Big Ten action is through Week 5 of the regular season, and it’s time to reset our weekly power rankings at Tradition!

Over the weekend, fans got their first taste of a B1G-only schedule. A total of 16 teams were in action with 8 games across Friday and Saturday.

As we head into October, a total of 5 B1G teams made it through September with an undefeated record. The most notable team from that group is Indiana with the Hoosiers 5-0 for the first time in 57 years and a chance to become the first team in the conference to 6 wins.

At the top of the league, it looks like the true group of elite contenders is made up of Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon. However, a couple of early 1-loss teams could certainly make some noise throughout October.

As we close the page on the first full month of the season, here’s how Tradition’s latest power rankings shape up:

18. Purdue (1-3)

Last week: vs. Nebraska, L 28-10

Purdue was able to keep Nebraska shut out at halftime, thanks in large part to a pair of blocked field goals. Unfortunately, the Boilermaker offense could not find the end zone until late, and it’s going to be tough to win a football game that way, provided you’re not Iowa.

17. Northwestern (2-2)

Last week: BYE

16. UCLA (1-3)

Last week: vs. Oregon, L 34-13

A key pick-6 ahead of halftime kept this game somewhat closer than expected instead of being a major blowout by the break. That doesn’t change the fact the Bruins are 0-3 against power conference teams with every loss by 17+ points.

15. Minnesota (2-3)

Last week: at Michigan, L 27-24

Minnesota came up with enough miscues to lose this game on its own, but the Golden Gophers are right to be pissed about a controversial offsides call on an onsides kick late in the 4th quarter. Unfortunately, PJ Fleck’s squad did not get one final chance at a big-time upset.

14. Maryland (3-2)

Last week: at Indiana, L 42-28

Maryland started strong but ran out of juice with Indiana pulling away in the 2nd half. Mike Locksley’s offense under Billy Edwards Jr. has been solid, but the defense leaves something to be desired. Losing the B1G matchups vs. Michigan State and Indiana also greatly hampers the hopes of a bowl game for the Terps.

13. Wisconsin (2-2)

Last week: at USC, L 38-21

Wisconsin had an 11-point lead at halftime vs. USC. Unfortunately, that’s about the equivalent of a 4-point lead against a coach like Lincoln Riley. The biggest problem for the Badgers — and head coach Luke Fickell — is the lack of a true identity. That’s further compounded by Braelon Allen dropping cryptic social media posts after the loss.

12. Washington (3-2)

Last week: at Rutgers, L 21-18

Washington cannot get out of its own way right now. In Week 5, the Huskies amassed over 500 yards of offense and did not commit a turnover but were 2-for-12 on 3rd downs and missed 3 field goals. The details matter, but there is still a lot to like about this team if they can just limit the miscues.

11. Michigan State (3-2)

Last week: vs. Ohio State, L 38-7

Michigan State opened Saturday’s game with a few surprising defensive stops. Unfortunately, Jeremiah Smith heated up in the 2nd quarter, and the Spartans still wound up in a -2 turnover differential. Michigan State is entering a stretch of games where the team may need to take some lumps, but an upset somewhere along the way opens up the chance to play for a bowl game.

10. Iowa (3-1)

Last week: BYE

9. Nebraska (4-1)

Last week: at Purdue, W 28-10

Nebraska did just about all it could to try and lose the game vs. Purdue. The Huskers were shut out in the first half with the rushing offense surprisingly stifled by one of the worst defenses in the country. Fortunately, the offense did not commit any turnovers, but horrific special teams and 11 penalties provide plenty of things to clean up this week.

8. Rutgers (4-0)

Last week: vs. Washington, W 21-18

Rutgers held on in back-to-back weeks, giving the Scarlet Knights a 4-0 start to the season. Considering the way the October schedule shapes up, there’s a chance the Scarlet Knights have secured their bowl ticket before we reach November. Regardless of when they get their 6th win, ESPN’s FPI has Rutgers with a 96.7% chance of reaching that level and getting to the postseason.

7. Indiana (5-0)

Last week: vs. Maryland, W 42-28

Curt Cignetti is still delivering on a weekly basis for Indiana with the Hoosiers growing in confidence each week. Indiana is now 5-0 for the first time since 1967 with a chance to become the first B1G team to 6 wins this year. That’s remarkable.

6. Illinois (4-1)

Last week: at Penn State, L 21-7

Illinois was able to stay in the Week 5 matchup vs. Penn State thanks to its vastly improved defense, but the Nittany Lions got after Luke Altmyer time and time again. It led to 7 sacks and 13 TFLs from Penn State. That’s a clear area that needs to be cleaned up moving forward.

5. USC (3-1)

Last week: vs. Wisconsin, W 38-21

One thing is for certain: USC and Lincoln Riley know how to rally. The Trojans also appear to have found a go-to WR in Ja’Kobi Lane. As long as Miller Moss remains healthy, USC should remain in the B1G (and Playoff) picture all season long.

4. Michigan (4-1)

Last week: vs. Minnesota, W 27-24

Michigan is playing with fire right now, there is no other way to put it. Alex Orji did show some improved flashes in Week 5, but the Wolverines still need more production out of their QB moving forward. It’s hard to envision the lack of a stable QB not coming back to haunt Michigan at key points this season.

3. Penn State (4-0)

Last week: vs. Illinois, W 21-7

Penn State clearly had a game plan to avoid a major mistake vs. Illinois and stuck to it. It resulted in Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton combining for 196 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, and this game probably wouldn’t have been close if the Nittany Lions didn’t miss a pair of field goals. That’s something to clean up moving forward.

2. Oregon (4-0)

Last week: at UCLA, W 34-13

Oregon had a familiar foe for its B1G opener, and it wasn’t any sort of dramatic outcome vs. the overmatched Bruins. A key mistake that led to a 96-yard pick-6 by UCLA at halftime allowed the score to remain closer than anticipated for a while, but the Ducks were in control all the way.

1. Ohio State (4-0)

Last week: at Michigan State, W 38-7

Ohio State was not quite crisp to open its first road game of the season. However, the Buckeyes found their footing in the 2nd quarter with Jeremiah Smith leading the way. Now, Ohio State will hit its first stretch of true tests in the B1G slate with a tough schedule in October.