Week 5 Big Ten Power Rankings

Big Ten Power Rankings East:

1: Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines are once again first in the Big Ten Power Rankings for the Big East. They have yet to lose, and for now, there is no reason to make them drop. They have limited their opponents to seven points for two weeks in a row now, as well. Until they are tested against Ohio State and Penn State, it seems as though they will remain in first.

2: Ohio State

Ohio State had a bye week, which means there is not much to say. Penn State’s slow start in week five keeps them below the Buckeyes.

3: Penn State

The Penn State Nittany Lions’ offense struggled this weekend against Northwestern. The final score of the game does not reflect the poor play from the Nittany Lions’ offense. This keeps them in third for the Big East power rankings this week. Next weekend they have a bye week and will need to use it to get healthy and regroup.

4: Maryland

The Maryland Terrapins are still undefeated and truly looking competitive in the Big Ten. They have put up over 30 points in each game so far this season, keeping them in fourth in the Big East rankings. While they cannot be talked about with the top three, they do face Ohio State next weekend, which means it is time to see just how strong the Terrapins are.

5: Rutgers

After a tough loss against Michigan in Week four, the Scarlet Knights bounced back in week five against the Wagner Seahawks. Rutgers completely dominated this game and did well rotating between the pass and run game. This was a big boost for them, but having a loss this season does keep them in fifth. Their remaining schedule is officially only Big Ten opponents, which will be a trust test for this team.

6: Michigan State

Despite the adversities this season, the Michigan State Spartans are in sixth in the Big East. They did lose to Iowa in week five but kept the fight going. It will be a tough battle for them this year, especially with coaching changes, but their game against the Hawkeyes does demonstrate that they will continue to fight this year.

7: Indiana

The Indiana Hoosiers faced a tough loss in week five against Maryland. They are 2-3, but it is looking like the rest of the season is going to be a tough road for them. They do still have a chance to move up in the Big East rankings, but next week, they have their bye week, and then they will face Michigan.

Big Ten Power Rankings West:

1: Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers are still on top of the Big West following week five. They are coming off of a bye week, but for now, there is no reason for them to drop in rankings.

2: Iowa

The Iowa Hawkeyes needed a win in week five following their loss against Penn State in week four. Even with quarterback Cade McNamara going down from a rough injury, the Hawkeyes fought until the end. Winning against a Big Ten opponent this week was crucial, keeping them in second this week.

3: Minnesota

The Minnesota Gophers jump back up to third in the Big West this week. They are currently 3-2 but needed the win over the weekend to stay competitive in the West. They showed that they could bounce back from a tough loss, and though it was a close game, they still pulled through until the end.

4: Purdue

The Purdue Boilermakers had a big win over the weekend, putting up 44 points. They are 2-3, but their win against Big Ten opponent Illinois pushes them to fourth this week. Their next game will be against Iowa, which will be a true test for the Boilermakers. If Purdue wants to continue to compete in the West, a win will be crucial, but it will be a battle.

5: Illinois

The Illinois Fighting Illini are in fifth this week, but they did lose their week five matchup against Purdue. Illinois have only won two games this season, but one aspect about them that keeps them from falling to the very bottom in the Big West is the fight that they put up each week. Purdue scored 21 points in the third quarter over the weekend, but Illinois did not just give up in the fourth. They still put some points on the board. The true test for where they stand will be next weekend when they face Nebraska. It could determine if Illinois should drop to the bottom of the Big West.

6: Northwestern

The Northwestern Wildcats are 2-3 following their loss against Penn State. The final score does not represent how the game went, and Northwestern held the lead at the beginning of the game. Going into halftime tied against a top-three Big Ten team is an accomplishment. They have the chance to bounce back from this loss next weekend against Howard, a nonconference opponent.

7: Nebraska

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are placed seventh in this week’s Big Ten power rankings for the West. They are now 0-2 against conference opponents, which is not a good look for this team. They did put up seven points against Michigan, but it was after the Wolverines were already up by 45 points. Next week is a must-win game for Nebraska as they face Illinois.

Big Ten Power Rankings Overall:

1: Michigan Wolverines (4-0)

Next Opponent: Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2)

2: Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0)

Next Opponent: Maryland Terrapins (5-0)

3: Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0)

Next Opponent: BYE WEEK

4: Maryland Terrapins (5-0)

Next Opponent: Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0)

5: Wisconsin Badgers (3-1)

Next Opponent: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-1)

6: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-1)

Next Opponent: Wisconsin Badgers (3-1)

7: Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1)

Next Opponent: Purdue Boilermakers (2-3)

8: Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2)

Next Opponent: Michigan Wolverines (5-0)

9:  Michigan State Spartans (2-3)

Next Opponent: BYE WEEK

10: Indiana Hoosiers (2-3)

Next Opponent: BYE WEEK

11: Purdue Boilermakers (2-3)

Next Opponent: Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1)

12: Illinois Fighting Illini (2-3)

Next Opponent: Nebraska Cornhuskers

13: Northwestern Wildcats (2-3)

Next Opponent: Howard Bison (2-2)

14: Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-3)

Next Opponent: Illinois Fighting Illini (2-3)