The Big Ten had the full gamut of performances, and the Hawks had maybe the worst showing of the week. Quarterbacks are just cursed at Iowa. It doesn’t help when Tim Lester is calling plays like Brian Ferentz.
I’ll get into the Hawks in a little greater detail, but the Big Ten as a whole looked superior. The power ratings have shifted in a significant way this week. I can say with complete confidence that the Big Ten is once again the best conference in all the land.
1: Penn State
2-0, Vs. Villanova
(9/13)
I refuse to move Penn State out of the top spot until they prove otherwise. The Nitany Lions shut out FIU, 34-0, on Saturday. James Franklin is sleepwalking his way into Big Ten play, facing absolute cupcakes in Happy Valley. There are some worthy challengers who are ready to get a shot at Penn State, and we’ll see if the Nittany Lions are ready for it.
2: Ohio State
2-0, Vs. Ohio (9/13)
The Buckeyes just went ahead and beat the brakes off of Grambling on Saturday. At the first sign of Penn State weakness, I’m ready to move the Buckeyes into the top spot. Look out for Park Navarro and the Ohio Bobcats to give Ohio State a run for their money.
3: Oregon
2-0, @ Northwestern (9/13)
Hand up, I might have been a tad disrespectful to the Ducks to start the year. Oregon took Oklahoma State to the woodshed on Saturday with a 69-3 whooping. The Cowboys may be putrid, but smothering another Power four team by 66 points is impressive. It didn’t take long for the portal additions to get comfortable in Eugene. The Ducks are scary, especially when playing in Autzen Stadium. The top 3 in the Big Ten are in a league of their own; there is a fall-off of talent after Oregon.
4: Illinois
2-0, Vs. Western Michigan (9/13)
Among the mortals of the Big Ten, I have Illinois as the best of the bunch. The Illini went down to Durham and took care of business against Duke. I love Luke Altmyer as a sneaky Heisman candidate this year. I have to admire the job that Brett Beilemma has done. The former Hawkeye has turned a bottom-half program into a respectable Big Ten program. Beth Goetz should give him a call.
5: USC
2-0, @ Purdue (9/13)
The Trojans have it rolling down in Los Angeles. It took one year for Lincoln Riley to adjust to the Big Ten, but they’re ready. The stars are bright for the Trojans in 2025, especially on offense. Jayden Maiva is Lincoln Riley’s next generational quarterback. Maiva’s play is spectacular enough to win games when the defense is lacking. The Trojans have definite holes, especially defensively, but the firepower appears to be legit and dangerous. USC is heading to West Lafayette and getting a solid test against a well-coached Purdue squad.
6: Michigan
1-1, Vs. Central Michigan (9/13)
Bryce Underwood may have a small attitude problem. You’re not going to see me disparage the kid’s talent because when it’s there, it’s special. The pouting and fighting on the sideline is an awful sight if you’re a Michigan fan. Twelve million going to Underwood doesn’t sit as well when he appears to be unhappy. Sherrone Moore needs to take back control soon, or else this season might get off the rails quickly for the Wolverines.
7: Indiana
2-0, Vs. Indiana State (9/12)
Curt Cignetti got the Hoosiers in line after their sloppy week one performance. The Hoosiers looked much sharper on Saturday, smacking Kennesaw State, who played Wake Forest very close a week ago. Fernando Mendoza looked crisp and found Elijah Surrat for three scores. Safety Luis Moore has two interceptions in the back end of the defense. The Hoosiers should be rolling at full strength by the time they play a formidable squad.
8: Washington
2-0, @ Washington State (9/13)
Jonah Coleman set a career record for rushing touchdowns with 5 on Saturday. It’s been smooth sailing for the Huskies up to this point. They face their first challenge of the 2025 campaign, heading to Pullman to battle Wazzu. Shoutout to the Apple Cup, it’s a criminally underrated rivalry.
9: Nebraska
2-0, Vs. Houston Christian (9/13)
After the tough loss this weekend, I can at least take solace in the fact that Dylan Raiola is the most blatant copycat to exist. Raiola has the same haircuts, mannerisms, number, and now his tight end has a very public engagement. It’s getting really embarrassing at this point, but I love it. Unfortunately, I think the Huskers are just barely edging out the Hawks in the power ratings. Yuck.
10: Iowa
1-1, Vs UMass (9/13)
It’s just the same thing every single year. There are no words to describe the bizarre nature of the quarterback position with the Hawks. Ferentz is a master of finding talented quarterbacks and crushing their spirit. I honestly feel bad for Mark Gronowski. The guy had a long list of Power Four programs interested and he chose wrong. There is just no way the Iowa Gronowski is the same one that was at SDSU. Ferentz needs to hang it up if we want to see the forward pass be successful in Iowa City. The air is completely out of the tires for me. Wake me up when we change leadership.
11: Michigan State
2-0, Vs. Youngstown State (9/13)
Aidan Chiles is starting to figure out this quarterback thing. Chiles had a career game on Saturday against Boston College, winning an overtime thriller. Jonathan Smith has the arrow pointing up in East Lansing, but there is still a long way to go.
12: Minnesota
2-0, @ Cal (9/13)
The Gophers looked amazing against the worst FCS team in the country. They ran out of fireworks from the barrage of touchdowns. This weekend will be a rude awakening for the Gophers. They take a long trip out to play the Golden Bears at night. I see Cal dismantling the Gophers and welcoming them to Power Four football.
13: Wisconsin
2-0, @ Alabama (9/13)
Good luck, Badgers. The Crimson Tide are going to have their way with Wisconsin down in Tuscaloosa. I hope for the Big Ten’s sake that the Badgers keep it close with the Tide, but I don’t see that happening. Alabama opens up as a 20-point favorite, and that seems generous for Wisconsin.
14: Maryland
2-0, Vs. Towson (9/13)
The offense sputtered a little bit last week, but I still have some hope for the Terrapins. Malik Washington has some juice and maybe enough to save Mike Locksley’s job. Maryland has an extremely easy schedule in the Big Ten, so a bowl game isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
15: Rutgers
2-0, Vs. Norfolk State (9/13)
(Inarticulate Italian Noises)
16: Purdue
2-0, Vs. USC (9/13)
Can Purdue be the little engine that could on Saturday? Barry Odom is a great coach, but the roster is still a couple of hard years away. We’ll find out what kind of scrap these Boilermakers can muster. If the Trojans make too many mistakes, they may find themselves entrenched in a battle in West Lafayette
17: Northwestern
1-1, Vs. Oregon (9/13)
Cover your eyes, folks, there’s going to be a murder in Evanston on Saturday. Those poor Cats are doomed.
18: UCLA
0-2, Vs. New Mexico (9/12)
Nico Iamaleava might have made the worst transfer choice in college football history. Tennessee has been impressive so far, while UCLA is a dumpster fire. Being this bad with loads of talent is borderline impressive by Deshaun Foster. We’ll always have the worst Big Ten media days press conference to look back on Foster’s time with UCLA. The Bruins are in complete disarray, and so is Iamaleava.
The season is still so young, but it really feels like the wind is out of the sails. We have to keep on marching even if we’re sick and tired of the product. There is nowhere to go but up for the Hawks from now on. Ferentz is good at keeping the train on the tracks even in what could easily be tumultuous seasons. All we can do is stay positive and tailgate our faces off. Enjoy football this weekend, and GO HAWKS!
