Three Big Ten coaches land in top 6 of Sporting News' coach rankings

The Big Ten is home to the reigning national champ and the nation's No. 1 coach, the latter according to SportingNews.com's annual coach rankings.

Ohio State's Urban Meyer, he of three national crowns, knocked Alabama's Nick Saban from the top perch in the publication's latest list, which ranks college football's top 50 coaches.

Michigan State's Mark Dantonio isn't too far behind, grabbing the No. 3 spot, just behind Saban. New Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh comes in at No. 6, giving the Big Ten half of the nation's top six coaches.

Not bad, huh?

After Harbaugh, however, there is a long wait until the next Big Ten coach: Penn State's James Franklin, at No. 24.

Still, eight Big Ten coaches make the distinguished list of 50.

BIG TEN COACHES ON LIST
1. Urban Meyer
3. Mark Dantonio
6. Jim Harbaugh
24. James Franklin
30. Jerry Kill
43. Pat Fitzgerald
46. Mike Riley
47. Kirk Ferentz

Other names of interest to Big Ten fans include: Rich Rodriguez (No. 14); Bret Bielema (No. 15); Gary Andersen (No. 27)