One of the big reasons why the SEC had long been considered the premier conference in college football was due to the fact that its teams often beat up on each other. You never knew what would happen if Georgia played South Carolina or if Florida and Tennessee faced each other. However, in the Big Ten, for the longest time, it was Michigan, Ohio State, and often Penn State -- and usually another team, such as MSU in the Mark Dantonio years or Wisconsin or Iowa. But beyond a handful of teams, that was it -- there were rarely upsets, save for the occasional one-off.
However, in Week 4, there were multiple upsets, near upsets, and close calls in the Big Ten.
It started on Friday night, when Northwestern went toe-to-toe with the defending national
champion, Indiana. It continued into Saturday, when Iowa shocked Michigan on the final play of the game, despite being dominated in everything but the scoreboard. It continued into Saturday evening and night, with Wisconsin coming back in Happy Valley to beat Penn State, and in Seattle, where Minnesota jumped all over Washington and held on for dear life.
As a result, our Big Ten power rankings have seen several major shifts, including at the top of the order, ranging all the way through the middle and near the bottom. Here is the latest after Week 4.
18. Purdue Boilermakers (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 18
Week 4 result: Notre Dame 49, Purdue 10
Purdue had the toughest test, via rankings, this week, and it failed miserably. Hosting the No. 3 Fighting Irish, the Boilermakers were down 35-0 at halftime and only put up any real resistance in the second half -- even though they were also outscored in the second half. The defense was abysmal, while the usual high-powered offense was completely overwhelmed and limited throughout, mustering just 218 yards overall. This team doesn't look like it's going anywhere fast.
17. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 17
Week 4 result: Rutgers 58, Howard 7
Rutgers finally got into the win column, although it did so against a lowly FCS team in Howard. With over 500 yards of offense, it was the defense that finally showed some life, allowing just 184 yards total to the Bison. A week after taking USC to the wire, it was a step in the right direction, even if it was against an overmatched opponent.
16. Maryland Terrapins (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 16
Week 4 result: UCLA 54, Maryland 3
After opening up the 2026 season looking solid, particularly on offense, the Terps got routed at home by an upstart UCLA team under Bob Chesney that looks like a real contender. That in itself isn't the problem, but the fact that Maryland was supposed to be, at the very least, on an even plane against the Bruins, only to lose by 51, shows that the Terrapins are moving backward at this point. With just 181 yards of total offense, and four interceptions thrown by Malik Washington, it doesn't appear as if Maryland is anything beyond a lower-tier Big Ten team after challenging for years to rise up to the next level.
15. Michigan State Spartans (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 14
Week 4 result: Nebraska 31, MSU 13
The 2-0 start had always looked like a bit of a paper tiger, but the hope was that Pat Fitzgerald had the Spartans ahead of schedule. After holding close for much of last week's game vs. Notre Dame, MSU hosted Nebraska and couldn't hang. The run game was particularly abysmal, as the Spartans mustered just 39 yards on 32 carries. If this is the standard at the moment, it's difficult to envision MSU winning many more games, given that every team on the schedule, except Rutgers, has shown more life, including the next opponent, Wisconsin, which just won in Happy Valley.
14. Illinois Fighting Illini (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 13
Week 4 result: Ohio State 42, Illinois 19
There's no shame in losing to Ohio State for a team like Illinois, especially when on the road in Columbus. But the Illini never even really showed up, as it was never even really a game. The usually stout defense allowed Julian Sayin to pass for 367 yards and find wide receiver Jeremiah Smith in the end zone four times. Offensively, they were able to move the ball, but couldn't finish. Ultimately, OSU punted just twice, while Illinois had several drives that went for nine plays or more, but only found the end zone twice. With Purdue and MSU coming up, that may be the elixir that the Illini need.
13. Washington Huskies (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 10
Week 4 result: Minnesota 27, Washington 24
Washington has played with its food for weeks, showing little killer instinct against perceived lesser opponents. And the chickens came home to roost this week, with Minnesota crossing the country and jumping out to a 21-10 lead in Seattle. While the Huskies fought back and made the game close, the lack of a run game, with just 40 yards on the ground, highlighted an anemic offensive attack. And coupled with two Demond Williams interceptions, it was just enough for UW to leave home having been upset.
12. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 5
Week 4 result: Wisconsin 24, Penn State 20
Matt Campbell's first Big Ten game was one to forget, especially given that the Nittany Lions had a 20-10 lead and the ball halfway through the fourth quarter. But the offense stalled and so did the defense, as Wisconsin was able to sustain a methodical drive to pull within three and then another to take a late lead. Penn State's passing game was anemic, at best, with Rocco Becht throwing for just 114 yards and an interception, while Colton Joseph overcame three picks of his own to outduel the former Iowa State quarterback. There's promise in Happy Valley, but to allow a rebuilding Badger team to come into Happy Valley and win is not a good omen for the rest of the season.
11. Wisconsin Badgers (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 12
Week 4 result: Wisconsin 24, Penn State 20
It's rare that a team can be minus-two in the turnover margin and win, let alone on the road, let alone in Happy Valley. And yet, that's where the Badgers found themselves. One of three surprising upsets of the week, Wisconsin got a big shot in the arm by being able to take down Penn State on the road, and despite quarterback Colton Joseph throwing three picks, his two touchdowns and 235 yards -- much of which came late in the fourth quarter -- were enough to overcome the late 10-point deficit. Perhaps Luke Fickell is working with something, or perhaps it was a one-off. Either way, Wisconsin is currently 1-0 in the Big Ten, something that few people expected after the start of the season.
10. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 15
Week 4 result: Minnesota 27, Washington 24
A couple of weeks after being embarrassed at home by Mississippi State, the Gophers traveled all the way across the country and jumped all over Washington in Husky Stadium. The pass game was solid, but more so the defense traveled well, allowing just 40 yards rushing while picking off Demond Williams twice. Drake Lindsey threw three first-half touchdowns, which ended up being the difference, especially as Minnesota had to hold on for dear life as Washington tried to forge a comeback. Next week, the Gophers host Michigan football.
9. Northwestern Wildcats (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 11
Week 4 result: Indiana 29, Northwestern 23
Northwestern moves up after a loss, but it was a six-point road loss to the defending national champion. It wasn't without some controversial calls that helped IU along the way, but even so, the Wildcats showed some spirit, along with some late offense. Chip Kelly's offense with Aidan Chiles at the helm came alive in the second half, but the run game was anemic, with just 32 yards on 27 carries. Meanwhile, the defense, allowing 271 yards, including 203 yards by Lee Beebe Jr. was the difference, especially as Chiles outdueled Josh Hoover.
8. USC Trojans (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 8
Week 4 result: Oregon 41, USC 27
The hope was that things would be different for Lincoln Riley with a somewhat disjointed Oregon coming to the Coliseum; however, as it turns out, USC is just who it is. The defense continues to struggle, and this time, it did so without Dante Moore being in the game. But given that the Ducks have a capable backup in former Nebraska starter Dylan Raiola, it didn't matter. The Trojans allowed Raiola to pass for 289 yards after Moore was knocked out of the game, and while Jayden Maiava passed for 326 yards, he couldn't keep up with the Ducks attack. The defense continues to be a liability and it's unclear that USC will ever rise outside of the middle-of-the-pack in the Big Ten at this point.
7. Michigan Wolverines (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 7
Week 4 result: Iowa 20, Michigan 19
Michigan dominated everywhere but the scoreboard, with opportunity after opportunity to ice the game or put it away -- including just before Iowa's walk-off touchdown, when John Henry Daley's injury timeout allowed the Hawkeyes one final shot at the end zone instead of time likely running out once the ball was spotted. Ironically, it was probably the Wolverines' most complete game, with the offense and defense both playing well throughout, but ill-timed penalties and a turnover helped keep Iowa in the game, and ultimately, the Hawkeyes took advantage. Now, the margin for error is slim, given that this was a projected win, and Penn State, Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State still remain on the schedule. With this loss, Michigan will have to fight to be a nine-win team much more than it perhaps seemed in the preseason.
