Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 5

Ohio State has had this history the past couple of years of going on the road for a conference night game and stubbing their toes. The Buckeyes did it two years ago at Iowa, and last year against Purdue. Some were thinking Nebraska could do the same Saturday.

Well, that was foolish.

Ohio State continues to prove that they’re the class of the Big Ten after its 48-7 beatdown in Lincoln, and the Bucks remain No. 1 in my weekly Big Ten power rankings after Week 5. There was a little movement behind them.

There is a definite top (1-4), middle (5-9) and bottom (10-14) starting to emerge in this league, which makes the shuffling relatively easy right now

Here are my rankings after the games of Sept. 27-28, with last week’s ranking and this week’s opponent included:

1. Ohio State (5-0) *** Last week: 1

Last week: Beat Nebraska 48-7

This week: Michigan State (4-1) at Ohio State, 7:30 p.m. ET (TV: ABC)

The skinny: I’m starting to think that Ohio State just might be the best team — in the country. I see zero weaknesses with this team, and further proof of that came Saturday night in Lincoln. Ohio State rushed for a whopping 368 yards against Nebraska, with the great J.K. Dobbins accounting for 177 of that total. And the defense might be even better. Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez, who’s actually pretty good, passed for only 47 yards against that Buckeyes defense. That’s crazy. And yes, that’s not a typo up there. I said “best in country.’’ No one in Clemson can argue this week.

2. Penn State (4-0) *** Last week: 3

Last week: Beat Maryland 59-0 on Friday night

This week: Purdue (1-3) at Penn State, Noon ET (TV: ESPN)

The skinny: Penn State moves up a notch another notch after crushing a flawed Maryland team 59-0 on that “all eyeballs’’ Friday night stage. I’m starting to believe this Nittany Lions team is pretty special. When you outgain a fellow Big Ten team — any team — 619 yards to 128, that’s absolute and complete domination.

3. Wisconsin (4-0) *** Last week: 2

Last week: Beat Northwestern 24-15

This week: Kent State (2-2) at Wisconsin, Noon ET (TV: ESPNU)

The skinny: Wisconsin is off to a great start this season, but I was really disappointed that they had so much trouble shooing away Northwestern on Saturday. This game shouldn’t have been this close, so I’m dropping them down a notch. That said, I’m still thinking the Badgers will be 7-0 when they head to Ohio State on Oct. 26.

4. Iowa (4-0) *** Last week: 4

Last week: Beat Middle Tennessee 48-3

This week: Iowa at Michigan (3-1), Noon ET (TV: FOX)

The skinny: Iowa just keeps rolling along and Saturday’s blowout win over Middle Tennessee was no different. That 644 yards of offense was impressive, and Nate Stanley continues to make great decisions at quarterback. It’s nice to see that running game — 351 yards on 51 carries — really clicking, especially on the eve of a huge road trip to Michigan next week. That game will tell us a lot more about the Hawkeyes, whose four opponents thus far are just a combined 6-11 on the season.

5. Michigan State (4-1) *** Last week: 5

Last week: Beat Indiana 40-31

This week: Michigan State at Ohio State (5-0), 7:30 p.m. ET (TV: ABC)

The skinny: Michigan State showed a lot offensively against Indiana, and quarterback Brian Lewerke was really good, passing for 300 yards and rushing for another team-leading 78. They let Indiana hang around for far too long, though, and they’ve shown enough kinks in the armor to think next week at Ohio State might get really ugly. I thought about dropping them down a notch this week, but I can wait a week on that.

6. Minnesota (4-0) *** Last week: 6

Last week: Beat Purdue 38-31

This week: Illinois (2-2) at Minnesota, 3:30 p.m. ET, (TV: BTN)

The skinny: The Gophers just keep on winning, even though it’s never pretty. Even Saturday at Purdue, Minnesota built a big lead but then still let the Boilermakers hang around. Sure, they are 4-0, and they’ll probably keep winning, but it’s hard to see them still as a true contender. Kudos to quarterback Tanner Morgan for being nearly perfect on Saturday. His 21-for-22 passing was nearly perfect, and the bst percentage performance ever in the Big Ten. Great job.

