Oct. 8—Only four Big Ten teams are still unbeaten. The trio of Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State is not surprising. But Indiana? No one outside of Curt Cignetti’s office thought that was possible. Before the Illini resume Big Ten play this Saturday against Purdue, Sports Editor Matt Daniels tackles his latest Big Ten rankings:
1. Ohio State (5-0)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 1
It’s a good thing ‘College Football 25’ returned. Because if not, what Will Howard and the Buckeyes do is as close as it would get to feeling like a video game. Can’t wait for Saturday night’s showdown at Oregon.
2. Oregon (5-0)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 2
Everyone wants to talk about Dillon Gabriel. Understandable since the Ducks’ quarterback has thrown for 16,314 yards in six seasons. But watch out for running back Jordan James. He’s the real deal.
3. Penn State (5-0)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 3
Drew Allar did his best Kerry Collins’ impression during the Nittany Lions’ home win against UCLA. He doesn’t have to stand out thanks to Penn State’s dominant defense.
4. Indiana (6-0)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 5
The most thankful man in Bloomington? Mike Woodson. What Kurtis Rourke has done is make all IU fans forget — briefly — about the mediocre men’s basketball team.
5. Illinois (4-1)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 7
Luke Altmyer and his teammates benefitted from sitting out the chaotic past weekend on the college football scene. Chaos will ensue, though, if the Illini lose to Purdue this Saturday.
6. Nebraska (5-1)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 10
Dylan Raiola looked like a freshman making his sixth start against Rutgers. But the Huskers’ defense stopped Kyle Monangai enough to get one win away from bowl eligibility.
7. Washington (4-2)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 11
Don’t mess with Will Rogers and the Huskies at home in Seattle. Washington earned its 18th straight win at Husky Stadium and snapped Michigan’s 24-game Big Ten win streak with clutch fourth-quarter play.
8. Michigan (4-2)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 4
Maybe Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL because he knew he wouldn’t have a quarterback in 2024. How Sherrone Moore fixes that position is the answer he has to find during Michigan’s bye week.
9. Rutgers (4-1)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 8
Athan Kaliakmanis and the Scarlet Knights couldn’t withstand the heat in Nebraska to sustain their first loss this season. A winnable home game against Wisconsin looms on Saturday.
10. Iowa (3-2)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 9
Cade McNamara has completed 64 percent of his passes in five starts. Yet the Hawkeyes quarterback has only thrown for more than 100 yards in two of those starts. Yikes.
11. Wisconsin (3-2)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 12
Braedyn Locke and the Badgers blitzed woeful Purdue, beating the Boilermakers for the 18th straight time this past Saturday. A trip to New Jersey to play Rutgers is on tap now.
12. Southern Cal (3-2)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 6
Technically, Miller Moss and his Trojans can still make it into the College Football Playoff. They just can’t lose again. Safe to say, Penn State is even better than Minnesota.
13. Minnesota (3-3)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 16
Turns out, Max Brosmer can throw and run. Even if he’s not the stereotypical dual-threat quarterback, he led the Gophers to a stunning home upset of Southern Cal. Beating UCLA doesn’t seem so daunting now.
14. Michigan State (3-3)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 13
Aidan Chiles and his teammates can’t add to their three-game losing streak this weekend because they don’t play. But Sparty has to get its offense corrected before it hosts Iowa under the lights on Oct. 19.
15. Maryland (3-2)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 14
The good news is Maryland plays one of four Big Ten teams still trying to get their first league win. The bad news is the Terrapins are one of those teams without a Big Ten win still.
16. Northwestern (2-3)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 15
Jack Lausch looked competent at times against Indiana. The problem for the Wildcats’ quarterback, though, is his teammates on defense didn’t. A so-so Maryland team awaits Friday.
17. UCLA (1-4)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 17
It’s difficult to forecast where Justyn Martin and the rest of the Bruins get a Big Ten win in their debut season. Maybe Saturday night against Minnesota in a mostly-empty Rose Bowl?
18. Purdue (1-4)
➜ Previous ranking: No. 18
Hudson Card made Ryan Walters happy when the former Texas quarterback transferred to West Lafayette. Now? The former Illini assistant probably wishes he had Luke Altmyer.
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