Big Ten Football Power Rankings 11/4/24

18. Purdue Boilermakers

The Boilermakers had a shot at a win against Northwestern but let it get away.

17. Maryland Terrapins

Maryland gets an extra week to prepare for Oregon, it won’t matter.

16. Northwestern Wildcats

Northwestern found just enough offense on Saturday to escape West Lafayette with a win, holding Purdue to 47 rushing yards on 23 attempts – which played an integral part in their victory. While this may have been less-than-impressive performance from both teams, winning Big Ten games in November is all that really matters.

15. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Rutgers had an off week. This weekend, Greg Schiano will welcome former pupil PJ Fleck back to Piscataway as Rutgers looks foraa win after four straight losses.

14. Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State was thought capable of challenging Indiana with the game in East Lansing. They started strong but quickly lost steam before finishing with a dismal -36 (!) rushing yards—an unacceptable number when facing Indiana in East Lansing. Michigan State has now lost five out of its past six contests.

13. USC Trojans

To put it mildly, USC has had an exceptionally dispiriting year. Following yet another one-score loss and falling to 4-5 on the year—eliminating any hope of finishing with a winning record in Big Ten play—head coach Lincoln Riley must make adjustments in the offseason to turn things around.

12. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska can reap the benefits of a bye week. After starting 5-1, Nebraska has lost three straight games against Indiana and close games to Ohio State and UCLA, each by one possession. Nebraska now needs one win six to gain bowl eligibility, with final stretch games against USC, Wisconsin, and Iowa ahead.

11. UCLA Bruins

UCLA continues to play pesky football in the Big Ten. The Bruins upset Nebraska in Lincoln on Saturday, notching a second straight road victory and their third win. A pick-six by linebacker Kain Medrano on the first play of the second half was the turning point in the game and proved to be the difference. The Bruins’ schedule has been a monster this season, but this team has improved greatly.

10. Wisconsin Badgers

Before recently, Wisconsin appeared to be under control under coach Luke Fickell. Unfortunately, things still need to be worked on; Wisconsin couldn’t do anything against Iowa on Saturday night and should benefit from a bye week after dropping consecutive games.

9. Michigan Wolverines

Michigan fell apart in the second quarter, being outscored 21-3 and trailing 28-10 by halftime against Oregon on Saturday. Michigan’s secondary was no match for Oregon receiver Treashon Holden, who made six catches for 149 yards. Furthermore, running the football has been Michigan’s strength throughout this season—passing the ball has been an issue that problem is something Sherrone Moore will face once his team travels to Bloomington to face an undefeated Indiana squad this weekend.

8. Washington Huskies

Jedd Fisch deserves more recognition for the job he’s done in Seattle this season. Though far from perfect, considering they had to replace 21 of 22 starters from last season’s squad and bring in an entirely new coaching staff, as well as play in an unfamiliar conference with an extremely difficult schedule, they remain just one win away from bowl eligibility after their impressive win against USC. Doing so won’t come easily with Penn State, UCLA, and Oregon still on their schedules.

7. Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois has since faltered after an impressive 6-1 start, losing consecutive games against Oregon and Minnesota to fall in the power rankings this week. While still an outstanding football team with plenty of talent and coaching, they appear tired. Quarterback Luke Altmyer, receiver Pat Bryant, and their Fighting Illini teammates will now get one week to rest up before closing out their season against Michigan State, Rutgers, and Northwestern; three winnable opponents.

6. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Fleck has his team in full motion now. Minnesota has won four consecutive games under his direction and scored their second upset victory by defeating No. 24 Illinois away on the road. Once again Minnesota proved formidable defensively by forcing two Illinois fumbles – turning one into a field goal and forcing another one on Illinois’ final drive – as Minnesota looks much different than when they started 2-3.

5. Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa may have three losses this season, but they’ve still been playing some fantastic football. Kaleb Johnson had another outstanding outing last week against Wisconsin rushing for 135 yards and three touchdowns against them in a rivalry win. Now Iowa must travel out west for UCLA game this Friday on short week – how will Kirk Ferentz handle such accommodations this time around?

4. Penn State Nittany Lions

Once again, James Franklin fails against one of the top-five teams in the country. Penn State has suffered a significant setback against Ohio State, yet Saturday’s defeat wasn’t devastating to its College Football Playoff hopes; all it needs to do now is beat Washington next weekend and secure another win against Minnesota on November 23 at Huntington Bank Stadium.

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

On Saturday, Ohio State was off to an uncertain start at Beaver Stadium, falling behind Penn State 10-0 early. Once they adjusted, however, Ohio State completely controlled both sides of the game. Ryan Day emphasized running the ball for 179 yards on 38 carries and held Penn State to 270 total yards of offense. Ohio State looks like they will face a showdown in a couple of weeks with the Indiana Hoosiers with a spot in the Big Ten Championship on the line.

2. Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana found itself at odds for the first time all season against Michigan State on Saturday afternoon. Initially trailing 10-0 early, Indiana rallied to score 47 straight points and claim an impressive road win to bring home the Old Brass Spittoon trophy. Be prepared to reconsider everything you think you know about IU football—this team is currently playing like one of the nation’s premier teams!

1. Oregon Ducks

Oregon was in control against one of the Big Ten’s established powers on Saturday in Ann Arbor and put up an impressive showing against strong competition, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Washington—the remaining opponents that Oregon must still face before heading off to Indianapolis to vie for a championship title. I know Michigan is not what they were last season, but they were probably the last obstacle for Oregon before a Big Ten Championship game.