Where do the teams stand entering Week 9 of the season?
Our own Noel Thompson gives us his Big Ten Power Rankings.
1. Ohio State (7-0, 4-0)
Last Week’s Result: Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 0
Last Week’s Ranking: #1
Buckeye QB Julian Sayin put himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation after throwing 393 yards and four touchdowns against the Badgers.
2. Indiana (7-0, 4-0)
Last Week’s Result: Indiana 38, Michigan State 13
Last Week’s Ranking: #2
The Hoosiers continue to roll putting up 464 total yards against Michigan State, QB Fernando Mendoza had 332 yards and four touchdowns.
3. Oregon(6-1, 3-1)
Last Week’s Result: Oregon 56, Rutgers 10
Last Week’s Ranking: #3
The Ducks put up 42 points in the first half against a Rutgers team that has now lost four straight.
4. USC (5-2, 3-1)
Last Week’s Result: USC 24, Notre Dame 34
Last Week’s Ranking: #4
The Trojans led 24-21 in the third quarter but the Irish scored 13 unanswered points to send USC with a loss heading into the bye.
5. Michigan (5-2, 3-1)
Last Week’s Result: Michigan 24, Washington 7
Last Week’s Ranking: #7
The Wolverines forced three turnovers, including picking off passes on consecutive possessions to pull away from Washington.
6. Iowa (5-2, 3-1)
Last Week’s Result: Iowa 25, Penn State 24
Last Week’s Ranking: #9
Iowa QB Mark Gronowski rushed for a career-high 130 yards and two touchdowns as Iowa has won two straight Big Ten Games.
7. Minnesota (5-2, 3-1)
Last Week’s Result: Minnesota 24, Nebraska 6
Last Week’s Ranking: #10
The Gophers had more sacks than the Huskers had points as the Gophers beat Nebraska for the sixth straight time. P.J. Fleck is now 7-1 against Nebraska.
8. Illinois (5-2, 2-2)
Last Week’s Result: Idle
Last Week’s Ranking: #8
Illinois was idle but will now prepare for Washington as they travel out west to take on the Huskies.
9. Nebraska (5-2, 2-2)
Last Week’s Result: Nebraska 6, Minnesota 24
Last Week’s Ranking: #6
The Huskers were out-gained 186 to 36 on the ground and had trouble protecting Dylan Raiola The Cornhuskers fell short in their bid to win back-to-back road games in consecutive weeks for the first time in 2006.
10. Washington (5-2, 2-2)
Last Week’s Result: Washington 7, Michigan 24
Last Week’s Ranking: #5
After being tied at halftime, Three turnovers in the second half was the difference against Michigan. Washington was held scoreless in the last two quarters while Michigan scored 17 straight.
11. UCLA (3-4, 3-1)
Last Week’s Result: UCLA 20, Maryland 17
Last Week’s Ranking: #11
Just like that, the Bruins have won three straight thanks to a game winning 23-yard field goal by Mateen Bhaghani. They now will head to play a red-hot Indiana.
12. Northwestern (5-2, 3-1)
Last Week’s Result: Northwestern 19, Purdue 0
Last Week’s Ranking: #12
The Wildcats ran the ball 50 times for 232 yards as they shutout Purdue for their fourth straight win.
13. Rutgers (3-4, 0-4)
Last Week’s Result: Rutgers 10, Oregon 56
Last Week’s Ranking: #13
The Scarlet Knights were held to 202 total yards against a feisty Ducks defense. The Rutgers defense allowed five touchdowns in their first six possessions.
14. Maryland (4-3, 1-3)
Last Week’s Result: Maryland 17, UCLA 20
Last Week’s Ranking: #14
Another week where Maryland struggles in the second half to score and hold a lead. The Terrapins were outscored 13-7 in the fourth quarter to lose their third game in a row by one possession.
15. Penn State (3-4, 0-4)
Last Week’s Result: Penn State 24, Iowa 25
Last Week’s Ranking: #15
The loss against Iowa was Penn State’s fourth consecutive, the schedule doesn’t get easier as they play Ohio State and Indiana the next two weeks.
16. Michigan State (3-4, 0-4)
Last Week’s Result: Michigan State 13, Indiana 38
Last Week’s Ranking: #16
The Spartans have now lost their fourth straight game by double digits. They will host in-state rival Michigan.
17. Purdue (2-5, 0-4)
Last Week’s Result: Purdue 0, Northwestern 19
Last Week’s Ranking: #17
With a loss to Purdue, the Boilermakers have lost their last five and 13th straight Big Ten game.
18. Wisconsin (2-5, 0-4)
Last Week’s Result: Wisconsin 0, Ohio State 34
Last Week’s Ranking: #18
With their lost against Ohio State, Wisconsin has been shut out in back-to-back games for the first time since 1977. The odds of it being three weeks in a row seem likely as they will travel to Oregon this week.