Big Ten Football: 2015 preseason power rankings

Nov 15, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Temple Owls at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

No. 8 Iowa – No. 6 Penn State

8. Iowa

Kirk Ferentz enters his 17th season as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes with one goal in mind: getting over the hump and finally winning that elusive Big Ten title. Iowa had yet another mediocre 2014 season, going 7-6 overall and 4-4 in Big Ten play, pushing the Ferentz haters to the brink.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 potential breakout stars for 2015

As we all know, Jake Rudock transferred to Michigan for his senior season and the team is going to turn to the unreliable arm of C.J. Beathard for the upcoming year. The offense will have plenty of new faces while the 22nd-ranked defense will return six starters.

7. Michigan

Yes, we know. Jim Harbaugh has been hired by Michigan to lead the program back to the golden age of Wolverines football. He has yet to coach a Big Ten game, but you would think he’s already won a national title if you listen to the national media.

The Wolverines won’t be anything special in their first season under Harbaugh, probably 7-5, but give him a few years and you will have a top-three team in the conference on a consistent basis — along with Michigan State and Ohio State and maybe even Penn State.

6. Penn State

This one may be a bit of a surprise as I believe the Nittany Lions have the potential to be a top-five team in the conference. However, they have been voted sixth by our writers and that may be for the simple reason that the Nittany Lions have a mediocre offense.

Christian Hackenberg and DaeSean Hamilton are one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in the conference, but they can only do so much. Defense wins championships, but offense still needs to put points on the board

Next: No. 5 Minnesota