Big Ten Power Rankings by GH's Noel Thompson

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Noel’s Big Ten Power Rankings

How do the teams stack up heading into Week 3?


1.Michigan (2-0)
Last Week: #1
Quarterback J.J McCarthy has won the job over Cade McNamara, who will now be the starting play caller for the Wolverines moving forward. McCarthy tossed three touchdowns and threw for 229 yards against Hawaii.
Next Up: Connecticut.


2. Ohio State (2-0)
Last Week: #2
Marvin Harrison Jr. stepped up for the Buckeyes, who didn’t have star wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba against Arkansas State. Harrison Jr. had seven catches for 184 yards and three touchdowns.
Next Up: Toledo

3. Minnesota (2-0)
Last Week: #3
Tanner Morgan threw for 287 yards on 14 of 18 attempts and Mo Ibrahim had another game of rushing for over 100 yards. Minnesota's defense gives up their first touchdown of the season as the Gophers roll Western Illinois 62-10
Next Up: Colorado


4. Penn State
Last Week: #5
The Nittany Lions finally found their running game as Nick Singleton rushed for 179 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. For the day, Penn State had over 200 yards on the ground over Ohio.
Next Up: @ Auburn


5. Michigan State (2-0)
Last Week: #6
Wisconsin running back transfer Jalen Berger scored three times as the Spartans blanked Akron 52-0 in East Lansing.
Next Up: @ Washington


6. Purdue (1-1)
Last Week: #6
Iowa transfer Charlie Jones had another great game as he caught the ball nine times for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Purdue shuts out Indiana State 56-0
Next Up: @ Syracuse


7. Maryland (2-0)
Last Week: #8
Taulia Tagovailoa threw for 391 yards and a career-high four touchdowns as Maryland defeated the Charlotte 49ers 56-21. Maryland is 2-0 for the third time in four seasons under head coach Michael Locksley.
Next Up: SMU

8. Rutgers (2-0)
Last Week: #10
The Scarlet Knights went into halftime up 38-7 as Rutgers routed Wagner 66-7. Tight End Johnny Langan threw and caught a touchdown.
Next Up: @ Temple

9. Indiana (2-0)
Last Week: #11
The Hoosiers scored 29 consecutive points as they rebounded from a sluggish start against Idaho.Shaun Shivers ran for 155 yards and a touchdown.
Next Up: Western Kentucky


10. Wisconsin (1-1)
Last Week: #3
Former Badger Nakia Watson scored twice against his old team as Washington State shocked Wisconsin at home. The Badgers were 17-point favorites at Camp Randall against the Cougars.
Next Up: New Mexico State


11. Illinois (2-1)
Last Week: #13
Running back Chase Brown rushed for 146 yards on 20 carries, while the Illini defense only let Virginia convert one out of 16 third down conversions. Illinois goes 2-1 on the season after a 24-3 victory.
Next Up: Bye

12. Northwestern (1-1)
Last Week: #9
Wildcat running back Evan Hull continues to showcase his ability as a pass catcher. Hull had 14 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown, but it was his fumble with 12 seconds left at the goalie that would prove costly. Northwestern loses to Duke at home 31-23.
Next Up: Southern Illinois

13. Iowa (1-1)
Last Week: #12
Iowa lost to rival Iowa State at home for the first time since 2014. Iowa would score a touchdown on their first possession but was shut out the rest of the way. Hawkeye quarterback Spencer Petras finished the day with a QBR of 12.1.
Next Up: Nevada

14. Nebraska (1-2)
Last Week: #14
The Blackshirts give up more than 600 yards as Nebraska falls to Georgia Southern in Lincoln 45-42. The Cornhuskers entered the game as 23-point favorites. Head Coach Scott Frost gets fired the next day.
Next Up: Oklahoma.


Note from Noel: You can switch 3-5 anyway you want at this point in the season. I just think Gophers have been really impressive so far. Things will get cleared it in a few weeks.
 


I know it's fun to kick our rivals when they are down but you have Iowa way too low. Their defense and special teams are enough to keep them in most games.

Tier 1 - Cream of the Crop
1. Michigan
2. Ohio State

Tier 2 - Very good teams that can do some damage
3. Minnesota
4. Penn State
5. Michigan State
6. Purdue
7. Maryland

Tier 3 - Strong in places but not complete
8. Wisconsin
9. Iowa
10. Rutgers

Tier 4
11. Indiana
12. Illinois
13. Northwestern
14. Nebraska
 

I know it's fun to kick our rivals when they are down but you have Iowa way too low. Their defense and special teams are enough to keep them in most games.

Tier 1 - Cream of the Crop
1. Michigan
2. Ohio State

Tier 2 - Very good teams that can do some damage
3. Minnesota
4. Penn State
5. Michigan State
6. Purdue
7. Maryland

Tier 3 - Strong in places but not complete
8. Wisconsin
9. Iowa
10. Rutgers

Tier 4
11. Indiana
12. Illinois
13. Northwestern
14. Nebraska
Do I think Iowa is better than the teams above them on my list? Yeah, probably. But the offense has scored one touchdown in two games and their starting QB has a QBR of 3.4!

As of right now, they belong where they do on my opinion.
 
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Do I think Iowa is better than the teams above them on my list? Yeah, probably. But the offense has scored one touchdown in two games and the their starting QB has a QBR of 3.4!

As of right now, they belong where they do on my opinion.
Yep, power rankings are different than a ranking of best teams generally.
 


Will this finally be the year that the Gophers under PJ Fleck reclaim Floyd?
 

Iowa lost to rival Iowa State at home for the first time since 2014.

Coincidentally, that was also the last year that the Gophers beat Iowa. Right now I'd say those two results are likely to coincide again this year.
 

Will this finally be the year that the Gophers under PJ Fleck reclaim Floyd?
If the trend holds, all we need to do is score more than 7 points, which I am sure we can do.
 

If the trend holds, all we need to do is score more than 7 points, which I am sure we can do.
This deepest and most disciplined Gophers team I have ever seen has a legitimate chance for a Big Ten West title.

The Gophers' rebuilding program has come full circle! I hope Coach Fleck stays here for the long haul.
 



The Gophers have to beat somebody good before they earn that high of a ranking.

But then again, i can easily say the same about The Ohio State!
 

I know it's fun to kick our rivals when they are down but you have Iowa way too low. Their defense and special teams are enough to keep them in most games.

Tier 1 - Cream of the Crop
1. Michigan
2. Ohio State

Tier 2 - Very good teams that can do some damage
3. Minnesota
4. Penn State
5. Michigan State
6. Purdue
7. Maryland

Tier 3 - Strong in places but not complete
8. Wisconsin
9. Iowa
10. Rutgers

Tier 4
11. Indiana
12. Illinois
13. Northwestern
14. Nebraska
I would probably take Illinois vs. Iowa right now. I think they should be a part of Tier 3 for sure.
 




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