Ad Disclosure
Big Ten Power Rankings are getting updated as we roll out of Week 9 of the season! At this point, the B1G Championship Race has tightened considerably and will get even tighter in Week 10.
All 3 remaining undefeated teams — Indiana, Penn State and Oregon — played and remained undefeated in Week 9. Ohio State, the only team with 1 conference loss, avoided a disastrous setback vs. Nebraska and will now try to make things interesting to open November when the Buckeyes face Penn State.
Meanwhile, Oregon makes its first trek to the Big House as a B1G program this weekend while the Hoosiers put their magical season to the test with a road game vs. Michigan State. Fans await to see if Kurtis Rourke is able to return, but Indiana looked impressive on both sides of the ball vs. Washington.
For now, here are Tradition’s latest B1G Power Rankings as we hit November:
18. Purdue (1-6)
Last week: BYE
17. Northwestern (3-5)
Last week: at Iowa, L 40-14
Northwestern regularly reminds fans everywhere that this is a year of taking a step back after David Braun’s magical debut in 2023. After a stunning road victory and blowout over Maryland, the Wildcats have been outscored 63-17 in back-to-back losses. They’ll open November under .500, and the schedule leads me to believe they will not reach the breakeven mark this season.
16.UCLA (2-5)
Last week: BYE
15. Rutgers (4-4)
Last week: at USC, L 42-20
I truly did not expect Rutgers to suddenly forget how to play defense this fall. The Scarlet Knights are now 1-4 in the B1G with a 4-game losing streak and have given up 35+ points in 3 straight games. The bye is welcome in Week 10, but it’s unclear where the answers may be for this team.
14. USC (4-4)
Last week: vs. Rutgers, W 42-20
USC finally found a way to blow out a team it should have, racking up points in bunches. And for a team that has had trouble finishing off opponents, the Trojans found the way to put this one to bed before the 4th quarter rolled around. Now, can they do it on the road against Washington?
13. Maryland (4-4)
Last week: at Minnesota, L 48-23
It’s 2 steps forward, and 1 step back for Mike Locksley this season. After the thrilling comeback against USC, the Terrapins went and laid an absolute dude on the road against Minnesota. Maryland’s next bye comes in Week 10, but the next game comes on the road… at Oregon. That one could get very ugly.
12. Michigan State (4-4)
Last week: at Michigan, L 24-17
Two things can be true: Jonathan Smith had his team in position to win a game many never expected entering the season, and it’s a bad look to lose that game to that Michigan squad. The Spartans actually outgained the Wolverines and held the ball for nearly 15 minutes longer. A missed chip-shot field goal and a decision to push for points that resulted in a turnover just before halftime loom large.
11. Washington (4-4)
Last week: at Indiana, L 31-17
Washington had its chance in this one, even after Will Rogers threw a pair of early first-half interceptions. The difference in this one boils down to Indiana’s ability to adjust and switch to a ground-and-pound approach in the 2nd half. That move allowed Indiana to milk away the clock while also cashing in on some long, sustained drives to stretch the lead.
10. Minnesota (5-3)
Last week: vs. Maryland, W 48-23
Don’t look now, but Minnesota is on a 3-game winning streak with all sorts of momentum heading into a Week 10 road trip against Illinois. One more win sends the Gophers to a bowl game (the old-fashioned 6-wins way), and Max Brosmer has found his rhythm as a B1G QB.
9. Michigan (5-3)
Last week: vs. Michigan State, W 24-17
I’m not sure it’s safe to say Michigan found its identity against Michigan State. The Spartans actually outgained UM by a healthy margin and held the ball for a considerably wider margin. But Michigan made the big plays when it needed to, including 2 touchdowns to Colston Loveland.
8. Iowa (5-3)
Last week: vs. Northwestern, W 40-14
Take away a pick-6 thrown by Cade McNamara, and this would go down as nearly a flawless outing for Iowa. Kaleb Johnson had a hat trick, Brendan Sullivan showed what he can do with an extended stretch leading the offense, and the Hawkeye defense did not allow any points (a pick-6 and punt return accounted for Northwestern’s points). Now, it’s time to see if Kirk Ferentz is willing to make what looks to be a necessary QB change.
7. Wisconsin (5-3)
Last week: vs. Penn State, L 28-13
Wisconsin saw its 3-game winning streak brought to a halt, mainly because Penn State brought the Badger ground game to a halt. Tawee Walker did score a touchdown, giving him a score in 4 of his last 5 games, but he was limited to just 2.7 yards per carry and 59 yards overall.
6. Nebraska (5-3)
Last week: at Ohio State, L 21-17
It was there for the taking. Matt Rhule had his guys on the cusp of the biggest win of his Nebraska tenure — and clinching bowl eligibility. Unfortunately, the Huskers could not get the stop they needed in the 4th quarter after taking the lead over Ohio State. The potential silver lining? Rhule believes he saw a championship mindset from his squad.
5. Illinois (6-2)
Last week: at Oregon, L 38-9
Illinois came out flat and lifeless in its first West Coast challenge in the new B1G. Part of that has to do with the travel and last week’s emotional win over Michigan, but an even bigger part of that has to do with Oregon. It’s okay that the Illini can’t keep up with the Ducks right now, provided Bret Bielema gets his group to respond and not let this loss snowball.
4. Indiana (8-0)
Last week: vs. Washington, W 31-17
Indiana only remains behind some traditional B1G stalwarts because 6 of its 8 wins have come at home this season. But make no mistake about it: The Hoosiers have been dominant in every facet of games. Indiana is 2nd nationally in offensive points per game (46.5). Indiana is also tied for 12th nationally with a +8 turnover differential. If Curt Cignetti can get his guys to stay the course, something truly special is possible in Bloomington.
3. Penn State (7-0)
Last week: at Wisconsin, W 28-13
Give credit where credit is due. With starting QB Drew Allar knocked out of the game at halftime with an injury, Penn State’s defense and backup QB Beau Pribula did enough to keep a spirited Wisconsin team at bay. It wasn’t the prettiest game of the season, but considering the hand they were dealt, it’s a quality win for the Nittany Lions. Now, it’s important to find out if Drew Allar will be healthy enough to face Ohio State.
2. Ohio State (6-1)
Last week: vs. Nebraska, W 21-17
Was this week’s game against Nebraska just a perfectly placed trap game by the schedule makers? It’s possible, considering the Buckeyes sandwiched a bye week and the Huskers in between games against top 5 opponents in Oregon and Penn State. We’ll learn a lot about Ohio State — and the B1G as whole — in Happy Valley this week.
1. Oregon (8-0)
Last week: vs. Illinois, W 38-9
Oregon has not taken the mantle of being the No. 1 team lightly. Since assuming the top spot in the AP Poll, the Ducks are 2-0 while outscoring opponents 73-9. They’ll need to regroup and stay focused to avoid the dreaded 2+ time zone road trip against Michigan. The good news is Dillon Gabriel is looking like the QB many expected in the offseason and the ground game continues to cause problems.
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.