Big Ten power rankings after Week 2: Many top-tier teams underperform

It was a big week in college football with some high-powered matchups in the Big Ten, but also some surprise struggles from what were expected to be top-tier teams within the conference.

Of course, Michigan football losing badly to Texas is the biggest headline out of the week, but for the second straight week, Oregon struggled to put away a lesser team from the state of Idaho. Penn State, likewise, struggled to put away a MAC team in Bowling Green (it could have been worse — Notre Dame actually lost to a MAC team in Northern Illinois).

Meanwhile, Ohio State continued to assert its dominance, USC rolled Utah State, MSU surprised Maryland; Rutgers, Minnesota, and Washington cruised to easy victories, while Illinois upset ranked Kansas and Nebraska dominated Colorado.

With all of these results in mind, here are our latest Big Ten power rankings.

18. UCLA Bruins

Record: 1-0

Hi/Lo: 17/18

Change: –

Last game: Win vs. Hawaii, 16-13

Biggest win: at Hawaii, 16-13

UCLA was idle this week and thus didn’t move from last week’s spot. The Bruins host a new-look Indiana next.

17. Purdue Boilermakers

Record: 1-0

Hi/Lo: 16/18

Change: –

Last game: Win vs. Indiana State, 49-0

Biggest win: vs. Indiana State, 49-0

Purdue was idle in Week 2 but hosts a suddenly vulnerable Notre Dame team in Week 3.

16. Northwestern Wildcats

Record: 1-1

Hi/Lo: 12/16

Change: -4

Last game: Loss vs. Duke, 20-26 (2 OT)

Biggest win: vs. Miami (Ohio), 13-6

The offense continues to be a work in progress and the defense allowed a lot in terms of passing to the Blue Devils in this double-overtime thriller. This was a winnable game for the Wildcats, and David Braun has them moving in the right direction, but it still could be a difficult year.

Record: 1-1

Hi/Lo: 14/15

Change: –

Last game: Win vs. Rhode Island, 48-0

Biggest win: vs. Rhode Island, 48-0

After the late trip up against North Carolina, Minnesota returned to form against an FCS school. Max Brosmer was efficient and electric but the run game has to pick things up in a big way. With another nonconference game coming up against Nevada, we’ll see if the Gophers can build upon this one.

14. Indiana Hoosiers

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 13/16

Change: -1

Last game: Win vs. Western Illinois, 77-3

Biggest win: vs. Western Illinois, 77-3

Granted it was against an FCS school, but Indiana broke a school record by scoring 77 points in Week 2. With 378 yards passing and 325 yards rushing, Curt Cignetti’s team didn’t punt once in the biggest win for the Hoosiers in a long time, at least in terms of point differential.

The only reason why Indiana moves down is because of the other teams surrounding it in the power rankings. Up next is a conference game against UCLA.

13. Maryland Terrapins

Record: 1-1

Hi/Lo: 9/13

Change: -4

Last game: Loss vs. MSU, 24-27

Biggest win: vs. UConn, 50-7

A week after looking dominant in all three phases of the game, Maryland was upset by a Michigan State team that looked moribund in Week 1 against FAU. The defense did manage three takeaways and QB Billy Edwards played OK, but the pass defense as a whole was abysmal. Maryland has Virginia up next.

12. MSU Spartans

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 12/17

Change: +5

Last game: Win vs. Maryland, 27-24

Biggest win: vs. Maryland, 27-24

After having line play that looked atrocious on both sides of the ball, the Spartans came alive in a road game at Maryland where it often loses. Jonathan Smith did a masterful job in preparing his team for Big Ten play after it had appeared that there could be very few wins in conference. Aidan Chiles threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns but also tossed three interceptions. There’s some talent here and if the lines coalesce, there’s a chance that MSU could end up being dangerous after all.

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 11/13

Change: +1

Last game: Win vs. Kansas, 23-17

Biggest win: vs. Kansas, 23-17

The defense led the way in this one with four forced turnovers while the offense only lost one fumble — a big improvement in big ranked games like this one. The Illini made Jalon Daniels look pedestrian and the offense did just enough to capitalize. Don’t look now, but Illinois may be back into 2022 form.