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 9
Week 4 result: Nebraska 31, MSU 13
It wasn't necessarily an emphatic performance, and in the recent past, Nebraska would be expected to win a game like this. However, expectations didn't always meet reality, with the Spartans often managing to beat or keep games close against the Huskers, even when Nebraska came in with higher expectations. The offense was solid, and the defense was stellar at stopping the run in East Lansing. Another win should be on the docket with Maryland coming to town before Indiana and Oregon loom.
5. UCLA Bruins (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 6
Week 4 result: UCLA 54, Maryland 3
Don't look now, but the Bruins aren't just undefeated; they're creaming everyone in sight. While the defense had been a liability in the early going, UCLA went into College Park and held what's usually a high-powered offensive attack to just three points, while turning Malik Washington over four times. UCLA did lose two fumbles but also managed to get one -- though having four total fumbles in the game is a problem that will need to be solved. The real test will come after the bye week, when UCLA will travel to Oregon. But after that, home games against Wisconsin, MSU, and Nevada before taking to the road against Illinois, appear manageable. The final three against Illinois, Michigan, and USC also appear to be manageable. At this juncture, UCLA is in the driver's seat for a potentially special season.
4. Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 4
Week 4 result: Iowa 20, Michigan 19
Iowa did beat Michigan on the scoreboard, but that was about it. While special teams answered the opening touchdown by the Wolverines with a kickoff return going the distance, that was about all the Hawkeyes could muster for much of the game. Hank Brown was in hell until the final two drives, and even then, several lucky bounces went Iowa's way. The defense struggled mightily to stop the Wolverine offense, and yet, with Michigan being unable to finish out drives, it allowed Iowa to hang in just enough to improbably walk off with the win in The Big House.
3. Oregon Ducks (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 3
Week 4 result: Oregon 41, USC 27
First off, our thoughts are with Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who was carted off the field early in the game. WolverinesWire was Moore's first interview back in 2018, back when the 2023 class prospect was offered by Jim Harbaugh as a seventh grader.
What was the most impressive is that the Ducks persevered despite the ballyhooed quarterback sustaining a frightening injury which saw him transported to the hospital in-game. Dylan Raiola took a step forward from his Nebraska days to throw all over the Trojans in Los Angeles. Though the defense allowed Jayden Maiava to throw for 326 yards, which kept USC in the game, eventually in the fourth quarter, Oregon fully took over and pulled away.
This team has flaws, as evidenced by the Week 2 loss to Oklahoma State. But in a gotta-have-it game, facing the utmost adversity, Oregon got it and stays alive in the playoff hunt. A bye week is up next, but then, the Ducks host an upstart UCLA team.
2. Indiana Hoosiers (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 1
Week 4 result: Indiana 29, Northwestern 23
When it needed a score or a stop, Indiana got one, but this was far too close for comfort for the national champs. Yes, Indiana made a living last year of winning close games, but usually that was against teams like Penn State or Iowa, which were previously considered to be the Hoosiers' betters. However, in the here and now, despite Northwestern being on the come-up, Indiana is supposed to be leagues and bounds better, and on Friday, it just wasn't.
Still, credit to Curt Cignetti's team for the win, but there are some chinks in the armor, and this team appears to be at least somewhat susceptible.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 2
Week 4 result: Ohio State 42, Illinois 19
This was the Ohio State team that was expected. Despite Illinois having some success moving the ball, the Buckeyes were never really in danger. The pass game continues to thrive, with Julian Sayin finding Jeremiah Smith for 217 yards in the Big Ten opener. The defense has some questions, given that the Illini were able to gain yardage (though not necessarily score), and considering what happened two weeks ago in Austin, that could be a harbinger of things to come given the difficulty of the schedule. But OSU prevailed in a big way against a decent opponent. With a road trip to Iowa City this next week, the Buckeyes likely gained back some swagger en route to the October 17 road game at Indiana.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Big Ten power rankings after Week 4: Upsets shake up the conference
