Each week, we take a look back and try to determine what team in the Big Ten is playing the best on the football field. For the longest time, that team has often been Ohio State. However, early this season, we’ve seen some struggles from the team wearing scarlet and gray, with others like Iowa, Penn State, and Michigan rising up to challenge the bully on the block.
So yeah, for the first time in a few seasons, Ohio State’s perch among our power rankings has slipped. It’s the first real sign of adversity in the league we’ve seen since Ryan Day put the whistle around his neck after the 2019 Rose Bowl.
But now that the Buckeyes have had two very impressive weeks, has that changed our power rankings at all? In short, yes, but is it enough to move OSU to the top?
Northwestern Wildcats (2-3, 0-2)
Sep 25, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald on the sideline during the first half against the Ohio Bobcats at Ryan Field. Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
It’s not like Pat Fitzgerald forgot how to coach, it’s just that Northwestern doesn’t have the horses this year. We knew things weren’t looking too good, but getting the doors blown off by Nebraska is a pretty good punch to the gut.
Illinois Fighting Illini (2-4, 1-2)
Sep 4, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema enters the field with his team before the start of Saturday’s game with the UTSA Roadrunners at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
So far this season, the Illini have indeed made their fans I-L-L but we have no choice but to move Bret Bielema’s crew up a spot because of how bad Northwestern looked on Saturday. Still, beating the football team in Charlotte that’s not in the NFL by only ten points is nothing to say that this team is an improving one.
Up Next: Bye
Indiana Hoosiers (2-3, 0-2)
Indiana coach Tom Allen talks to Indiana players before running onto the field against Michigan State at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
It is now clear that Indiana is not the team we thought it was at the beginning of the season. OK, that was probably pretty clear a couple of weeks ago, but this team looks to be regressing rather than the more optimistic alternative. After taking some pride in the football team last season, fans in Bloomington are now looking ahead to basketball season. And with the state of that program these days, that’s no silver lining either.
Up Next: Bye
Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-3, 1-2)
(Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
The reason for the ranking
The Week “0” loss to Illinois seems like a distant memory with the improvement we’re seeing from the ‘Huskers. I mean, who saw this whitewash against Northwestern coming? Still, we’ve got to see wins continue to pile up before buying what the “Children of the Corn” are selling.
Up Next: vs. Michigan
Wisconsin Badgers (1-3, 0-2)
Oct 2, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) walks from the field after being injured during the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Camp Randall Stadium. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
A case could probably be made for dropping the Badgers even further. The defense is still formidable, but man oh man is the offense a hot mess and making people really angry in “Mad-town.” Dropping three of the first four games isn’t doing anything to quiet the criticism.
Up Next: at Illinois
Purdue Boilermakers (3-2, 1-1)
Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
Now that Purdue has started to hit some more sincere competition, we’re starting to see some offensive struggles. They were front and center for the second straight week, this time against Minnesota. It doesn’t get any easier from here.
Up Next: Bye
Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2, 1-1)
Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck motions during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
Minnesota has been widely inconsistent, but it got a quality win on the road vs. Purdue this weekend in some significant rain. But hey, that’s how rowers like it. We’ve seen enough to think that this team will row the boat straight to a bowl but not really anywhere near Lucas Oil Stadium.
Up Next: Bye
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-2, 0-2)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano walks on the field during pregame warmups before an NCAA Division I football game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
Things were looking great in Piscataway until the last couple of weeks. The Scarlet Knights actually looked pretty good against Michigan, but against Ohio State, it was clear the program was still light-years away in the talent department. Still, there’s no shame in losing to an OSU team that seems to be getting things right.
Up Next: vs. Michigan State
Maryland Terrapins (4-1, 1-1)
Sep 17, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Dontay Demus jr. (7) catches a pass while defended by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Joriell Washington (10) in the second half. Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
Welp. That was ugly. We struggled with where to move Maryland, but the reality is that it still only has one loss on the season. Yeah, Iowa administered a super-wedgie to the Terps on Friday night, but the Hawkeyes have looked awfully impressive so far this year.
Up Next: at Ohio State
Michigan State Spartans (5-0, 2-0)
Michigan State’s new head football coach Mel Tucker is greeted by Sparty on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at the Capital Region International Airport in Lansing. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
Listen, I know the Spartans are undefeated at 5-0, but we are still waiting for a statement win. It’s a good start to the season, but I’m not sold that this team is on par with some of the tops in the league just yet. We’ll know more when Sparty meets up with Michigan on October 30.
Up Next: at Rutgers
Michigan Wolverines (5-0, 2-0)
Oct 2, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh walks on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
Give credit to Michigan for winning everything put in front of it so far in 2021. The team looks like a physical and interested bunch so far this year and that’s a drastic improvement over the last season. The way things are unfolding this year though, all of the Wolverines’ wins are looking a bit inflated. We’ll see what happens down the line.
Up Next: at Nebraska
Ohio State Buckeyes (4-1, 2-0)
Oct 2, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Jeremy Ruckert (88) celebrates his touchdown during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
Ohio State still has the most talent of any team on the roster and might just be finding some things out. The way the Buckeyes played against Rutgers, they might still be the best team in the league. The ceiling is definitely higher than any team in the Big Ten, and if the trend continues, OSU might be on top again in 2021.
Up Next: vs. Maryland
Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0, 2-0)
Oct 2, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Indiana 24-0. Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
We can officially chalk up last year to the uncertainty of a pandemic. Penn State has looked awfully impressive this year and it all starts with the improved play of quarterback Sean Clifford. The defense has also played well, shutting out Indiana this past weekend en route to a 24-0 win. A big one at Iowa is up next. Get the popcorn.
Up Next: at Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes (5-0, 2-0)
Iowa running back Tyler Goodson, right, embraces teammate Iowa wide receiver Tyrone Tracy, Jr. (3) during an NCAA non-conference football game against Colorado State, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Credit: USA TODAY Sports
The reason for the ranking
It’s a little concerning that Iowa keeps feeding off of turnovers, but if that’s something the defense continues to make happen, is it really by accident? The offense is more than adequate and nobody coaches more from what he has than Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes have been playing the best. An Iowa vs. Ohio State matchup in Indy would be a lot of fun. But first, we’ll see what happens vs. Penn State this coming weekend.
Up Next: vs. Penn State
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