The Big Ten football season is heating up, and with each passing week, the rankings are changing fast. While a few teams have lived up to the preseason hype, others have either fallen short or come out of nowhere to surprise fans and experts. This week’s power rankings are full of movement, unexpected drops, and some new names climbing into the top half of the conference.
Let’s break down where each team stands heading into the new week.
Record: 5-0
The Wolverines are still the team to beat in the Big Ten. With a strong defense and a balanced offense led by quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Michigan continues to look like a College Football Playoff contender. Their dominant win over Iowa last weekend solidified their top spot. As long as they avoid injuries, they’ll be in the driver’s seat for the Big Ten title.
Record: 5-0
Ohio State keeps winning, but not as convincingly as fans might expect. Their narrow win over Maryland raised some questions, especially about their offensive line and ability to protect Kyle McCord. Still, Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to shine, and their defense is improving. They remain a serious threat in the East.
Record: 5-0
Penn State has looked solid all season. Quarterback Drew Allar is growing into his role, and the defense has been one of the best in the nation. Their schedule gets tougher from here on out, so the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether they’re a playoff team or not. A huge test against Ohio State is looming.
Record: 4-1
Don’t look now, but Maryland is making noise. Even though they lost to Ohio State, they pushed the Buckeyes to the edge and looked strong for much of the game. Taulia Tagovailoa continues to play at a high level. If they can clean up mistakes, they might be this season’s dark horse in the Big Ten.
Record: 4-1
The Badgers are still figuring things out under new head coach Luke Fickell. Their offense has flashes of brilliance, but consistency is lacking. Braelon Allen remains a force at running back, but they’ll need more from quarterback Tanner Mordecai to compete with the top teams. A big test against Iowa is coming up.
Record: 4-2
Iowa’s defense is as tough as ever, but the offense is struggling. They couldn’t keep up with Michigan last week, and it showed just how far behind they are in terms of scoring firepower. The Hawkeyes need a better passing game if they want to win the Big Ten West.
Record: 4-2
Greg Schiano has this team playing hard. Rutgers isn’t flashy, but they grind out wins. They’ve already surpassed expectations and could make a bowl game if they keep it up. Their defense is disciplined, and quarterback Gavin Wimsatt is showing real progress.
Record: 3-2
Minnesota is a bit of a mystery this year. Some weeks they look like contenders, other weeks they’re hard to watch. Their loss to Northwestern earlier in the season still stings. They’ll need to win the winnable games ahead to stay relevant in the Big Ten West.
Record: 2-4
Illinois has been one of the biggest disappointments of the season so far. After a promising 2022 campaign, they’ve struggled on both sides of the ball this year. Quarterback play has been inconsistent, and the defense isn’t creating turnovers like they did last year.
Record: 2-3
Matt Rhule has a lot of work to do in Lincoln. Nebraska fans were hopeful coming into the season, but turnovers and penalties have hurt them badly. The good news? The defense is playing better. If the offense can take care of the ball, they could still fight for bowl eligibility.
Record: 2-4
Northwestern continues to show heart despite being in a rebuilding year. Their comeback win against Minnesota was one of the biggest shocks of the season so far. They don’t have the talent to compete with the top teams, but they’re scrappy and well-coached.
Record: 2-3
It’s been a tough season for the Hoosiers. Their offense can’t seem to get into rhythm, and the defense has had lapses at the worst times. With games against Michigan and Penn State still ahead, things may get worse before they get better.
Record: 1-5
Ryan Walters’ first year as head coach is turning into a rough one. Purdue has been competitive in most games but keeps coming up short. The offense, once a strength, has taken a step back. Their only win came against Illinois, and that might be it for a while.
Record: 2-4
It’s been a nightmare season for Michigan State. After the off-field drama with former head coach Mel Tucker, the team looks lost. They’ve been outclassed in every game against top competition and morale seems low. It’s going to be a long road back to relevance.
The Big Ten is shaping up to be a three-team race at the top with Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. But teams like Maryland and Wisconsin are making things interesting. Meanwhile, several programs are clearly in rebuilding mode, hoping to just stay competitive and find a few wins.
The next few weeks will be crucial, especially as the top teams begin to face off in key matchups that could determine the division champions and potential College Football Playoff teams.
In a conference as deep and competitive as the Big Ten, one upset can change everything—and you can bet there are more surprises coming soon.
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