3 days ago4 min read

Top 5 Start to Pull Away in Week 9 Big Ten Power Rankings

The top five teams in the Big Ten Conference are starting to pull away from the rest of the rest of the teams following Week 8. Newly No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0) took down Purdue (1-6, 0-4) 35-0, while both No. 3 Penn State (6-0, 3-0) and No. 4 Ohio State (5-1, 2-1) sat idle. No. 13 Indiana (7-0, 4-0) proved they are a contender while No. 20 Illinois (6-1, 3-1) won their third top-25 game of the year.

The two storylines out of Week 8 are the disappointing seasons of both Michigan (4-3, 2-2) and USC (3-4, 1-4). Michigan went from a possible College Football Playoff team to start the season to wondering if they be bowl eligible eight weeks in. USC lost another close game—this time to a struggling Maryland (4-3, 1-3) 29-28. USC now has fans questioning if head coach Lincoln Riley is the right man to lead the program.

The B1G has five teams in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll following Week 8. Oregon took over the number 1 spot after Texas (6-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) lost to Georgia (6-1, 4-1) 30-15. The last time Oregon held the top spot in the AP rankings was in 2012. Like the previous week, the B1G holds three of the top 5 spots.

Here are the post-Week 8 power rankings as voted on by College Football Dawgs' Big Ten writers.

1. No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0)

35-0 win over Purdue

Previous ranking: 1

Oregon held the top spot this week after beating the Boilermakers 35-0. The game was never in doubt and the Ducks showed why they are the best team in the B1G. Dan Lanning has his team playing their best football this year making the early season struggle a distant memory. One negative thing that came out of the game was Oregon gave up more than 200 yards on the ground, something Lanning will need to address moving forward.

Upcoming game: No. 20 Illinois (6-1, 3-1)

2. No. 3 Penn State (6-0, 3-0)

Bye

Previous ranking: 2

Penn State sat idle this week but still maintains the second spot. Penn State's defense has been one of the best in the country ranking ninth in points allowed at 14.5 points per game and seventh in yards allowed (262.7 yards per game). Penn State squeaked by a bad USC team two weeks ago to remain perfect and now play Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1) riding a 3-game winning streak. Penn State's biggest test comes on Nov. 2 when they play Ohio State. That will be the game that shows how good this year's PSU team is.

Upcoming game: at Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1)

3. No. 4 Ohio State (5-1, 2-1 B1G)

Bye

Previous ranking: 3

Ohio State sat idle this past week giving the Buckeyes time to work on several things after losing to Oregon in Week 7. Ohio State still has all their goals in front of them and if they can take care of business, they should get the rematch against Oregon in the B1G championship game.

Upcoming game: Nebraska (5-2, 3-1)

4. No. 13 Indiana (7-0, 4-0)

56-7 win over Nebraska (5-2, 2-2)

Previous ranking: 4

Heading into Week 8 the criticism on Indiana was that they haven’t played anyone yet. The question getting asked around the country was just how good are the Hoosiers. Indiana answered the question this past week by dismantling Nebraska 56-7. The win did come at a cost with starting QB Kurtis Rourke getting hurt and will miss this week's game against Washington (4-2, 2-2). The Hoosiers are off to their best start in decades and are now considered a B1G contender this season.

Upcoming Game: Washington (4-3, 2-2)

5. No. 20 Illinois (6-1, 3-1)

21-7 Win over Michigan

Previous ranking: 6

Illinois took down the Wolverines this past weekend 21-7, giving Illinois their third top-25 win this season. Illinois didn’t play their best offensive game, only passing for 80 yards, and had 267 total yards on the day. The Illinois defense was the story by forcing three takeaways while holding the Wolverines to 7 points. Twice the Wolverines were in the red zone and came away with zero points. Illinois now goes on the road for their biggest test of the season this week when they play No. 1 Oregon.

Upcoming Game: at No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0)

B1G Power Rankings: Nos. 6-18

6. Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1)

23-3 win over Northwestern

Previous ranking: 10

Upcoming game: No. 3 Penn State (6-0, 3-0)

7. Iowa (4-3, 2-2)

32-20 loss to Michigan State (4-3, 2-1)

Previous ranking: 8

Upcoming game: Northwestern (3-4, 1-3)

8. Minnesota (4-3, 2-2)

Bye

Previous ranking: 12

Upcoming game: Maryland (4-3, 1-3)

9. Michigan (4-3, 2-2)

21-7 loss to No. 20 Illinois (6-1, 3-1)

Previous ranking: 7

Upcoming game: Michigan State (4-3, 2-2)

10. Michigan State (4-3, 2-1)

32-20 win over Iowa (4-3, 2-2)

Previous ranking: 14

Upcoming game: at Michigan (4-3, 2-2)

11. Nebraska (5-3, 2-2)

56-7 loss to No. 13 Indiana (7-0, 4-0)

Previous ranking: 5

Upcoming game: at No. 4 Ohio State (5-1, 2-1)

12. Maryland (4-3, 1-3)

29-28 win over USC (3-4, 1-4)

Previous ranking: 16

Upcoming game: At Minnesota (4-3, 2-2)

13. USC (3-4, 1-4)

29-28 loss to Maryland (4-3, 1-3)

Previous ranking: 9

Upcoming game: Rutgers (4-3, 1-3)

14. Washington (4-3, 2-2)

Bye

Previous ranking: 11

Upcoming game: at No. 13 Indiana (7-0, 4-0)

15. Rutgers (4-3, 1-3)

35-32 loss to UCLA (2-5, 1-4)

Previous ranking: 13

Upcoming game: at USC (3-4, 1-4)

16. Northwestern (3-4, 1-3)

23-3 loss to Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1)

Previous ranking: 15

Upcoming game: at Iowa (4-3, 2-2)

17. UCLA (2-5, 1-4)

35-32 win over Rutgers (4-3, 1-3)

Previous ranking: 17

Upcoming game: Bye

18. Purdue (1-6, 0-4)

35-0 loss to No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0)

Previous ranking: 18