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 3 is in the books, and for many the non-conference is wrapping up. Let’s get to it!
1. Ohio State
Seems the non-conference doldrums come for everyone at some point, as Ohio State beat Ohio 37-9, but were only up 13-3 at the half. The Buckeyes head to the Bye week next.
2. Penn State
Penn State defeated Villanova 52-6, which absolutely masks some of the issues the team faced. The Lions head to the bye with the hope they can get some things right.
3. Oregon
The Ducks beat Northwestern 34-14, which does show that they are also mortal. Up next, Oregon takes on in-state rival Oregon State before heading east for the White Out.
4. Illinois
The Illini beat Western Michigan 38-0, closing out their non-conference slate at 3-0. Up next, two playoff hopefuls show down as Illinois heads east to Indiana.
5. USC
The Trojans beat Purdue 33-17, notching a conference win and keeping them at the top of Tier 3. Michigan State comes to town next.
6. Nebraska
The Cornhuskers defeated Houston Christian 59-7, that’s about the long and short of it. Big Red takes on Michigan next.
7. Indiana
The Hoosiers took it to Indiana State 73-0, but the game against the Illini will give a good indication of who this team really is.
8. Michigan
The Wolverines got back in the W column, defeating Central Michigan 63-3. The game against Nebraska may move one of the two teams up (or down) a tier.
9. Iowa
The Hawkeyes defeated UMass 47-7 to also get back into the win category, but there are still questions about the offense. Iowa heads out to take on Rutgers next.
10. Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights beat Norfolk State 60-10, moving them to the top of Tier 4. A win over Iowa would push them up to the next level.
11. Michigan State
The Spartans beat Youngstown State 41-24, which is really only so-so. Heading out to take on USC would be a chance for a huge statement.
12. Maryland
A 44-17 win over Towson is expected, but a win on the road against Wisconsin could cement the Terps in bowl status.
13. Washington
The Huskies were on a Bye, but head out to take on Washington State in the Apple Cup next week.
14. Wisconsin
The Badgers lost to Alabama 38-14, which by itself isn’t that bad. But Wisconsin never looked particularly competent, which portends bad things. Maryland comes to town next, which will help stratify these teams a bit.
15. Minnesota
The Gophers lost to Cal 27-14 in a classic Big Ten-ACC showdown. Conference realignment is dumb sometimes, but in any case, Minnesota just didn’t have any pep, and showed that they may struggle to make a bowl this year. The Bye week beckons.
16. Purdue
The Boilermakers gave a good fight but succumbed to USC. Purdue heads out to take on Notre Dame and has a chance to do the funniest thing.
17. Northwestern
Northwestern couldn’t quite take down Oregon, but at least put up a good fight in the process. They head to the Bye.
18. UCLA
In what was by FAR the worst loss in the conference, UCLA got demolished by New Mexico 35-10. The Bruins fired their coach and may not win a game this year. They head to the Bye in shambles.
The top and middle are fairly steady, but the bottom is getting pretty squiggly.
The top nine teams stay in order: Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, Illinois, USC, Nebraska, Indiana, Michigan, and Iowa. Rutgers, Michigan State, and Maryland all jump up. Washington stays put, while Wisconsin and Minnesota fall. Purdue, Northwestern, and UCLA round out the bottom of the conference.
On to Week 4!