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 10/11

Change: +1

Last game: Win vs. South Dakota, 27-13

Biggest win: vs. Western Michigan, 28-14

The run game looked good and so did the defense against a relatively tough FCS team. It may not have been a very lopsided score and the offense as a whole is still a work in progress. But the Badgers are 2-0 with Alabama coming to Camp Randall next week.

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 9/10

Change: +1

Last game: Win vs. Eastern Michigan, 30-9

Biggest win: vs. Weber State, 35-3

A slight bump up in competition and the same result — a lopsided win. QB Will Rogers was masterful, as was RB Jonah Coleman. The defense also shined against what’s been an improving EMU team that many don’t want to face. With an early season version of The Apple Cup coming up, perhaps Jedd Fisch has his team moving in the right direction.

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 7/8

Change: –

Last game: Win vs. Akron, 49-17

Biggest win: vs. Howard, 44-7

It’s the first time in school history that Rutgers has eclipsed 40 points in the first two games of the season. And the Scarlet Knights beat Akron in similar fashion to that of Ohio State in Week 1 (how often can you say that?). Kyle Monangai continues to be a beast on the ground and Athan Kaliakmanis continues to prove he was a worthwhile addition from the transfer portal. The rush defense needs some work, but this was another good game from a team that isn’t used to stringing together many good games. Rutgers is on bye next week.

7. Iowa Hawkeyes

Record: 1-1

Hi/Lo: 4/7

Change: -3

Last game: Loss vs. Iowa State, 19-20

Biggest win: vs. Illinois State, 40-0

Well, so much for that sudden offensive prowess. This was a game very much in hand but Iowa let its in-state rival score 13 consecutive points to win the CyHawk. The run game looks good but the pass game took a big step back in El Assico, but at least Iowa faces a 0-2 Troy team next week.

Record: 1-1

Hi/Lo: 3/6

Change: -1

Last game: Loss vs. Texas, 12-31

Biggest win: vs. Fresno State, 30-10

It was perhaps a worst-nightmare scenario, as the Texas offense exposed the usually vaunted Michigan defense repeatedly. Meanwhile, the offense continued to look offensive and suddenly the Wolverines look susceptible in just about every area on the team. Gracefully, Arkansas State is next, but the Red Wolves will certainly look to take some pages out of Texas’ playbook.

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 1/6

Change: +1

Last game: Win vs. Boise State, 37-34

Biggest win: vs. Idaho, 24-14

For the second straight week, Oregon underwhelmed against a team from the state of Idaho. Boise State is a step up in competition, but the Ducks still shouldn’t be heading to the locker room at halftime with a deficit. The offense looks OK but the defense needs some major work. The in-state rivalry against Oregon State comes next week.

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 2/4

Change: -2

Last game: Win vs. Bowling Green, 34-27

Biggest win: at West Virginia, 34-12

Perhaps the Nittany Lions read their own headlines from the Week 1 win but this was a huge step back against a mediocre MAC team. Bowling Green was in contention the whole game, having nursed a lead throughout much of it. It was a troubling effort defensively and Drew Allar took a step back. But RB duo Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen showed up to save the day. Penn State is on bye this upcoming weekend.

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 3/7

Change: +4

Last game: Win vs. Colorado, 28-10

Biggest win: vs. Colorado, 28-10

Colorado, the media darling, looked overmatched in every way as Nebraska looked every bit as dominant as it once had in the bygone era. The numbers aren’t eye-popping, but watching the game, it was evident just how dominant the Huskers were in the trenches. This team might be for real.

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 2/8

Change: +1

Last game: Win vs. Utah State, 48-0

Biggest win: vs. LSU, 27-20

The Trojans might be for real as the defense shined again in this one. The offense was stellar in both the run and the pass and suddenly the question is: is USC back, for real? It might be. USC has a bye next week before heading to Ann Arbor to face Michigan, when we’ll learn the most about both teams.

Record: 2-0

Hi/Lo: 1/2

Change: –

Last game: Win vs. Western Michigan, 56-0

Biggest win: vs. Western Michigan, 56-0

Remember that slow start against Akron? Yeah, us neither. Ohio State dominated Western Michigan from start to finish and had the look of a national championship contender. Will Howard was much more efficient, the run game was dominant, and the defense was smothering. It’s difficult to see anyone stopping the Buckeyes at this juncture and we’re just two games into the season.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Big Ten power rankings after Week 2: Many top-tier teams underperform