7. Michigan (3-1) *** Last week's ranking: 7

Last week: Beat Rutgers 52-0

This week: Iowa (4-0) at Michigan, Noon ET (TV: FOX)

The skinny: Michigan crushed Rutgers on Saturday, but that doesn’t really mean anything. We still think this team is very flawed, and will believe so until proven otherwise. The Wolverines get a huge test at home against Iowa next week, and that will tell us much more. Can Michigan really beat a good team? I’m thinking no until they show me something different.

8. Indiana (3-2) *** Last week: 9

Last week: Lost to Michigan State 40-31

This week: Bye week

The skinny: Indiana had a golden opportunity to steal a win at Michigan State, but let it slip away. It was a tough loss to swallow, but it also showed a lot that Indiana is getting better and better. Having Michael Penix Jr back at quarterback is a huge deal. He completed a school-record 20 consecutive passes on Saturday, the second-longest streak in Big Ten history.

9. Nebraska (3-2) *** Last week: 8

Last week: Lost to Ohio State 48-7

This week: Northwestern (1-3) at Nebraska, 4 p.m. ET (TV: FOX)

The skinny: It’s easy to give Nebraska a pass for getting pounded on by Ohio State, because the Buckeyes have been doing that to everyone. But still, this was crazy ugly. Ohio State ran the ball at will, and that’s been a trend. The Cornhuskers still have a long way to go on defense. And even though we know Adrian Martinez is a solid quarterback, it was very troublesome to see him struggle so badly in a national primetime game. There’s still a lot of work to do with this team.

10. Maryland (2-2) *** Last week: 10

Last week: Lost to Penn State 59-0 on Friday

This week: Maryland at Rutgers (1-3), Noon ET (TV: BTN)

The skinny: Maryland should tumble down the power rankings after that 59-0 debacle, but the Terps are being saved by the fact that this bottom five in the Big Ten is a complete dumpster fire right now. The Terps need to get well this Saturday against Rutgers and start to make some fixes.

11. Purdue (1-3) *** Last week: 11

Last week: Lost to Minnesota 38-31

This week: Purdue at Penn State (4-0), Noon ET (TV: ESPN)

The skinny: You have to give the Boilermakers a ton of credit for hanging in there against Minnesota after losing quarterback Elijah Sindelar and star wideout Rondale Moore on the same play Saturday. Kudos to Jack Plummer for stepping in and playing well. He’s getting better with every game.

RELATED STORY: Jack Plummer has bright future

12. Northwestern (1-3) *** Last week: 12

Last week: Lost to Wisconsin 24-15

This week: Northwestern at Nebraska (3-2), 4 p.m. ET (TV: FOX)

The skinny: The Wildcats really hung tough against Wisconsin, and did a nice job keeping the Badgers offense in check, allowing only 243 total yards. It’s a shame their offense is such a mess, though. It’s going to be a real challenge for this offensive coaching staff to find some answers.

13. Illinois (2-2) *** Last week: 13

Last week: Bye week

This week: Minnesota (4-0) at Illinois, 3:30 p.m. ET (TV: BTN)

The skinny: I’m starting to think that the bottom of the Big Ten is a real mess, so many we might see the Illini emerge out of the bottom of this pack soon. I’ll be curious to see what they do with Minnesota on Saturday after a bye week. The Gophers are undefeated, but they haven’t been all that impressive in winning four straight game. Is there an upset looming?

14. Rutgers (1-3) *** Last week 14

Last week: Lost to Michigan 52-0

This week: Maryland (2-2) at Rutgers, Noon ET (TV: BTN)

The skinny: Michigan is a mess and Rutgers still couldn’t compete at all in a 52-0 loss. Maryland is a mess too, so if Rutgers is going to win a Big Ten game, that best chance might be coming on Saturday. What do you think about our power rankings? Please feel free to comment below and share this story with your friends.

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