Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 10 of college football
On3 has updated their Big Ten Power Rankings following some enthralling action during Week 9 of the college football season.
The top team in the College Football Playoff rankings took their show to Piscataway, New Jersey, as Ohio State faced off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The battle was closer than many expected, but the Buckeyes were able to pull away throughout the second half, and keep their top billing alive ahead of Tuesday’s updated rankings.
Elsewhere, Michigan and Penn State kept up their winning ways, ahead of their showdown in Week 11. With kickoff of many highly-anticipated games on the horizon, including the one between the Wolverines and Nittany Lions, here’s where On3 has each squad at the moment, following their Week 10 performances.
1) Michigan Wolverines (9-0)
The Wolverines continued their onslaught of the Big Ten with another victory in Week 10. Michigan handled Purdue with ease, on their way to a 41-13 win.
Sign-stealing allegations be damned, Michigan isn’t losing a step. However, their toughest test of the season is on the horizon in Week 11, as they’ll travel to Happy Valley to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions.
2) Ohio State Buckeyes (9-0)
Ohio State trailed Rutgers at halftime, as the Scarlet Knights brought the toughness against the Buckeyes. However, a pick-six in the third quarter changed everything, and Ohio State never looked back.
It wasn’t a performance many expected from the top team in the College Football Playoff rankings. Nevertheless, the Buckeyes have a shot at a big win in Week 11, with Michigan State coming to Columbus.
3) Penn State Nittany Lions (8-1)
The Nittany Lions dominated Maryland on the road in Week 10. The Terrapins are reeling, and Penn State ruined their afternoon with a 51-15 victory.
While Penn State wasn’t able to defeat Ohio State earlier this season, a win over Michigan would get their College Football Playoff dreams back on the table. They’ll have their opportunity at the Wolverines in Week 11.
4) Iowa Hawkeyes (7-2) (+1)
The Hawkeyes didn’t score more runs than the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, but a 10-7 score was good enough for a win over Northwestern on Saturday. The Hawkeyes are now 7-2 on the season, even if it hasn’t been pretty.
In Week 11, they’ll welcome Rutgers to Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes have handled the Scarlet Knights in the past, but nothing is coming easy to this Iowa team.
5) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-3) (-1)
The crowd inside SHI Stadium feels like an upset bid was stolen from them in the third quarter against Ohio State, as the Buckeyes escaped with a win. Regardless, Rutgers proved their mettle against the No. 1 team in the nation.
They’ll be looking to get back on track against the aforementioned Hawkeyes in Week 11. The over/under may be low, but the stakes are high for their showdown this weekend.
6) Wisconsin Badgers (5-4)
The Badgers hoped to get back on track with a victory against Indiana on the road in Week 10. Well, the Hoosiers had other plans, as they sent Wisconsin packing with a loss.
Saturday’s game effectively ended their Big Ten title game hopes, but Wisconsin is one win from being bowl-eligible. They could secure their bid with a win over Northwestern in Week 11.
7) Illinois Fighting Illini (4-5) (+3)
In one of the more excited games of the weekend, Illinois shocked Minnesota, upsetting the Golden Gophers on the road. It may have only been a one point difference, but the Fighting Illini enjoyed their fourth win of the season.
A bowl game is now back on the table for Illinois. Their journey continues against Indiana this weekend, and the Fighting Illini are favored as they look to get back to .500.
8) Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-4) (-1)
The Golden Gophers believed last weekend would be where they became bowl eligible. Illinois had other plans, and now Minnesota must shift their focus to Week 11.
A trip to Purdue is on the docket. With the way the Boilermakers have played, it could be the reprieve the Golden Gophers have been looking for, if they can take care of business.
9) Maryland Terrapins (5-4)
The Terrapins have fallen like a rock over the last couple of weeks, as they suffered another loss in Week 10. This time it was to the Penn State Nittany Lions, and the game was never even competitive.
However, Maryland is favored in Week 11, as they’ll take on Nebraska. Both teams are fighting to become bowl eligible, but only one will secure their place on Saturday.
10) Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-4) (-2)
The Cornhuskers had a great chance at victory in Week 10, but they falters on the road against Michigan State. The Spartans were due for a win, and it wasn’t Nebraska’s afternoon.
A bowl game would be huge for the program in Matt Rhule’s first season. It won’t be easy, but they’ll be at home this weekend against Maryland, where they could secure a bid.
11) Indiana Hoosiers (3-6) (+1)
In one of the more shocking results inside the Big Ten, Indiana sent Wisconsin home with a loss in Week 10. The Hoosiers only have three wins on the season, but have looked competitive over the last two weeks.
Can they keep the ball rolling? Indiana faces Illinois in Week 11, another winnable showdown for the Hoosiers as they move forward.
12) Northwestern Wildcats (4-5) (-1)
The Wildcats couldn’t get the job done inside Wrigley Field, as they fell to a last minute field goal against the Hawkeyes. Regardless, Northwestern can take solace in the fact that the game was so competitive, as they look for their fifth win of the season in Week 11.
A trip to Madison to face reeling Wisconsin is on the docket. The Badgers are beatable, and Northwestern will be hoping to get back to .500.
13) Michigan State Spartans (3-6) (+1)
Michigan State secured their long awaited third win of the season on Saturday. Nebraska isn’t exactly a world-beater, but they’ve been better in 2023, and the Spartans got the dub.
However, Week 11 isn’t looking like it’ll be much fun for Michigan State. A trip to Columbus to face Ohio State is on the horizon, where the Spartans will be massive underdogs.
14) Purdue Boilermakers (2-7) (-1)
While Purdue was outspoken throughout the week, it didn’t matter come Saturday. Michigan took care of business and then some against the Boilermakers.
A better matchup for Purdue is on the schedule for Week 11. The Boilermakers will welcome Minnesota to town for a clash of two teams looking to get back on the right track.
As you can see, the Big Ten is shaping up to be one of the more interesting conferences in America as the season rounds itself out. With the College Football Playoff drawing near, they have a number of contenders, and they’ll be hoping to continue making their case in Week 11.
On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this article.