Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 2

1) Ohio State Buckeyes

This was the Buckeyes 19th-straight season-opening victory, and they got it in brilliant fashion: by racking up 11 total touchdowns en route to a 77-31 win against the Pac-12’s Oregon State Beavers. The Buckeyes were devastating on offense, but they did give up 31 points to the Beavers which should cause at least a little bit of concern for them.

2) Wisconsin Badgers

This could be the year that the Badgers finally win through and become a playoff team. Now beating the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers is not why I think that, but the dominant fashion they did it makes me think it could be possible. As always the Badgers are loaded on defense and this time around the offense looks dangerous also.

3) Penn State Nittany Lions

The Nittany Lions were lucky to escape App State, but as we all know App State is never an easy out in September. The reason I like this Lions team is quarterback Trace McSorley, who is just a winner. No matter the score, as long as McSorley is on the field the Lions have a shot to win.

4) Michigan State Spartans

I know the Spartans won, but I really thought that the Spartans had the makings of a Big Ten contender this year. I am not so sure anymore. The talent I think this team has is why I leave them this high.

5) Northwestern Wildcats

The Wildcats have a stud Quarterback and a stud running back and I look for them to be a possible major player in the Big Ten race this season.

6) Iowa Hawkeyes

Could the Hawkeyes give the Badgers some competition this season? A blowout win over Northern Illinois does not mean that will be the case, but Iowa looked strong on Saturday.

7) Maryland Terrapins

The Terps got an emotional win over the Texas Longhorns on Saturday. The question now is was it just an emotional win or are the Terps really that good?

8) Michigan Wolverines

This may seem like a harsh ranking after a 7-point road loss at Notre Dame, but in all reality, the game was NOT as close as the score.

9) Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue lost a tough one to Northwestern at home last Thursday night, but they are a team that will get better as the season goes on.

10) Nebraska Cornhuskers

This is an unfair ranking, I know since mother nature did not allow them to play.

11) Indiana Hoosiers

The Hoosiers beat Florida International on the road and they looked good on offense, but I think there are still major questions on defense.

12) Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota blew out New Mexico State and they should.

13) Rutgers Knight Scarlett

Coach Chris Ash won his season-opener for the first time in his three seasons and did so thanks to the production of running backs Raheem Blackshear and Jonathan Hillman. The Knights could be a sleeper team this season, and by sleeper I mean they could win 3 or 4 Big Ten games.

14) Illinois Fighting Illini

The Illini should occupy this spot in the rankings all year.