Jim Tressel Resigns: Re-Power Ranking Big Ten with Buckeyes Under Fickell

With Jim Tressel resigning as head coach of Ohio State's football program, things have already started to look a bit different in the Big Ten.

Ohio State is a perennial powerhouse not just in the Big Ten but in the national scene, and I think this NCAA scandal and the loss of their cornerstone coach is really going to put the program behind the eight ball.

Assistant coach Luke Fickell was slated to take over the team while Tressel was serving his suspension, but now it looks like the full weight of the 2011 season is going to be on his shoulders.

Here is a re-power ranking of the Big Ten in light of Tressel's resignation:

12. Indiana

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BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 01: Kellen Lewis #15 of the Indiana Hooisers throws a pass during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Kevin Wilson is the new coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, and he has his work cut out for him.

The Hoosiers lost a majority of the big-time talent they had last year. Defensively, I don’t see things getting much better than the 34 points a game they gave up in 2010.

It’s going to be a long and challenging year for Wilson and the Indiana football program.

11. Minnesota

Jerry Kill is going to try to make things better as the new football coach for the Golden Gophers, but he has got quite a monumental task ahead of him.

One thing he can look forward to is working with MarQueis Gray.

Gray played receiver last year, but his natural position is quarterback, and Minnesota needs to replace Adam Weber under center.

Gray could end up being a wildcard nobody expects in the Big Ten, and maybe Minnesota might have something to look forward to.

10. Purdue

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Rob Henry #15 of the Purdue Boilermakers drops back to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Purdue’s hope for 2011 is going to come from the quarterback position.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure what else the Boilermakers have to look forward to.

Rob Henry is returning from a great freshman year, so the expectation is that he will only improve as a quarterback. Purdue also brought on quarterback transfer Robert Marve from Miami (FL), who might make things interesting if Henry hits a sophomore slump.

I think Purdue is going to be a mess defensively, though, so I’m not sure how two good quarterbacks are really going to hold this thing together.

9. Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Head Coach Jim Tressel listens to a member of the media during a press conference before the start of Spring practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at The Ohio State University on March 30, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by

Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, I would have had them in this position even if Tressel was returning to coach.

With all the NCAA violations, their team is left without five of their starters for a good chunk of the season, and they are now without the cornerstone of their team for the past decade.

Ohio State will still be a very talented team, but I’m not sure if talent will be enough to overcome this season.

8. Illinois

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 20: Nathan Scheelhaase #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs pursued by Brian Arnfelt #91 of the Northwestern Wilcats during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated Northwestern 48-2

Illinois is in a very odd position. I think they will either be very good or completely fall off the map in 2011.

Nathan Scheelhaase was a great freshman quarterback, so I have to expect he will be better in his second year.

Mikel Leshoure is no longer in the backfield for him, though, and I really wonder how big of an impact that will make on the offense.

Illinois was a defensive mess last year, and the fact that they lost two of their best defense players to the draft scares me.

It could be another year of shootouts for Illinois football.

7. Northwestern

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Dan Persa #7 of the Northwestern Wildcats runs against the Michigan State Spartans at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Northwestern is bringing back a very talented team in 2011.

Quarterback Dan Persa is one of the most exciting young signal callers in the Big Ten, and if he didn’t suffer a ruptured Achilles last season, I think more people would be talking about him.

Their schedule is heavy on home games against opponents that would have been much harder on the road, so I think we can expect a very good year out of the Wildcats. I wouldn't be surprised to see them in a bowl game.

6. Iowa

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback James Vandenberg #16 of the Iowa Hawkeyes takes the snap from center against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Somehow, Iowa finds ways to be a contender in the Big Ten.

They always put together strong teams that can outmuscle opponents, and even though Ricky Stanzi is gone, I still think we are going to see a strong team out of Iowa in 2011.

Quarterback James Vandenberg is going to have some help with receiver Marvin McNutt and running back Marcus Coker on his side, and even though the defense lost some key pieces, they will still be one of the best in the conference defensively.

It’s Iowa—somehow you just can’t count them out.

5. Michigan

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines rushes against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

New coach Brady Hoke is looking to restore tradition and respect to one of the most historic football programs in college football, and I think he is going to have a good first year.

Denard Robinson is arguably the most explosive player in the country, and I have to believe Hoke is going to find a way to use him in his offensive system.

Michigan is going to continue to struggle defensively. Don't get me wrong, though, because I think Hoke is going to drastically improve the Wolverines' defense. It is really just a testament to how bad it was last year.

Even a good improvement still leaves Michigan with a bad defensive team.

4. Penn State

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Quarterback Matt McGloin #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes against the Florida Gators January 1, 2010 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

I really think Matt McGloin is going to benefit from an offseason under his belt, and we are going to see a Penn State offense that comes out firing, especially with receivers Derek Moye and Justin Brown for McGloin to throw to.

The big question for everybody is who the Nittany Lions will find to replace Evan Royster at running back.

I believe Joe Paterno will find an adequate replacement.

Penn State is going to have to improve on last year's defensive performance, but I think eight returning starters will be a huge plus and will allow this team to gel.

I think Penn State might turn a few heads in 2011.

3. Wisconsin

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Aaron Pflugrad #4 of the Arizona State Sun Devils catches a pass on the ground under pressure from Aaron Henry #7 of the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated

Big bad Wisconsin is going to stay the course and trot out another smash mouth, bruising and intimidating football team.

They are going to pound the ball and stop the run on defense, which is what seems to work best in the Big Ten.

The running game is going to remain on track, so even though Scott Tolzien is no longer the quarterback, whoever ends up under center is just going to have to be able to hand the ball off well.

The Badgers are bringing back six starters on defense, including All-Big Ten players Aaron Henry and Antonio Fenelus.

I expect a very good year from the Badgers.

2. Nebraska

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers fumbles the ball under pressure from defensive back Demontre Hurst #19 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. The Sooners

Nebraska has a good chance to truck through the Big Ten.

Honestly, I’m not too sure if the teams they will be playing really know what is about to hit them.

Taylor Martinez is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten—if not the best—and the Cornhuskers are going to have a very formidable front seven led by Jared Crick.

My one concern is I think they will feel a little bit of an uncomfortable backlash with the change of conferences, so I can’t put them at No. 1.

1. Michigan State

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IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 30- Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans looks down field for a receiver during play against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 37-6 over Michig

Michigan State seems to be the team in the best position to make a big-time run in 2011.

They have a solid team, returning a bunch of upperclassmen and a great coaching staff.

Kirk Cousins has a ton of weapons to work with on the offensive end, and he is easily the most experienced quarterback in the conference as it is. Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell are going to continue to run people over as the two-headed monster in the Spartans' backfield.

I think they are going to take a lot from the butt kicking they received from Alabama in last year’s bowl game, and we are going to see a very dangerous team.

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