Week six is bringing change to the power ratings in a considerable way. Penn State is the main culprit with a historical stinker against UCLA on Saturday. I can’t imagine what it would feel like to be James Franklin in Happy Valley. Unless there is a full 180, the outlook for the Nittany Lions hasn’t been this bleak since their scandal in 2011.
Other than Penn State’s freefall, it was mainly business from the rest of the conference. Week 7 should give us a much better slate with three big games. All
the top 6-rated teams face off against another team in that range. The Hawks being back in action should make this one of the best weekends of Big Ten football. Here’s where the Big Ten stands as we head into week 7.
1: Oregon
5-0, Vs Indiana (10/11)
Indiana vs Oregon is what dreams are made of. ESPN College Gameday will be in town, the weather is chilly, and CBS will cover the game. Asthetically, the Oregon green vs Indiana red will play so well on your TV. This top ten showdown’s most intriguing storyline is the colorful head coaches. This week, press conferences are a must-watch for Lanning and Citgnetti; fireworks are guaranteed. Oregon comes off a bye and gets the Hoosiers to travel through three time zones. If Indiana struggled with Iowa as much as they did, Oregon should have its way with the Hoosiers. The circus around the game will be much more entertaining than the on-field product. The Ducks should roll on Saturday.
2: Ohio State
5-0, @ Illinois (10/11)
The Buckeyes spanked the Gophers in the Shoe last Saturday, winning 42-3. Ohio State is starting to round into shape, and the country should take notice. Outside of the Big Ten, Miami is the only team that looks to be on the Buckeyes’ level. Julian Sayin is figuring out this quarterback thing quickly. Sayin was nearly perfect against the Gophers, scoring a 97.4/100 Quarterback rating. Ohio State is traveling to Champagne this weekend unfazed. The Buckeyes are an unstoppable tank that will crush you no matter how hard you fight. Vegas agrees, as Ohio State opens as two-touchdown road favorites.
3: Michigan
4-1, @ USC (10/11)
The Wolverines took down Wisconsin 24-10. Michigan was in control for most of the contest and won in typical fashion. They never win in flashy ways but never seem to be on the ropes. Justice Haynes is in the conversation as the best running back in college football. Michigan finally has some exciting players on the offensive side of the ball. On Saturday, the Wolverines must go out to Los Angeles as underdogs. West Coast trips rarely turn out well for the Eastern team. If Michigan can win, it’ll be in the playoff conversation.
4: Indiana
5-0, @ Oregon (10/11)
My one-week self-imposed Indiana slander suspension is now over. Week 7 is the spot where the Hoosiers finally run into a buzzsaw. Indiana is an excellent football team, don’t get me wrong. The Ducks are on an entirely different level. Cignetti getting Indiana to a top 25 team is impressive in itself. They’re still a ways off from building up to an absolute powerhouse. If you’re an Indiana fan, enjoy being ranked #7 while you can; it won’t last past Saturday.
5: USC
4-1, Vs. Michigan (10/11)
After an extra week of preparation, the Trojans get a crack at the Wolverines in the Coliseum. Quarterback Jayden Maiava will have his work cut out against the Wolverine secondary. The clashing styles will be a fun wrinkle for this game. A matchup of USC-Michigan feels like it should be a Rose Bowl and will be a sad reminder of the hack job of realignment that has taken place in college football. I will always back the original members of the Big Ten, but the Trojans will be able to control the game at home.
6: Illinois
4-1, Vs. Ohio State (10/11)
Illini fans, you need to soak up every ounce of Luke Altmeyer before he leaves. Altmeyer is a truly special quarterback, especially for Illinois. He was 19/22 for 391 yards with one touchdown against Purdue last Saturday. Remember his past performances after Ohio State takes them apart on Saturday. The Illini are an extremely respectable squad, but the Buckeyes will make them look like the minor leagues. I wish they could find a way, but it won’t happen. Altmeyer will look awful, so don’t let that fool you; he’s a spectacular quarterback.
7: Washington
4-1, Vs Rutgers (10/10)
The cardiac Huskies survived their trip to Maryland with late-game dramatics. Washington was down 20-3 going into the fourth quarter, then rattled off 21 unanswered points to seal the win. After Jonah Coleman struggled all day, Demond Williams was balling out to close out the game for the Huskies. It was a gutsy win for Jedd Fisch and Washington. They get to stay out West this week as the Scarlet Knights are coming to Seattle. The Huskies will take care of business against a reeling Rutgers team.
