Week Five Big Ten Power Rankings

Written By Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)

Ohio State (5-0, defeated Penn State 27-26) 

Ohio State walked away from Penn State’s hostile atmosphere with a huge comeback victory. The Buckeyes were forced to storm back on two separate occasions and they answered. First, Penn State took a commanding 13-0 lead before Ohio State rallied with two consecutive touchdowns. Penn State built a 26-14 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Buckeyes responded with a 47-yard touchdown pass. Penn State pinned OSU deep in their own territory with a few minutes left to play. Ohio State mounted a season-defining drive: an eight-play, 96-yard drive capped with another Dwayne Haskins touchdown pass. A controversial call by Penn State coach James Franklin sealed the deal. Ohio State remains the team to beat in the Big Ten.

Next week: Ohio State hosts Indiana at 4PM ET 

Penn State (4-1, lost to Ohio State 27-26)

The Nittany Lions couldn’t pull off the victory behind their deafening white-out crowd. However, had head coach James Franklin not decided to run the ball on 4th and 5, we’d likely be talking about a Penn State victory. PSU played fantastic defense until surrendering the aforementioned 96-yard Buckeye drive. Regardless of the outcome, Penn State looked like the second-best team in the conference. PSU still retains playoff hopes, but they’ll probably need to win out. The Nittany Lions have a much-needed week off before traveling to East Lansing to play Michigan State.                                                                                                                                      

Next week: bye week 

Michigan (4-1, defeated Northwestern 20-17) 

Michigan found themselves in a deep hole against Northwestern. The Wolverines trailed 17-0 for most of the first half. Quarterback Shea Patterson was visibly frustrated and could not get anything going against Northwestern’s defense. Thankfully for Michigan, they possess one of the top defenses in the entire country. After surrendering 17 points, UM completely shut down the Wildcats. Powered by running back Karan Higdon (who scored Michigan’s only two touchdowns), the Wolverines escaped with a three-point victory. Had Michigan lost, Harbaugh would be staring at another potential disaster of a season. For now, the Wolverines remain in the top tier of the conference.

Next week: Michigan hosts Maryland at noon ET 

Wisconsin (3-1, bye week)

Several Big Ten teams had the week off with Wisconsin being one of them. The Badgers host a struggling Nebraska team next week when they look to advance to 4-1.

Next week: Wisconsin hosts Nebraska at 7:30PM ET 

Michigan State (3-1, defeated Central Michigan 31-20)

For the fourth week, Michigan State had a chance to assert their dominance. However, the Spartans got off to a very slow start. Central Michigan held MSU scoreless for the first 19 minutes of the game. The Spartans reeled off 31 straight points in the second and third quarters. Instead of shutting the door on CMU, Michigan State failed to score in the fourth quarter while giving up 17 unanswered points to Central Michigan. The Spartans haven’t lived up to preseason expectations, but they still have a 3-1 record with opportunities to beat several ranked opponents.

Next week: Michigan State hosts Northwestern at noon ET 

Maryland (3-1, bye week)

Maryland was one of several teams with a bye week. The Terrapins have one week to get healthy before they travel to Ann Arbor to face Michigan at the Big House.

Next week: Maryland plays at Michigan at noon ET

Iowa (3-1, bye week)

Iowa had the week to recover following a tough home loss against Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes will regroup before traveling to Minnesota to play the Gophers this week. 

Next week: Iowa plays at Minnesota at 3:30PM ET

Indiana (4-1, defeated Rutgers 24-17) 

Indiana took care of business. So far, the Hoosiers have won all four games they’ve been favored in. IU leapt out to a 24-7 lead against Rutgers before stumbling in the second half. Indiana failed to score any points against an abysmal Rutgers team, but their defense finished the game for them. An end zone interception and several key stops prevented Rutgers’ comeback attempt from being successful. Indiana’s offensive and defensive lines will need to improve if IU wants to compete against opponents of a higher standard. The Hoosiers will face their stiffest test of the season as the travel to Columbus to face Ohio State next week.  

Next week: Indiana plays at Ohio State at 3PM ET

Purdue (2-3, defeated Nebraska 42-28)

Purdue looks like a different team. After losing three straight games, the Boilers have put together two solid wins. Brohm’s team marched into a hostile Nebraska environment and put their foot down. Purdue racked up over 500 yards of offense and put up 42 points. Although Nebraska has looked very poor, conference victories on the road aren’t a given. Purdue began the season with four consecutive games at home before beating Nebraska. The Boilermakers schedule will get much more difficult after the bye week. At least three of Purdue’s remaining eight games will be against ranked teams and half of them will be at home. Purdue looks like a different team each week; will they find consistency?

Next week: bye week 

Northwestern (1-3, lost to Michigan 20-17)

After starting their season off with a huge road conference win, Northwestern has looked like a completely different team. The Wildcats have lost three in a row and this most recent loss to Michigan was a heartbreaker. Northwestern jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but quickly crumbled. This was an ample opportunity for head coach Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats to right the ship. Things won’t get any easier for Northwestern as they travel to play a ranked Michigan State team next week.

Next week: Northwestern plays at Michigan State at noon ET 

Minnesota (3-1, bye week 

Following a blowout loss on the road against Maryland, Minnesota had the week off to recuperate. The Gophers hope to get back on track as they host Iowa next week.

Next week: Minnesota hosts Iowa at 3:30PM ET

Illinois (2-2, bye week)

Illinois had a week off after suffering a letdown loss at Soldier Field against USF. Next week, the Fighting Illini travel to Piscataway to play Rutgers in a battle between the Big Ten’s bottom of the barrel.

Next week: Illinois plays at Rutgers at noon ET

Nebraska (0-4, lost to Purdue 42-28) 

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost deemed last Saturday’s contest against Purdue a “winnable game.” Purdue took that statement personally, waltzed into Nebraska’s stadium and dismantled the Cornhuskers. Nebraska fell behind 27-7 and never came close to completing a comeback. Despite 582 yards of offense, Nebraska allowed Purdue to get whatever they wanted. The Cornhusker defense must improve or else there might not be another “winnable game” on Nebraska’s schedule.  

Next week: Nebraska plays at Wisconsin at 7:30PM ET

 Rutgers (1-4, lost to Indiana 24-17)

For the first time this season, Rutgers appeared to show some spirit. The Scarlet Knights fell behind 24-7 in the first half, but they didn’t give up. Rutgers held Indiana scoreless in the second half while nearly mounting a comeback. Despite the loss, head coach Chris Ash had some positives to take away from this game. Rutgers will hope to build on their progress as they host an Illinois team next week who is also struggling mightily.

Next week: Rutgers hosts Illinois at noon ET