Hello there and welcome to the Big Ten Power Rankings! Each week we’ll rank how the teams across the conference are playing, in the hopes of seeing just who is a contender, and who is a pretender over
the course of the season.
The rules are few, but resolute:
Teams are ranked by how they’re playing at that time. Not body of work, not rankings in the polls, but simply how each team is playing at that point in the season.
The approach to the rankings is not necessarily on the field results (though those do count, as an obvious, tangible data point), but more generally if the two teams played at a neutral site 100 times, which team would win 51 times (or more).
These rankings are subjective. As the author I get to follow the rules as closely or loosely as I want to, and if you don’t like the rankings, you’re wrong.
Week 9 is in the books, and the weekend was surprisingly calm. Let’s get to it!
Tier 1: Playoff Locks
Teams that are all but guaranteed to make the playoffs, if they continue to play the way they have played thus far.
1. Ohio State
OSU was on their second bye, resting up to demolish whoever their next foe is.
Oh. Oh no.
2. Indiana
The Hoosiers beat UCLA 56-6, and have moved into Death Star territory at this point. The playoffs are about as sure a thing as possible right now. Up next is Maryland.
3. Oregon
The Ducks were off their A game, as they had to scrape and claw their way past hapless Wisconsin 21-7. Bye week #2 comes at the perfect time.
Tier 2: Playoff Hopefuls
Teams that could very well end up in the playoffs, but need to continue to improve their resume and move up the rankings before they can make it.
4. USC
The Trojans were on their bye week, and will get back to it on the road against Nebraska next.
5. Michigan
The Wolverines managed a solid-if-unspectacular win against Michigan State, 31-20. They’ll take on Purdue next.
Tier 3: High-Level Bowl Teams
Teams that likely won’t make the playoffs, but will represent the conference in quality bowls, including the Citrus Bowl and the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
6. Iowa
The Hawkeyes shook off the close win over Penn State with a solid 41-3 win over Minnesota. Bye week #2 comes next.
7. Washington
The Huskies are surging, and dominated Illinois 42-25. They’ll head to the bye next.
8. Nebraska
The Cornhuskers needed everything in the tank to beat Northwestern 28-21, but they got the win. Next up is a visit from USC which will be a strong litmus test.
9. Minnesota
The Gophers took a beating, but remain a quality team. They’ll look to rebound against Michigan State next.
10. Illinois
The Illini couldn’t keep up with Washington, but will look to get back in the win column against Rutgers.
Tier 4: Low-Level Bowl Teams
Teams that will end up making it to a bowl game, but likely the bowls that aren’t quite as prestigious, including the Pinstripe Bowl and the Music City Bowl.
11. Northwestern
The Wildcats gave Nebraska everything they had, but came up just short. They’ll head to the bye week next.
12. UCLA
The Bruins’ meteoric rise came to a halt against Indiana, which is nothing to be ashamed of. The bye week beckons.
13. Maryland
The Terrapins were on their bye week, but will get back to it against Indiana. Good luck Terps!
14. Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights got back to .500 on the season with a 27-24 win over Purdue. They’ll try to keep the good vibes going with a win over Illinois next.
Tier 5: Bowl-Ineligible Teams
Teams that are on a trajectory to end the season below .500 and miss out on a post-season bowl game.
15. Michigan State
The Spartans hung tough with Michigan but couldn’t quite pull off the upset. They’ll take on Minnesota next.
16. Wisconsin
The Badgers made a show of it against Oregon, but couldn’t do the deed in the end. The bye week comes at an opportune moment.
17. Purdue
The Boilermakers fought hard against Rutgers, but couldn’t pull off the upset. They’ll head to Michigan next.
Tier 6: The Basement™
The worst of the worst, teams whose fans wear paper bags over their heads and count down the days until they have a new head coach.
18. Penn State
The Lions were mercifully on the bye, meaning they couldn’t lose! The “good” vibes come to an end this week, however, as they’ll head east to play Ohio State. Always a fun time when the worst team in these rankings plays the top team!
The squiggles are mostly quiet this week.
Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, USC, Michigan, and Iowa all stay stead at the top. The middle gets squiggly with Washington and Nebraska climbing, while Minnesota and Illinois tumble. Northwestern, UCLA, Maryland, Rutgers, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Penn State all stay in order in the bottom half of the conference.
On to Week 10.