8: Nebraska
4-1, @ Maryland (10/11)
The Huskers beat the Spartans on Saturday, 38-27. Michigan State shot itself in the foot, and Raiola didn’t play well. Nebraska still took care of business in Lincoln despite my criticism. Getting the Huskers to play an actual road game will be something to look for. Nebraska has been able to feed off a home crowd all year. Now, they’ll head out to a sleepy Maryland to try and get above .500 in conference play.
9: Iowa
3-2, @ Wisconsin (10/11)
The Hawks head north to defend their Heartland trophy victory from 2024. Thankfully, Iowa gets back Mark Gronowksi in time to face the Badgers. To what extent he is healthy remains to be seen, but it can’t be much work than Hank Brown. Iowa opens as a field goal favorite on the road on Saturday. This is a pivotal game for the season. We should pack up the rest of the season if the Hawks lose. The Badgers are so pathetic right now, losing to them would be an embarrassment. Please don’t embarrass us, Kirk.
10: Maryland
4-1, Vs Nebraska (10/11)
The old Mike Locksley that I know reared his ugly head on Saturday. The Terrapins tucked into their shell in the fourth quarter and lost because of it. Maryland will likely continue their sad slide into irrelevance like it always does. The Terps have a fantastic opportunity to prove they’re different this year with a home win against Nebraska.
11: Michigan State
3-2, vs UCLA (10/11)
That Spartan defense is putrid. Aidan Chiles played like his old self again. Michigan State took a step back last weekend. They kept the score close with the Huskers, but it was never in doubt. Finding three more wins to get the Spartans to a bowl game will be a tall task.
12: Minnesota
3-2, vs Purdue (10/11)
The teams really fall off after we get here. I know it was Ohio State, but the Gophers looked lifeless. Getting to a bowl game is the only goal Gopher fans should have this season. Minnesota has a rebuilding Purdue squad at home this weekend. The Gophers should come away with their second conference win.
13: Wisconsin
2-3, Vs Iowa (10/11)
Wisconsin started its difficult month with a loss at Michigan, 24-10. The Badgers’ defense is solid, but the offense is an utter mess. Luke Fickell’s time in Wisconsin may be coming to a close sooner rather than later. If the Badgers find a way to lose to the Hawks, it’s decided that Fickell’s time is up.
14: UCLA
1-4, @ Michigan State (10/11)
Those Bruins had a little bit of magic in them last Saturday night. UCLA took down Penn State 42-37 in the Rose Bowl. Jerry Neuheisel has undoubtedly lit a fire underneath the UCLA players. When you were watching the game, you could feel a different energy they played with because of Neuheisel. Nico Iamaleava looked like his old Tennessee self, with over 100 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. The Bruins are now at least a frisky and fun story to look at the rest of the year. Enjoy your moment, Bruins fans, it may be a while till your next.
15: Rutgers
3-2, @ Washington (10/10)
(inarticulate Italian noises)
16: Purdue
2-3, @ Minnesota (10/11)
Despite the Boilermakers being very bad, they refuse to get blown out. Purdue is clearly building a culture with Barry Odom this season. Once the culture is in place, getting the players is crucial. Until we get there, the Boilermakers are a punchy but outmatched Big Ten bottom feeder.
17: Northwestern
3-2, @ Penn State (10/11)
The Wildcats beat UL Monroe convincingly, 42-3, on Saturday. The nerds should celebrate like there’s no tomorrow because that is the last freebie you’ll get.
18: Penn State
3-2, Vs Northwestern (10/11)
When you lose to the worst, you become the worst. Welcome to the bottom Penn State. Last Saturday was one of the darkest days in Nittany Lion history, and there have been plenty of those. Starting the year as one of the national title favorites, to now at the bottom of the Big Ten. James Franklin must pull a rabbit out of his hat to stick around. Franklin should not stay if given the chance. The relationship has clearly gotten stale over the past couple of years. It’d be best for both to go their separate ways.
The Hawks have a gateway game in Madison on Saturday. If we win, the season status is alive, and we stay in the fight. If we find a way to lose, I’ll have lost all hope for the season. Iowa has to walk into Madison and show the Badgers we still run this relationship. LETS GO HAWKS! Enjoy that fall weather, folks.
