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The college football season is now through 6 weeks as we close the chapter on a full weekend of action! Across the B1G, that included some dominant performances and a few nail-biting finishes.
Top to bottom, the latest edition of the Big Ten Power Rankings did not experience a significant shake-up. Nebraska and Purdue had a flip-flop while the top 4 teams remain anchored into their current slots. That includes Maryland standing firm despite a road loss to Ohio State.
Here is how Tradition’s latest B1G Power Rankings look as we get set for Week 7:
14. Minnesota (3-3)
Last week: vs. Michigan, L 52-10
Athan Kaliakmanis threw more touchdowns to Michigan (2 pick-6s by the defense) than he did to the Golden Gophers (1). The ground attack also averaged 3 yards per carry, and most of that production came after Michigan had put the game well out of hand. Minnesota finished the game with just 169 total yards of offense and went 3-for-14 on 3rd-down conversions.
13. Northwestern (3-3)
Last week: vs. Howard, W 23-20
At one point, Northwestern built a 23-7 lead at the end of the third quarter but allowed Howard to claw back into the game. Brendan Sullivan starred in the game in place of the injured Ben Bryant, but Northwestern’s schedule heats up again next week against Nebraska.
12. Indiana (2-3)
Last week: BYE
11. Illinois (2-4)
Last week: vs. Nebraska, L 20-7
Bret Bielema’s squad is winless in 3 B1G games and looking at an ugly finish to the season. A week after giving up 44 points to Purdue, the Illini managed just a lone touchdown in a home game. At this point, Illinois should treat 2023 as a rebuilding year and focus on the development of young players.
10. Purdue (2-4)
Last week: at Iowa, L 20-14
Purdue will have to take the good with the bad during Ryan Walters’ first season in West Lafayette. The defense kept the Boilermakers in the game against the Hawkeyes, but a pair of interceptions from Hudson Card and 2.4 yards per carry doomed Purdue.
9. Michigan State (2-3)
Last week: BYE
8. Nebraska (3-3)
Last week: at Illinois, W 20-7
Nebraska is back to .500 and Matt Rhule has his first B1G win with Friday’s victory over Illinois. All the major scoring for Nebraska came in a 10-second span in the second quarter while Heinrich Haarberg led another win.
7. Rutgers (4-2)
Last week: at Wisconsin, L 24-13
Greg Schiano’s program fought hard against Wisconsin but could not provide a punch to flip the game when Rutgers needed it. The Scarlet Knights need 2 wins to get to a bowl game, but they better get those wins in the next two weeks. A brutal November schedule awaits.
6. Iowa (5-1)
Last week: vs. Purdue, W 20-14
The Hawkeyes continue to fall below the 25 points per game mark OC Brian Ferentz is shooting for this season, but they did so in another win. Deacon Hill — the team’s new starter at QB — was 6-for-21 passing in the game, but Kirk Ferentz noted the team did not consider a change at any point.
5. Wisconsin (4-1)
Last week: vs. Rutgers, W 24-13
Wisconsin recorded the win and Braelon Allen got to 100 yards against a tough Rutgers team. It’s still hard to get a full gauge on the Scarlet Knights, but Greg Schiano’s squad will always fight until the final whistle. The good news is Jackson Acker looks like a viable piece in the Badger backfield.
4. Maryland (5-1)
Last week: at Ohio State, L 37-17
Maryland ran out of firepower and had a few too many mistakes from QB Taulia Tagovailoa to hang with Ohio State. There’s no shame in that, but the Terrapins still look like a top-tier B1G team this season.
3. Penn State (5-0)
Last week: BYE
2. Ohio State (5-0)
Last week: vs. Maryland, W 37-17
Ohio State should be wary about its slow starts as we wade deeper into B1G play. Fortunately, the offense woke up in a major way during the second half. What should be noted: Ohio State’s defense looks much-improved and gave the Terrapins fits all game long.
1. Michigan (6-0)
Last week: at Minnesota, W 52-10
Michigan has faced back-to-back road games. Michigan has outscored opponents 97-17 in those wins. During the blowout over Minnesota, the Wolverine defense actually outscored the Gophers via a pair of pick-6 scores.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.