Big Ten football: Drama on and off the field in 2023

Spectators display a Jim Harbaugh jersey before a game between Maryland and Michigan on Nov. 18, 2023, in College Park, Md. (Nick Wass/AP)

Consider this Big Ten season the end of an era in many ways.

Starting next year, if Michigan and Ohio State enter their November matchup unbeaten, both teams would presumably be in good shape to reach a 12-team playoff regardless of the result. That’s not the case now, with only four teams qualifying.

We can also bid adieu to the Big Ten West, a division full of ... parity? Mediocrity? Whatever word you choose, it has been an unpredictable group over the years, although this season No. 17 Iowa has wrapped up the West’s spot in the conference title game with room to spare.

In 2024, the Big Ten welcomes USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington to the fold — two teams that are still in this season’s playoff race and another that’s a traditional power.

It’s fair to say the current version of the Big Ten is going out with a bang. There has been just enough excellence on the field — and more than enough drama off of it — to put the conference in the spotlight.

Not only are No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Michigan national title contenders, but the interest in Saturday’s matchup has been stoked by the Wolverines’ sign-stealing scandal that led to coach Jim Harbaugh’s late-season suspension .

Even Iowa’s march to the Big Ten championship game — while averaging 14.8 points in conference play — has been entertaining in its own way. The Hawkeyes’ matchup against Nebraska on Friday had an over/under of just 26 1/2 points per FanDuel Sportsbook as of Tuesday afternoon.

Star power Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is the top Heisman Trophy candidate among non-quarterbacks. He leads the conference in receiving yards (1,093) and touchdown catches (13).

Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean is out for the season, but when he was healthy he looked like the Hawkeyes’ best scoring threat at times. In addition to his defensive work, he was also an excellent punt returner.

Going bowling Eight teams have reached the six-win mark for bowl eligibility.

Ohio State (11-0, 8-0) Michigan (11-0, 8-0) Penn State (9-2, 6-2) Iowa (9-2, 6-2) Northwestern (6-5, 4-4) Wisconsin (6-5, 4-4) Maryland (6-5, 3-5) Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) Illinois (5-6, 3-5), Nebraska (5-6, 3-5) and Minnesota (5-6, 3-5) can join them with victories this week.

Hot seats The coaching carousel already started, with Michigan State firing Mel Tucker after sexual harassment allegations and Northwestern ousting Pat Fitzgerald before the season because of a hazing and abuse scandal . Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz is out after this season.

David Braun did well enough replacing Fitzgerald that the school removed the interim label from his job title.

David Braun speaks during a news conference announcing his promotion to head coach of the Northwestern football team Thursday in Evanston. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Indiana’s Tom Allen is in last place in the Big Ten East — not a good spot for a coach in his seventh full season at the helm.

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Even the coaches at the top have potential problems. Harbaugh’s future at Michigan is cloudy amid various NCAA-related matters, and James Franklin’s inability to beat Michigan or Ohio State lately has him facing some tough questions at Penn State.

If Ohio State’s Ryan Day loses to the Wolverines for a third straight year — with Harbaugh suspended — expect plenty of grumbling among Buckeyes fans.

Youth movement Minnesota running back Darius Taylor rushed for 529 yards in three games in September, but injury problems derailed his season and he has played only once since.

Purdue defensive back Dillon Thieneman has won Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors four times.

Recruiting watch Nothing much has changed here. Ohio State leads the way in the Big Ten according to 247 Sports , which ranks the Buckeyes class No. 2 nationally. Penn State is No. 13 and Michigan is No. 15.

Ohio State appears set to land five-star receivers Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham.

Among the new additions to the Big Ten, Oregon’s class is ranked No. 6 and USC’s is No. 18.