Week 4 Big Ten Power Rankings

There were a couple of head-to-head Big Ten matchups this weekend. Now that week four of the college football season is over, it’s time to look at the power rankings in the conference. For a look at last week’s rankings, click here. First, the rankings will be broken up by the Big Ten East and the Big Ten West. Then, it will be an overall Big Ten power rankings in the end.

Big Ten Power Rankings East:

1: Michigan

It may have been a slow start, but the Michigan Wolverines are 4-0 with their win against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. This was a game that Michigan should have won at ease, and aside from that first Rutgers drive, they did. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy fixed up his game following his three interceptions in week three. This is keeping the Wolverines in first place in the Big East power rankings.

2: Penn State

The Penn State Nittany Lions are jumping back to second place in this week’s power rankings after their big win against Iowa. The crowd brought the energy in the White Out, giving the Nittany Lions a shutout win, 31-0. This was the dominating game the team needed to push them back up in the power rankings.

3: Ohio State

The Ohio State Buckeyes had some questionable play calls that made them almost lose their game against Notre Dame. The Buckeyes got the win, but it was a low-scoring battle. This puts them in third in the Big East for this week. Ohio State will have an early bye week, which could benefit them after Marvin Harrison Jr. sustained an ankle injury against Notre Dame.

4: Maryland

The Maryland Terrapins are 4-0 after a big win in week four. They defeated the Michigan State Spartans, 31-9. Defeating another Big Ten opponent by a big difference and staying undefeated is what puts Maryland up to fourth place in this week’s power rankings in the Big East. There is a good chance they can keep this up next weekend if they win by a high score again.

5: Rutgers

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are falling to fifth place in this week’s Big East rankings. They faced their first loss of the season against the Michigan Wolverines. Rutgers was expected to lose this game but showed glimmers of hope. Poor playcalling led to just one touchdown in the game. They will need a comeback win next week in order to move up again.

6: Indiana

The Indiana Hoosiers are down to sixth in the Big East. They did win in week four against the Akron Zips. But it went into overtime, and when looking at the overall season so far, it is difficult to place them higher than sixth in this week’s power rankings. Next week they will be facing Maryland, and if they win, their position could change.

7: Michigan State

The Michigan State Spartans are struggling this season. Letting go of their head coach makes this a lot more difficult for them. They just lost 31-9 against Maryland, sitting at a 2-2 record. They face Iowa next weekend, who is also coming off of a rough loss. That game could impact next week’s rankings, but the Spartans have a lot to prove.

Big Ten Power Rankings West:

1: Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers are jumping back up to first in the Big West power rankings. Wisconsin defeated Purdue, a fellow Big Ten team, and with the Iowa loss, the Badgers are back up. As long as they keep winning, Wisconsin has a chance to keep this position. The Badgers have a bye next weekend, which is early but gives them extra rest to power out the rest of their season.

2: Iowa

Based on how they started the season, the Iowa Hawkeyes will drop this week, but only to second. They faced a complete blowout by the Penn State Nittany Lions in their White Out. The offense had just four first-down plays and only had 76 total yards in the night. They will need to improve next week, or they may fall in the power rankings.

3: Illinois

Illinois had a close game against Florida Atlantic than they should have, but still did get the win. Third in the Big West Power Rankings may seem high, but the bottom five have been all over the place this season. Next week, Illinois will face Purdue, which will have big implications in next week’s standings.

4: Northwestern

The Northwestern Wildcats pulled off a big win against Minnesota in overtime in week four. Northwestern was written off before the season even began but now sits at a 2-2 record. They will not be the favorites against Penn State next weekend, but as long as they put up a fight, this team could still show some potential.

5: Minnesota

Minnesota lost in week four against Northwestern, a game that they were expected to win. The Golden Gophers now fall to a 2-2 record and fifth in this week’s Big West power rankings. They would have fallen more, but they did defeat Nebraska in their first game, which was an important win in their division.

6: Nebraska

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are sitting in sixth place in the Big West this week. It is not looking great for Nebraska, as next week, they will face the Michigan Wolverines. Nebraska has been improving each week, winning their last two games. They will need to put up a fight and try to keep their offense on the field as long as they can.

7: Purdue

The Purdue Boilermakers are falling to seventh place in this week’s Big West power rankings. They faced a loss against Wisconsin over the weekend, which forced them to fall to a 1-3 record. After having the highest record in the West in 2022, things are not looking great for Purdue. Next week, they will need to clean things up against Illinois.

Big Ten Power Rankings Overall:

1: Michigan Wolverines (4-0)

Next Opponent: Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-2)

2: Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0)

Next Opponent: Northwestern Wildcats (2-2)

3: Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0)

Next Opponent: BYE

4: Maryland Terrapins (4-0)

Next Opponent: Indiana Hoosiers (2-2)

5: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-1)

Next Opponent: Wagner Seahawks (2-2)

6: Wisconsin Badgers (3-1)

Next Opponent: BYE

7: Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1)

Next Opponent: Michigan State Spartans (2-2)

8: Illinois Fighting Illini (2-2)

Next Opponent: Purdue Boilermakers (1-3)

9: Northwestern Wildcats (2-2)

Next Opponent: Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0)

10: Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-2)

Next Opponent: Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (3-1)

11: Indiana Hoosiers (2-2)

Next Opponent: Maryland Terrapins (4-0)

12: Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-2)

Next Opponent: Michigan Wolverines (4-0)

13: Michigan State Spartans (2-2)

Next Opponent: Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1)

14: Purdue Boilermakers (1-3)

Next Opponent: Illinois Fighting Illini (2-2)