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Big Ten Power Rankings are getting another update as we come out of Week 8 of the season! While a couple of the league’s heavy hitters were idle across the weekend, a pair of undefeated teams maintained their hot starts.
Another B1G team, Illinois, clinched a bowl game with its 6th win of the season while some other teams stand at 5 wins on the year. And while the top of these power rankings remain relatively unchanged, the same cannot be said for the rest of the power rankings.
For now, expect the middle portion of these power rankings to flip-flop back and forth throughout the month of November as the top contenders continue jockeying for a trip to Indianapolis. For now, here are Tradition’s latest B1G Power Rankings heading toward Week 9.
18. Purdue (1-6)
Last week: vs. Oregon, L 35-0
One week removed from its best outing of the season, Purdue came crashing down to earth with a home shutout vs. Oregon. The only solace to that? The Ducks are now the No. 1 team in the country. Unfortunately, that does little for the Boilermakers with 6 straight losses.
17. Northwestern (3-4)
Last week: vs. Wisconsin, L 23-3
Northwestern is in a one step forward, two steps back pattern this season. QB Jack Lausch is a part of that, completing just 9-of-24 passes but also leading the Wildcats with 55 yards rushing. Considering the rest of the schedule, things could get rocky for Northwestern throughout November.
16.UCLA (2-5)
Last week: at Rutgers, W 35-32
UCLA has its first Big Ten win! This one was no fluke either with Ethan Garbers compiling over 400 yards of offense and 5 touchdowns on the road against Rutgers. UCLA has looked much better in the past 3 games, even though the Bruins have just one win in that stretch. Now, they’ll look to regroup over a bye.
15. USC (3-4)
Last week: at Maryland, L 29-28
Lincoln Riley has one thing right: This season is a new level of heartbreaking for the Trojans. USC has 4 losses, and every single one included the Trojans holding a 4th-quarter lead. Now for the real question: Is this a 2024 problem for USC, or is this a Riley problem?
14. Rutgers (4-3)
Last week: vs. UCLA, L 35-32
Rutgers has somehow forgotten how to play defense — at home — with 77 points given up across losses to Wisconsin and UCLA. Those teams are hardly viewed as offensive juggernauts this year, and the Scarlet Knights must now head to the West Coast to face the always potent USC offense. The pressure is about to be on if Rutgers wants to get back to a bowl game.
13. Minnesota (4-3)
Last week: BYE
12. Maryland (4-3)
Last week: vs. USC, W 29-28
Maryland needed a win to turn things around this season, but few fans could expect an outcome quite the way Week 8 turned out. The Terrapins erased a 14-point deficit and mounted a game-winning drive on the heels of a blocked field goal that would have iced the win for USC. Now, Maryland can try to find some momentum after getting back in the win column.
11. Michigan (4-3)
Last week: at Illinois, L 21-7
Michigan has serious issues at QB, and the problems look even worse coming out of Week 8. Jack Tuttle became the 3rd starter for the Wolverines in 7 games, but none of Tuttle, Alex Orji or Davis Warren instills a lot of confidence. Tuttle added to the woes with 2 turnovers in his 2nd straight game. Michigan desperately needs someone to hold onto the ball.
10. Washington (4-3)
Last week: BYE
9. Iowa (4-3)
Last week: at Michigan State, L 32-20
Questions about the QB are warranted. But what is going on with Iowa’s defense? The Hawkeyes allowed over 460 yards of offense and 5.3 yards per carry on the ground while Kaleb Johnson was held just shy of 100 yards rushing by the Spartans. It’s true Iowa gets a nice stretch of winnable games, but the one against Michigan State looked especially winnable.
8. Michigan State (4-3)
Last week: vs. Iowa, W 32-20
Talk about a program-building win for Jonathan Smith. Michigan State didn’t just stun Iowa, the Spartans looked like the better team in all 3 phases. Jonathan Kim’s record-setting leg carried the day while Aidan Chiles delivered his most consistent performance throughout. Nothing came easy against the Hawkeyes, but MSU made every play when it mattered.
7. Wisconsin (5-2)
Last week: at Northwestern, W 23-3
Wisconsin has found its rhythm with an offense that leans on Tawee Walker in the backfield and a defense that has been suffocating in recent weeks. This week, the Badgers also came up with some clutch special teams plays while blocking a punt and a field goal against the Wildcats. Luke Fickell is suddenly one win from a bowl game.
6. Nebraska (5-2)
Last week: at Indiana, L 56-7
Matt Rhule’s unit had a chance to show they belonged back in the AP Top 25 and as a team to watch over the 2nd half of the season for contending teams. Instead, the Huskers were steamrolled and dominated in every phase of the game during a blowout loss to Indiana. Now, Nebraska must try and find a way to bounce back against Ohio State.
5. Illinois (6-1)
Last week: vs. Michigan, W 21-7
This season has to feel pretty sweet for Bret Bielema. After weathering the storm of 2023 with a younger squad, those pieces that took their lumps last season delivered big performances in a 2nd-half lockdown of Michigan. The Illini will have their hands full against Oregon in Week 9, but the November schedule gives this group a legit shot at making a run at 9-10 wins.
4. Indiana (7-0)
Last week: vs. Nebraska, W 56-7
Don’t adjust your television set! Or rather, your computer screen. Indiana — yes, IU football — is 7-0 this season. Curt Cignetti’s offense is the real deal after putting up just shy of 500 total yards of offense against the Huskers. The injury to starting QB Kurtis Rourke is concerning, but Tayven Jackson at least looked nice in relief throughout the 2nd half.
3. Penn State (6-0)
Last week: BYE
2. Ohio State (5-1)
Last week: BYE
1. Oregon (7-0)
Last week: at Purdue, W 35-0
The only real concern was whether or not Oregon would lose focus and become a victim to Ross-Ade Stadium’s upset powers. That, uh… did not happen, to say the least. The Ducks came out of the short week with a dominant performance, even rising to No. 1 in the AP Poll after Texas’s loss to Georgia.
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.