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Big Ten Power Rankings are updated through Week 6 of the season, and this past weekend was particularly wacky and wild across the country!
In the B1G, that included a pair of top-15 teams losing in USC and Michigan. As a result, the Trojans dropped out of the AP Top 25 while the Wolverines are all the way down to No. 24.
Meanwhile, the top 5 of the AP Poll became crowded with B1G teams as Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State occupied spots 2-4. Indiana, still rolling in its undefeated start to the season, is now 6-0 and up to 18th in the country.
The new age of the B1G is certainly wild, and it’s led to some interesting results in our updated Power Rankings. Let’s dive in!
18. Purdue (1-4)
Last week: at Wisconsin, L 52-6
Purdue is squarely in the mix to be named the worst team in a power conference this season. The Boilermakers are winless in 4 games against non-FCS opponents, and the schedule does not get any easier. If Purdue cannot show signs of improvement, Ryan Walters may be in trouble.
17. Northwestern (2-3)
Last week: vs. Indiana, L 41-24
Northwestern had some growth at the QB position with Jack Lausch’s performance against Indiana, but the Wildcats were mostly dreadful in the ground game, save for a 35-yard pickup from Joseph Himon II. The Wildcats and Purdue will get to battle it out for the cellar here in November. For now, Northwestern gets the slight edge.
16. UCLA (1-3)
Last week: at Penn State, L 27-11
Considering the circumstances, UCLA hung pretty tough in a road matchup against Penn State. Ethan Garbers was sidelined with an injury and that certainly impacted the game. QB Justyn Martin delivered a bright spot in Week 6, but the Bruins must find a few wins somewhere on the schedule to avoid a total meltdown.
15. Maryland (3-2)
Last week: BYE
14. Wisconsin (3-2)
Last week: vs. Purdue, W 52-6
Wisconsin can still beat Purdue, running its winning streak against the Boilermakers to 18 straight. Tawee Walker registered a hat trick in his first game as the lead option in the backfield. Now, it will be back on the road to see if the Badgers can do the same against a Rutgers team with a functioning defense.
13. Michigan State (3-3)
Last week: at Oregon, L 31-10
Michigan State was lifeless for much of the game vs. Oregon and fell behind 31-0 before the Ducks pulled off. The Spartans were actually +1 in the turnover margin so that’s a good sign. However, 250 yards of offense and 2-for-11 on 3rd down will not win many games.
12. USC (3-2)
Last week: at Minnesota, L 24-17
Lincoln Riley cannot get out of his own way it seems. At one point, the Trojans held the ball at a 7-point lead with a chance to put the game away. Then, USC went interception, 3-and-out, and interception on its final drives of the game as Minnesota scored 14 points in the 4th for a win.
11. Minnesota (3-3)
Last week: vs. USC, W 24-17
Minnesota is developing a flair for the dramatic, recording takeaways and touchdowns at a torrid pace in the 2nd half of games. The Gophers have scored 35 points in the 4th quarter in the past 2 weeks, only this time it paid off against USC. PJ Fleck’s team has plenty to clean up, but Darius Taylor and the defense will keep the Gophers in games throughout the season.
10. Iowa (3-2)
Last week: at Ohio State, L 35-7
After a string of positive performances, it’s hard not to feel like this is the same old Iowa. Granted, Ohio State’s defense is elite — especially at home — but the Hawkeye defense had Iowa in the game at halftime. Then, Ohio State exploded for a 21-0 3rd quarter, and it was history from there.
9. Michigan (4-2)
Last week: at Washington, L 27-17
Michigan’s got some serious issues this season. Already, the Wolverines have utilized 2 starting QBs who have each been replaced in the middle of a game. The latest game featured Alex Orji replaced by Jack Tuttle, and it sure looks like Tuttle will get a start if he’s totally healthy moving forward.
8. Washington (4-2)
Last week: vs. Michigan, W 27-17
Washington just might be able to make some noise in the B1G race after all. The Huskies certainly have the offense to make it happen after 429 yards against Michigan, but they also have been prone to mistakes that led to the 2 losses. Washington’s next 4 games go at Iowa, at Indiana, vs. USC and at Penn State, so we’re about to find out a lot about this team.
7. Rutgers (4-1)
Last week: at Nebraska, L 14-7
Rutgers fought like only a Greg Schiano team can fight in an otherwise ugly game. A touchdown late in the 4th quarter kept this one in doubt to the very end, even while the Scarlet Knights went 15-for-37 passing the ball and averaged just 2.4 yards per carry. A bowl game is still very much in play for Rutgers.
6. Nebraska (5-1)
Last week: vs. Rutgers, W 14-7
Nebraska’s defense was on fire in a sweltering showdown vs. Rutgers. That was needed because the Huskers rode a pair of first-half touchdowns to a hard-fought win. Now, Matt Rhule has his team just 1 win away from a return to the postseason with 6 games left on the schedule.
5. Illinois (4-1)
Last week: BYE
4. Indiana (6-0)
Last week: at Northwestern, W 41-24
Don’t pinch yourself too hard, Hoosier fans. Curt Cignetti does indeed have IU back into a bowl game, and it’s a 6-0 start of epic proportions. Indiana has scored 40+ points in 5 straight games and truly has one of the most efficient offensive attacks in the country. Can they keep it up?
3. Penn State (5-0)
Last week: vs. UCLA, W 27-11
Penn State was not playing exciting football against UCLA, but this one did come with a true caveat. The Nittany Lions found out just before kickoff that Nicholas Singleton was unable to go against the Bruins. That probably led to some more conservative decisions than originally planned, but Penn State controlled this game from start to finish.
2. Oregon (5-0)
Last week: vs. Michigan State, W 31-10
Oregon has looked better since the first few games of the season, but the Ducks have still left something to be desired in the last 2 wins over UCLA and Michigan State. Dillon Gabriel throwing 3 interceptions probably has a lot to do with that. However, Jordan James is heating up the ground game, and Oregon gets its chance to go toe-to-toe with Ohio State in Week 7.
1. Ohio State (5-0)
Last week: vs. Iowa, W 35-7
Ohio State was sluggish to start the game against Iowa with a fumble, interception and turnover on downs against the Hawkeye defense. However, the 2nd half was a different story with the offense catching fire and the defense continuing to dominate. The Buckeyes get their biggest test of the season to date in Week 7, and it’s a road game in Eugene. A win cements Ohio State’s place as the top dog in the new B1G. A loss opens up more questions for Ryan Day.
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.