As conference play heats up the power rankings will change. The Hoosiers shook up the second tier on Saturday night. While Maryland and Iowa look to move up as well. UCLA and Wisconsin may as well get comfortable in the basement.
Conference Favorites
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0, 0-0) Last Week: 1
The Buckeyes are heading out west after a bye week to take on an overlooked Washington squad that is looking very solid.
Last Week: Bye | Next Week: at Washington
2. Oregon Ducks (4-0, 1-0) Last Week: 2
Oregon blasted rival Oregon State 41-7. This week the Ducks travel to Penn State in a game that will give one of these teams the inside track to Indianapolis and a possible bye in the College Football Playoff.
Last Game: 41-7 Win vs. Oregon State | Next Week: at Penn State (3-0)
3. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0, 0-0) Last Week: 3
Penn State has had an extra week to get ready for Oregon. They have every advantage you can ask for. The game is in Happy Valley, it’s the White Out Game and Oregon is traveling east. A win gives the Nittany Lions a lot of leeway in the Playoff race. A loss could see some doubts creep in.
Last Week: Bye| Next Week: vs. Oregon (4-0, 1-0)
Playoff Contenders
4. Indiana Hoosiers (4-0, 1-0) Last Week: 5
That was a statement win by Indiana over then-No. 9 Illinois. They are clear playoff contenders and depending how the next few weeks go, could be in the Big Ten title race (too early now).
Last Game: 63-10 win vs. Indiana State | Next Week: at Iowa (3-1)
5. USC Trojans (4-0, 2-0) Last Week: 6
USC a sleeper team? The Trojans beat up on the Michigan State defense and move up to 21st in the nation. This week they travel east for a noon kick at Illinois. A win over the Illini could throw USC into the playoff and Big Ten race as well.
Last Game: 45-31 Win vs. Michigan State | Next Week: at Illinois (3-1)
6. Michigan Wolverines (3-1, 1-0) Last Week: 7
No Sherrone Moore, no problem again as the Wolverines walked out of Lincoln with a 30-27 win. Michigan’s loss at Oklahoma is looking better and better as well.
Last Game: 63-3 Win vs. Central Michigan| Next Week: Bye
On Solid Footing
7. Illinois Fighting Illini (3-1, 0-1) Last Week: 4
Illinois falls out of the playoff race for now. They missed a major opportunity on Saturday and suffered a blow out loss to Indiana. The Illini are still on solid footing and a win over USC could get them back into the race, but the opportunities for ranked wins are short.
Last Game: 38-0 win vs. Western Michigan | Next Week: vs. USC (4-0)
8. Washington Huskies (3-0,0-0) Last Week 10
Washington stuffed Washington State into a locker in a revenge game. The Huskies are quietly moving up our power rankings. The Buckeyes come to Seattle next and this could be a sneaky great game.
Last Week: 59-24 Win at Washington State | Next Week: Sept. 27th vs. Ohio State (3-0)
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-1,0-1) Last Week: 8
A 30-27 loss to No. 19 Michigan isn’t the worst thing in the world, but Nebraska hasn’t gotten over the hump (sorry PTSD) yet. They are improved, but need to get a ranked win to dispel some of the bad vibes.
Last Game: 30-27 Loss vs. Michigan | Next Week: Bye
10. Michigan State Spartans (3-1,0-1) Last Week: 9
The offense is going to be able to score on most defenses. However, the Spartan defense is struggling big time. Losing at USC isn’t the end of the world and they were in it for a while.
Last Game: 45-31 Loss at USC | Next Week: Bye
11. Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1, 1-0) Last Week 13
Iowa moves up two spots with a road win at Rutgers. It’s how they won that was more impressive than the win itself. If Iowa’s offense has turned the corner, this could be a very good team.
Last Game: 38-28 Win at Rutgers | Next Week: vs. Indiana (4-0)
12. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1, 0-0) Last Week: 11
Minnesota was passed up by Iowa over the bye week. They are still in a good spot, but the loss to Cal stings.
Last Week: Bye| Next Week: vs. Rutgers (3-1)
13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0,0-0) Last Week: 12
The offense looked really good in the first half and one would figure that scoring 28 against Iowa would get the win, but the defense and special teams faltered.
Last Game: 38-28 Loss vs. Iowa | Next Week at Minnesota
14. Maryland Terrapins (4-0, 1-0) Last Week: 15
Maryland may be the (good) surprise of the Big Ten so far. The Terrapins went into Camp Randall Stadium and just flat out beat the Badgers at their own game. They are out of the basement and a bowl game looks possible.
Last Game: 27-10 Win at Wisconsin | Next Week: Bye
The Basement
15. Purdue Boilermakers (2-2, 0-1) Last Week: 16
Purdue put up 30 against Notre Dame in South Bend. The bad news is the defense allowed 56. The Boilermakers will knock off someone in the Big Ten, I just don’t know who.
Last Game: 56-30 Loss at. Notre Dame | Next Week: Bye
16. Wisconsin Badgers (2-2, 0-1) Last Week: 14
The vibes are bad in Madison. Billy Edward’s tried to give it a go against Maryland, but didn’t make it through the first quarter. The Terrapins dominated and the fans were calling for a change.
Last Game: 27-10 Loss at Alabama | Next Week: BYE
17. Northwestern Wildcats (1-2, 0-1) Last Week: 17
Northwestern has had a week to refocus and get ready for UCLA. This should be a winnable game at home for the Wildcats. UCLA just fired their coach and is 0-3.
Last Week: Bye | Next Week: vs. UCLA (0-3)
18. UCLA Bruins (0-3, 0-0) Last Week: 18
This is a must-win game for the Bruins at Northwestern. A loss puts 0-12 further into reality.
Last Week: Bye | Next Week: at Northwestern (1-2)