Over the last few weeks, we have power-ranked the undefeated Big Ten programs. Now that there are only four remaining, let’s take a look at the conference as a whole.
Through six weeks, the Big Ten is solidifying itself as one of the two “Power 2” conferences. With just two non-conference games remaining (USC and UCLA play Notre Dame later), the Big Ten is sitting at an impressive 42-10 record out of conference. Nine of the conference’s teams came out of non-conference play without a loss.
Week 7 Big Ten Power Rankings
CFP or Bust
1. Ohio State (5-0)(2-0)
T-2. Penn State (5-0)(2-0)
T-2. Oregon (5-0)(2-0)
Now that we are in October, contenders are beginning to emerge. While there are a handful of Big Ten teams who could earn at-large bids, there are three teams that look to be head and shoulders above the rest.
The Buckeyes started slow against a stout Iowa squad but ended up dispatching the Hawkeyes, 35-7. Ohio State’s defense is among the elites in the nation and Jeremiah Smith is setting the college football world on fire with his breakout campaign.
Ohio State’s next opponent is the Oregon Ducks. Heading into this titular matchup, Ohio State and Oregon have one shared opponent. The Buckeyes beat Michigan State 38-7, Oregon won 31-10. Ohio State outgained the Spartans 483-246 while the Ducks had the advantage, 477-250.
Penn State is really coming into its own. No Nicholas Singleton, no problem at the Nittany Lions took care of business against UCLA, 27-11. Drew Allar is completing 70.9 percent of his passes and has passed for 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns this year. This week, Penn State travels out to USC.
Something relevant for both Ohio State and Penn State: Big Ten teams who travel two-plus time zones are 1-8 this year. Could we see both the number two and number four teams in the country fall on the same day again?
Indiana and Friends Who Can Make Noise
4. Indiana (6-0)(3-0)
5. Illinois (4-1)(1-1)
6. Nebraska (5-1)(2-1)
7. Rutgers (4-1)(1-1)
8. Washington (4-2)(2-1)
The Indiana Hoosiers became the first bowl-eligible team in the country after taking down Northwestern, 41-24. Yes, the Indiana Hoosiers are 6-0 for the first time since 1967. Curt Cignetti is turning the program around in year one behind Ohio transfer, Kurtis Rourke. The third-best scoring offense in the country still has to go through Nebraska, Washington, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State, and Purdue.
Illinois was idle this week after its first loss of the year to Penn State in Week 5. The 23rd-ranked Fighting Illini have an opportunity to get right against Purdue this weekend.
Nebraska’s lone loss on the year was at home to those Illini but the Cornhuskers rebounded and took down the previously undefeated Rutgers, 14-7. The box score was not pretty but Matt Rhule’s squad jumped out to a 14-0 first-half lead and forced a pair of interceptions. The Huskers are off this week to gear up for a matchup with Indiana in Week 8.
Those Scarlet Knights struggled against Nebraska. Kyle Monangai had five 100+ games in his previous six games and was held to 78 yards off 19 carries. He broke his five-game touchdown streak in the loss. Wisconsin comes to Blacksburg this weekend and gives Rutgers a great opportunity to get back on track.
Heading into Week 6, Washington was 0-2 against teams with a pulse, depending on how the year ends for Michigan, that could continue. Either way, the Huskies welcomed the defending champs and avenged last year’s CFP loss with a resounding 27-17 win. Washington forced Michigan into a quarterback change and went off for 429 yards on a well-respected Michigan defense. The Huskies travel to Iowa this weekend to keep the pain train rolling.
Good But With Flaws
9. Iowa (3-2)(1-1)
10. Michigan (4-2)(2-1)
11. Minnesota (3-3)(1-2)
12. USC (3-2)(1-2)
13. Wisconsin (3-2)(1-1)
Iowa made Ohio State sweat for the first half before making three crucial mistakes to start the second half. Kaleb Johnson is the Big Ten’s leading rusher with 771 yards and 10 touchdowns through just five games. The depth took a hit this week with Kaleb Brown and Leshon Williams electing to shut it down and transfer, however. They’ll get Washington at home this weekend to get back on track.
Michigan’s defense was supposed to be good enough to carry an atrocious offense. Through six games, that has not come to fruition. While the run defense is strong (fifth-best in the country), the pass defense has been bad (114th out of 134 FBS teams). While Kalel Mullings is a pleasant surprise taking up the mantle of Donovan Edwards‘ disappointing start, the offense is atrocious. The Wolverines are off this week and will get Illinois after.
Minnesota suffered an emotional loss in the Little Brown Jug game off a bad call but rebounded with an impressive win against USC last week. Heading into the matchup with the previously 11th-ranked Trojans, P.J. Fleck was 3-13 against ranked foes. It was the highest-ranked win since 2019 when the Gophers beat number five Penn State and number nine Auburn (Outback Bowl). They get another West Coast convert as they travel to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1962 (Minnesota played at UCLA in 1978 but it was at the Los Angeles Coliseum).
USC routinely beat Wisconsin in Week 5 but both programs went opposite directions. The Trojans were upset by the Golden Gophers and the Badgers smacked the Purdue Boilermakers around.
Flashes of Brilliance…But That’s It
14. Michigan State (3-3)(1-2)
15. Maryland (3-2)(0-2)
Aidan Chiles will be a solid quarterback in the Big Ten in the future. However, the Spartans could not get anything going against Oregon. Michigan State may be able to get bowl eligible but with Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Purdue, and Rutgers left on the schedule, it’ll be difficult.
Meanwhile, Maryland also has a promising offense, led by Billy Edwards, Jr. The former Wake Forest quarterback is completing 72.3 percent of his passes for 1,444 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s fourth in the Big Ten in each stat to start the season.
Not a Great Start
16. Northwestern (2-3)(0-2)
17. Purdue (1-4)(0-2)
18. UCLA (1-4)(0-3)
The bottom of the Big Ten is rough. Wins are going to be hard to come by over the remainder of the season for Northwestern, Purdue, and UCLA. These teams may be looking toward 2025 already.
