Who’s moved up and down after two weeks of action?
Another week has gone by of the college football season, and the Big Ten has continued to surprise us, with some big-time risers like Illinois — who beat no. 19 Kansas, alongside some concerning performances from Michigan and Oregon. Let’s take a look at where each Big Ten team stands in the conference after an exciting first week of play.
1. No. 3 Ohio State
Week 1 Ranking: 1
Result: Defeated Western Michigan 56-0
Next Game: Bye Week
Ohio State looked even more dominant than in Week 1, controlling the game against the Broncos on both sides of the ball for all 60 minutes. It was reassuring to see the quarterback Will Howard and the Buckeyes get rolling quick after their slow start against Akron the week prior. No notes for OSU.
2. No. 11 USC
Week 1 Ranking: 3
Result: Defeated Utah State 48-0
Next Game: Bye Week
After a major victory in Las Vegas versus LSU in Week 1, USC showed no signs of slowing down against the Aggies as they moved to 2-0 with ease. Miller Moss continued to prove his worth as the starting QB, and the run game, led by Mississippi State transfer Woody Marks, looked unstoppable. In a week with concerns conference-wide, the Trojans looked solid.
3. No. 8 Penn State
Week 1 Ranking: 2
Result: Defeated Bowling Green 34-27
Next Game: Bye Week
Penn State came falling down from their big-time win in Morgantown versus West Virginia with a lackluster performance against Bowling Green in which they trailed as late as midway through the third quarter. The defensive effort will need to be a primary focus during their off-week, as they gave up 375 total yards to the Falcons; similarly, there doesn’t seem to be a true offensive threat for this team outside of running back Nick Singleton, who averaged 9.2 yards per carry. A win is a win, though, even if it came versus a MAC team (I mean, what ranked team loses against the MAC?).
4. No. 9 Oregon
Week 1 Ranking: 5
Result: Defeated Boise State 37-34
Next Game: at Oregon State
Last week, we could’ve called Oregon’s shaky 10-point win against Idaho a fluke; this week, yet another down-to-the-wire home game against an unranked opponent should be leaving Ducks fans seriously worried. If not for two special teams touchdowns — a kick and punt return, respectively — U of O would have lost this game. Boise State is a respectable opponent, but for a top 10 team to be this close to losing (again) is seriously worrying.
5. No. 23 Nebraska
Week 1 Ranking: 7
Result: Defeated Colorado 28-10
Next Game: vs. Northern Iowa
Are the Cornhuskers back? Freshman phenom Dylan Raiola has Nebraska looking like a serious threat for the first time in a long time, and their performance against CU did not disappoint. A methodical offensive approach combined with locked down defense practically ended this game by halftime, with the Huskers up four touchdowns already. After securing the win, they even earned their first AP Poll ranking since 2019.
6. No. 17 Michigan
Week 1 Ranking: 4
Result: Lost to no. 3 Texas 31-12
Next Game: vs. Arkansas State
The Wolverines had a fall from grace this past Saturday, losing their first regular season game since October 2021. Adding insult to injury, it came in the form of a beatdown in front of their home crowd against what proved to be a far better Texas team. The quarterback situation remains the blaring issue with the current squad, as it seems like neither Davis Warren nor Alex Orji can effectively pass the ball. Michigan is by no means out of the playoff race, but things need to change quick if they want to get back into that conversation.
7. Illinois
Week 1 Ranking: 11
Result: Defeated no. 19 Kansas 23-17
Next Game: vs. Central Michigan
Illinois is now on the verge of a Top 25 nod following a huge upset over the Jayhawks. Very few expected Illinois to come out with a win, but their gritty defense gave star QB Jaylon Daniels all sorts of problems (18-for-32, 3 interceptions), and three field goals from David Olano put them over the top. This might be the year to watch out for the Illini.
8. Iowa
Week 1 Ranking: 6
Result: Lost to Iowa State 20-19
Next Game: vs. Troy
Just when it seemed like this Iowa offense had finally discovered how to be competent, they place themselves back into a hole following a heartbreaker against the in-state rival Cyclones. Running back Kaleb Johnson was tearing up ISU all first half, accounting for both Hawkeyes touchdowns, but Iowa simply couldn’t finish, squandering a 19-7 lead and losing on a last-second field goal which pushes them out of the Top 25.
