensive Leaders

Here are the top offensive leaders in the Big Ten conference as of November 19, 2023:

Player	Position	Team	Stats
J.J. McCarthy	QB	Michigan	3,014 passing yards, 25 TDs, 5 INTs
C.J. Stroud	QB	Ohio State	2,852 passing yards, 30 TDs, 6 INTs
Sean Clifford	QB	Penn State	2,678 passing yards, 23 TDs, 7 INTs
Aidan O'Connell	QB	Purdue	2,542 passing yards, 20 TDs, 9 INTs
Nick Singleton	RB	Penn State	1,229 rushing yards, 16 TDs
Blake Corum	RB	Michigan	1,165 rushing yards, 14 TDs
Marvin Harrison Jr.	WR	Ohio State	91 receptions, 1,263 yards, 15 TDs
Emeka Egbuka	WR	Ohio State	71 receptions, 969 yards, 12 TDs
Parker Washington	WR	Penn State	58 receptions, 842 yards, 8 TDs

Big Ten Defensive Leaders

Here are the top defensive leaders in the Big Ten conference as of November 19, 2023:

Player	Position	Team	Stats
Henry To'oTo'o	LB	Alabama	105 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 2 INTs
Jack Campbell	LB	Iowa	98 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 5 sacks, 4 INTs
Nolan Smith	LB	Ohio State	**9