I strongly believe in tiers for the team rankings, whether based upon rivals ratings or my preference, offer rankings. Usually the top 10-12 teams are in a tier above the rest. Tier II is usually made up of teams ranging between 10-15 to 25-30. Tier III is usually found between team rankings 25-55 or so. The Gophers have typically ranged somewhere in tier III, closer to the bottom pre-Fleck. I think they need to be in Tier II most years, with an occasional Tier III. So based upon my other thread and comparing the number of 5.6 3* and up, as well as the number of 4*s, here are my tiers (in order within the tiers) and feel free to call me a homer:
Tier I:
Ohio St. - 21 (18)
Penn. St. -21 (17)
Tier II:
Minnesota - 19 (11)
Michigan- 14 (9)
Mich. St. - 14 (8)
Maryland- 18 (6)
Indiana- 14 (5)
Tier III:
Wisconsin - 12 (3)
Iowa - 10 (3)
Rutgers - 8 (3)
Northwestern - 9 (2)
Nebraska - 8 (1)
Tier IV:
Illinois - 5 (3)
Purdue - 6 (1)
Tier I:
Ohio St. - 21 (18)
Penn. St. -21 (17)
Tier II:
Minnesota - 19 (11)
Michigan- 14 (9)
Mich. St. - 14 (8)
Maryland- 18 (6)
Indiana- 14 (5)
Tier III:
Wisconsin - 12 (3)
Iowa - 10 (3)
Rutgers - 8 (3)
Northwestern - 9 (2)
Nebraska - 8 (1)
Tier IV:
Illinois - 5 (3)
Purdue - 6 (1)