9. Rutgers
Week 1 Ranking: 9
Result: Defeated Akron 49-17
Next Game: at Virginia Tech
The last place one would expect to see a Heisman candidate is in New Brunswick, but senior RB Kyle Monangai is sneakily entering the ranks as one of the top players in the nation already. He was responsible for nearly half the team’s yards, racking up 211 total yards and 3 touchdowns. The Scarlet Knights have looked impressive on both sides of the ball up to this point, but will have to try to ride the Monangai wave to topple VT next week.
10. Washington
Week 1 Ranking: 8
Result: Defeated Eastern Michigan 30-9
Next Game: vs. Washington State
Washington has done nothing technically wrong thus far into the season, yet leaves a lot to be desired. Despite playing inferior opponents in Weber State and Eastern Michigan, the Huskies have yet to truly dominate. The lack of firepower will present itself as they enter conference play, but a stingy defense which has yet to allow a touchdown could be a difference-maker.
11. Indiana
Week 1 Ranking: 14
Result: Defeated Western Illinois 77-3
Next Game: at UCLA
I know it was only against Western Illinois, but 77 points?! IU’s offense was mesmerizing during their Friday night victory, scoring a touchdown on 10 of their 13 possessions and tallying 701 yards of offense. The next test for the Hoosiers is to see if it can translate against Power 4 competition; they’ll get their opportunity this weekend when they travel to California to take on the Bruins.
12. Michigan State
Week 1 Ranking: 16
Result: Defeated Maryland 27-24
Next Game: vs. Prairie View
It wasn’t easy, but MSU became the first team in the Big Ten to earn a conference victory this season, slotting them at the top of the conference standings. Though this will probably be the only time they stay anywhere close to the top, it’s worth noting Sparty’s impressive comeback to win last-second. Quarterback Aidan Chiles made a lot of mistakes, but his 363 passing yards, three touchdowns and game-winning drive leave a lot to be excited about.
13. Wisconsin
Week 1 Ranking: 12
Result: Defeated South Dakota 27-13
Next Game: at no. 4 Alabama
It’s been two weeks in a row now that Wisconsin has let worse opponents hang around for far too long. Even though they’re 2-0, the Badgers have been underwhelming thus far. Their one-two backfield punch of Chez Mellusi and Cade Yacamelli is exciting, but not nearly enough if they hope to compete down in Tuscaloosa this weekend.
14. Purdue
Week 1 Ranking: 13
Result: Bye Week
Next Game: vs. no. 18 Notre Dame
There isn’t much to say about the Boilermakers considering they didn’t play this past weekend, but there is plenty to look ahead to, including a ranked matchup this weekend against a Notre Dame team reeling from a major upset against NIU. Could Purdue force a second?
15. Maryland
Week 1 Ranking: 10
Result: Lost to Michigan State 27-24
Next Game: at Virginia
On the less fortunate side of that thrilling last-second field goal was Maryland, who nearly closed the game out but ended the day with an interception, missed field goal and punt on their last three offensive trips. The Terps head to face their next-door neighbor this Saturday as they look to rebound.
16. Northwestern
Week 1 Ranking: 17
Result: Lost to Duke 26-20
Next Game: vs. Eastern Illinois
It might seem counter-intuitive that Northwestern is moving up the power rankings following a loss, but their nail-biting, double-overtime defeat versus Duke proved their ability to hang with bigger opponents. NU was one QB sneak away from tying things up, but couldn’t finish the game right. Jack Lausch will be taking over the reigns for their tuneup game against EIU.
17. Minnesota
Week 1 Ranking: 18
Result: Defeated Rhode Island 48-0
Next Game: vs. Nevada
Minnesota followed up their tough loss to UNC with a swift drubbing of the Rams. Max Brosmer threw his first two touchdowns of his career for the Gophers and Darius Taylor emerged as a backfield threat, racking up 64 yards and a score. For Minnesota to truly bounce back, though, they’ll have to beat Nevada, one of the better Group of 5 squads.
18. UCLA
Week 1 Ranking: 15
Result: Bye Week
Next Game: vs. Indiana
UCLA falls into the last spot solely by way of not playing. There’s not much to be said, but the Bruins three-point victory against Hawaii left little to be impressed with so far. A win versus Indiana could change that.