Bill Connelly's 2021 SP+ Pre-Season Rankings Released

[Saunders]

The process for my annual preview series is pretty straightforward: set some early projections in February (check), embark on a conference-by-conference preview series (check), then update the projections in August to account for roster movement. With the preview series officially in the books, it's time for step three.

SP+ is my opponent- and tempo-adjusted look at the most sustainable and predictive aspects of college football. It is intended to be predictive and forward-facing; it is a power ranking, not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or brave scheduling.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/insider/story/_/id/32000492/college-football-2021-updated-preseason-sp+-rankings

Some rankings of note:

#3 Oklahoma

#4 Ohio State

#6 Wisconsin

#16 Iowa

#17 Michigan

#24 Minnesota

#32 Nebraska

#51 Michigan State

#52 Purdue

#76 Northwestern

#81 Illinois

#88 Buffalo

 

[Toe]

#32 ain't so bad, but half our schedule is in the top 25...

 

[J-MAGIC]

Some rankings of note:

#3 Oklahoma

#4 Ohio State

#6 Wisconsin

#16 Iowa

#17 Michigan

#24 Minnesota

#32 Nebraska

#51 Michigan State

#52 Purdue

#76 Northwestern

#81 Illinois

#88 Buffalo

Big things here seem to be Michigan and Minnesota making jumps (both were around #30 in the February rankings) and Buffalo dropping. Everything else looks about the same.

 

[MyBloodIsRed16]

it's not where you start, it's where you finish.  Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Minn are not finishing in the top 25

 

[Hilltop]

it's not where you start, it's where you finish.  Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Minn are not finishing in the top 25

I think chances are pretty good that 2 or, maybe even 3, of the 4 finish there.  

 

[Dogs In A Pile]

So according to this, we should end up at 6-6 which sounds about right to me, maybe a tad optimistic.

 

[Toe]

Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Minn are not finishing in the top 25

Bold prediction....

 

[MyBloodIsRed16]

Bold prediction....

mark it.  

 

[Nebraska55fan]

it's not where you start, it's where you finish.  Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Minn are not finishing in the top 25

I would take that bet. I respect the Wisconsin and Iowa football programs- but dislike them greatly. I dislike and dont respect Minny- but this would be a terrible bet to make unless you had REALLY good odds. Watched NW, Iowa and Wisconsin a bunch on BTN this week- they just dont beat themselves- not a good bet IMO>

 

[MyBloodIsRed16]

I would take that bet. I respect the Wisconsin and Iowa football programs- but dislike them greatly. I dislike and dont respect Minny- but this would be a terrible bet to make unless you had REALLY good odds. Watched NW, Iowa and Wisconsin a bunch on BTN this week- they just dont beat themselves- not a good bet IMO>

I'm willing it into fruition

 

[Head Coach Scott Frost]

Sounds like Nebraska is going to have to start beating Top 25 teams again. Seems like as good of year as any to do so to me.

 

[Stone Cold]

Sounds like Nebraska is going to have to start beating Top 25 teams again. Seems like as good of year as any to do so to me.

I guess were counting on you to help get that done.  seriously we should be able to hang with over 3/4 of that list.