Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 5

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Written by Evan McShane

The college football season is nearing the halfway point and the Big Ten, especially the East, is loaded. Iowa and Penn State cruise into the top five and Ohio State got back on track while Michigan crushed Wisconsin. Here are how our power rankings shook out after five weeks of play.

1.     Iowa (5-0, 2-0) – Defeated Maryland 51-14

Iowa continues to look like the best team in the conference after steamrolling the Terps in Maryland on Friday night. The game wasn’t close at any point, as has been in the case in most of Iowa’s games this season. Next week Iowa will host undefeated Penn State. This will be the toughest test for the Hawkeyes by far and one of the most important games early on in the 2021 college football season.

2.     Penn State (5-0, 2-0) – Defeated Indiana 24-0

Penn State embarrassed Indiana at home on Saturday night in front of a raucous crowd. The Nittany Lions avenged their overtime loss last year, shutting out the Hoosiers and landing a #4 overall ranking in the nation. PSU will travel to Iowa next week for a showdown of the conference’s top two teams. 

3.     Ohio State (4-1, 2-0) – Defeated Rutgers 52-13

Ohio State blew out Rutgers on the road Saturday. The Buckeyes are rolling after suffering a home loss to Oregon earlier this year. Ohio State will host Maryland next week in what will likely be another blowout win.

4.     Michigan (5-0, 2-0) – Defeated Wisconsin 38-17

Michigan passed their first test of the season, blowing out the Badgers in Madison on Saturday. The Wolverines defense held Wisconsin to just 210 yards of total offense. Michigan is now 5-0. Next week they’ll travel to Nebraska to face a struggling Cornhusker team. 

5.     Michigan State (5-0, 2-0) – Defeated Western Kentucky 48-31

Michigan State dominated Western Kentucky at home on Saturday. The Spartans look new and improved after a rough 2020 season. MSU is now undefeated and ranked 11th in the nation. Next week, the Spartans will head to New Jersey to play Rutgers.

6.     Minnesota (3-2, 1-1) – Defeated Purdue

It’s hard to believe Minnesota could be ranked this high after last week’s embarrassing loss to Bowling Green, but that’s how top-heavy the Big Ten is early on this season. The Gophers handled Purdue on the road in a torrential downpour, earning their first conference win of the year. Minnesota has a bye week before hosting Nebraska the following Saturday.

7.     Maryland (4-1, 1-1) – Lost to Iowa 51-14

Maryland’s hot start to the season came to an abrupt and embarrassing end on Friday night. The Terps gave up 51 points to Iowa at home while only managing 14 themselves. QB Taulia Tagovailoa struggled mightily against the first good defense Maryland has face this year. The Terps don’t have time to blink as they travel to Columbus next week to play Ohio State.

8.     Rutgers (3-2, 0-2) – Lost to Ohio State 52-13

Rutgers has been brought back down to earth after a 3-0 start. The Scarlet Knights were obliterated by Ohio State at home on Saturday. Rutgers will face another top-15 next week when Michigan State comes to town.

9.     Nebraska (3-3, 1-2) – Defeated Northwestern 56-7

Nebraska got their first conference win of the season in impressive fashion. The Huskers destroyed Northwestern at home on Saturday. Scott Frost and co. are now halfway toward bowl eligibility. Nebraska will host a Michigan team now ranked in the top ten in the country next week.

10.  Purdue (3-2, 1-1) – Lost to Minnesota 20-13

Purdue couldn’t overcome a monsoon to defeat the Gophers at home on Saturday. The Boilermaker offense continues to struggle with inconsistent QB play. Despite throwing for 371 yards against Minnesota, Purdue only managed to score 13 points. The Boilers have a bye week before heading to Iowa on 10/16.

11.  Indiana (2-3, 0-12) – Lost to Penn State 24-0

 

Indiana’s offense is dead in the water. The Hoosiers suffered their first shutout loss since 2000. A season that begin with much promise now has Indiana simply hoping for bowl eligibility. IU has a much-needed bye week before hosting a practical must-win game against Michigan State.

12.  Wisconsin (1-3, 0-2) – Lost to Michigan 38-17

The Badgers appear to be broken after suffering their second blowout loss in as many weeks. The Badgers kept it close for a half, but fell apart midway through the third quarter. QB Graham Mertz showed some improvement on Saturday before taking a big hit to the ribs and leaving the game. Wisconsin heads to Illinois next week for a must-win game.

13.  Northwestern (2-3, 0-2) – Lost to Nebraska 56-7

Northwestern suffered the worst loss in Big Ten play to date, getting the doors blown off them at Nebraska. The Wildcats are winless in conference and bolstered by a weak non-conference schedule. Northwestern has a bye week next week before hosting Rutgers on 10/16.

14.  Illinois (2-4, 1-2) – Defeated Charlotte 24-14

Illinois won on Saturday, but not without a fight. Charlotte led at halftime before the Fighting Illini put the clamps on and cruised to victory. Illinois remains the weakest team in the conference until proven otherwise. The Illini will host Wisconsin next week.