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B1G Power Rankings: Cellar dwellers make strong early statements

Connor O'Gara

By Connor O'Gara

Published:

Don’t look now, but the B1G is on the rise.

That was the feeling after an impressive opening weekend from the conference that saw 11 wins and two losses. The two losses, however, were both impressive showings from Purdue and Rutgers against ranked foes.

Couple that with the fact that Michigan pounded Florida in Dallas and Maryland stunned Texas in Tom Herman’s debut and what’s not to like?

No B1G team suffered an embarrassing loss, though Illinois, Northwestern and Nebraska came close. Still, it was a solid opening weekend from the B1G.

That made the first edition of B1G Power Rankings that much more difficult. Keep in mind that these rankings aren’t based entirely on opening weekend performances. It’s a factor, but so is the preseason outlook for the team. I like to say that these rankings are based on how comfortable I would feel betting on a team to win a neutral site game against any opponent.

So with that, here are this week’s B1G Power Rankings:

14. Illinois

When you can’t cover a six-point spread at home against Ball State, you earn the last spot of our B1G Power Rankings. There’s plenty of work for that offense in Year 2 of the Lovie Smith era.

13. Rutgers

Hey, now. For the vast majority of that game, the Scarlet Knights went toe-to-toe with a team coming off a College Football Playoff berth. Rutgers looked much improved against the run against Washington, which could prevent those massive blowouts against B1G East teams.

12. Minnesota

The Gophers were, well, not elite in the first game of the P.J. Fleck era. Beating Buffalo by 10 at home was troublesome, though the passing game already looked better than it did last year. At Oregon State next week is no gimme.

Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

11. Purdue

Welcome to the B1G, Jeff Brohm. Purdue’s performance on Saturday night against Louisville was more impressive than any we saw during the Darrell Hazell era. Even without a healthy David Blough, the Boilermakers had a legitimate chance to knock off the Heisman Trophy winner at a neutral site. Not. Too. Shabby.

10. Michigan State

As usual, MSU is a mystery. Brian Lewerke looked solid, as did the MSU defense albeit against Bowling Green. This was a team that only won one game by more than two touchdowns last year (Rutgers), so Saturday was still a step in the right direction.

9. Indiana

How many teams in the B1G had a third-quarter lead against the No. 2 team in America? The one in Bloomington did. It was a solid start and a disheartening finish from an Indiana team that looks like it can be dangerous with Tom Allen leading that defense. Still, the offensive mistakes need to be reduced.

8. Northwestern

If these rankings were based entirely on just the Week 1 performance, the Wildcats would be around No. 12-13. Northwestern should not have trailed by double digits at halftime at home against Nevada. Costly turnovers and struggles stopping the run game made it closer than it needed to be. But the Wildcats still have one of the better quarterback-running back combinations in the country in Clayton Thorson and Justin Jackson. Let’s not completely bail on them making noise in the West.

7. Nebraska

Speaking of too-close-for-comfort openers, Husker fans might’ve had some BYU flashbacks on Arkansas State’s final drive. Bob Diaco’s 3-4 is certainly still a work in progress, to say the least. The Huskers have work to improve their pass defense, but at the very least, Tanner Lee and the offense looked as advertised.

Credit: John Gutierrez-USA TODAY Sports

6. Maryland

So, um, who saw that coming? Last year, Maryland was outscored 149-13 against ranked opponents. The Terps upset of Texas was arguably the biggest between Power 5 teams on opening weekend. Texas might not be back, but Maryland’s ground game is. The Terps ran all over Tom Herman’s lackluster defense and looked significantly improved with Tyrrell Pigrome/Kasim Hill at quarterback. Can the Terps shake things up in the B1G East?

5. Iowa

With the exception of Michigan, no B1G team had a better defensive performance than the Hawkeyes. Hyped NFL draft prospect Josh Allen had nothing going all day against Josey Jewell and the Iowa defense. Nathan Stanley’s ball security needs to improve, but for his first start, he made the plays he needed to make sure the Hawkeyes’ impressive defensive effort didn’t go to waste. And yes, Iowa’s 1-2 punch at tailback looks like a force (34 carries, 163 yards).

4. Wisconsin

Talk about Jekyll and Hyde. The Badgers were a completely different team in the second half against Utah State, and the scoreboard reflected that. Wisconsin started forcing turnovers and finishing off drives like many expected them to do from the start. They won’t be able to overcome slow starts like that against better B1G teams, but for now, the Badgers are still among the conference’s best.

3. Michigan

Apparently Don Brown knows how to coach up a defense. Who knew? If not for those two pick-sixes, the final score would’ve indicated an even more dominant defensive effort from the Wolverines. Yeah, the Gators are still a mess on offense, but Michigan made what was supposed to be an improved offensive line look sluggish. If Michigan can establish the run like that and avoid back-breaking turnovers, it’s absolutely a three-team race in the East.

Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

2. Penn State

The Lions destroyed Akron, Akron, Akron, Akron, Akron. As expected, Penn State was its 2016 self. It’s always a good day when Saquon Barkley racks up 12 yards per carry and he gets to spend the fourth quarter on the sidelines. They’ll see a different challenge when Pitt rolls into town next week. But at the same time, Penn State will be a totally different team than the one the Panthers beat in Pittsburgh last year.

1. Ohio State

This just in: Kevin Wilson knows how to run an offense. It was a slow start, but once the Buckeyes got rolling in the third quarter, Indiana’s talented defense had no response. Here’s something to consider. Maryland was the only B1G road game that OSU won by more than a touchdown last year. J.T. Barrett and the Ohio State receivers need to be better, but we’re already seeing why Wilson’s offense can be scary at OSU. Who’s ready for that Oklahoma showdown next week?

Connor O'Gara

Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.