I don't plan on doing this weekly, but it's worth doing a ranking of the Big Ten every few weeks to show the form of each squad. Plus, more content is always good.
This is obviously not an official poll, nor will it necessarily be unbiased, but I will try to be as fair as possible. Additionally, it's early. This is going to change. Drastically.
So, the ranking. Let it begin.
1. Maryland
This is obvious, and should surprise no one. Maryland is taking the mid-2010s Clemson approach and recruiting like mad with a stellar staff. The fact that Maryland got Bobby Benson as a coordinator is unfair to the point of criminal. I cannot understate how much of a coup that hire was.
The Terrapins have scored at least 20 goals in each of their first two games, one over a top 10 Loyola squad. Yes, Loyola was way overrated, but still. Logan Wisnauskas remains a stud, Keegan Khan is a killer at attack, and the D is stout as always. The Terps are a Final Four lock, and my title favorite.
2. TTUN
It's sickening to put them here. But the Wolverines are looking strong in the early going. The offense has always been good, but the defense is finally coming together. A lackluster 8-goal win over Bellarmine (weird to say but it's true) was followed by a 21-5 trouncing of common opponent Detroit Mercy. The Wolverines didn't allow more than one goal in a quarter until the game was far, far out of hand.
The Wolverines don't have a challenging game until Delaware comes to town March 5. The Notre Dame game on March 19 right before Big Ten play starts will be a reality check for how good they really are.
3. Rutgers/Ohio State
Even though the Scarlet Knights have won three games to Ohio State's two, a run of games against Long Island, Marist (a mediocre 3-goal win), and hapless St. John's doesn't really show who Rutgers is. By the same token, Ohio State beat down two poor opponents in Detroit Mercy and Cleveland State without really being challenged. Wins are wins, but I can't place either program ahead of the Wolverines right now.
5. Johns Hopkins
The Blue Jays have what looks like a decent win over Jacksonville, and a comfortable victory over Towson, who has really fallen off. With those alone, Hopkins would be in a tie with Rutgers and the Buckeyes. Then Georgetown happened.
The Hoyas absolutely demolished the Jays after the first quarter, going on a 13-3 run to close out the final 3 quarters. Brendan Grimes was the lone bright spot, scoring three of Hopkins eight total goals. Losing the Grimes recruitment probably has cost Ohio State a shot at the Final Four in 2022/23. The Jays can bounce back, but getting doubled up by the Hoyas will really put a damper on the program's outlook rhis season.
6. Penn State
Woof. How the mighty have fallen. With the loss of their golden generation of Ament, O'Keefe, and Arceri, the Nittany Lions are riding a two-game losing streak after getting handled by Vermont yesterday, 16-10. Combined with a close 13-12 loss to Villanova, Penn State is struggling mightily despite bringing in one of the highest-rated 2021 classes in the country.
Will Peden, out of Malvern Prep, is going to be a star. But the rest of the squad is struggling mightily to make an impact. It's going to be a long season for Penn State, who will almost certainly be 3-5, potentially 2-6, before Big Ten play even starts.
That's my view of Big Ten teams a couple of weeks into the season. Lots of storylines to watch as games against real teams loom on the horizon for everyone.
Go Bucks!
