Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 5 of college football
On3 has updated their Big Ten Power Rankings following some thrilling action during Week 5 of the college football season.
Teams like the Michigan Wolverines, Penn State Nittany Lions and Maryland Terrapins advanced to 5-0 on the season, while the Ohio State Buckeyes enjoyed a well-earned bye week. As Big Ten play ramps up, teams are beginning to separate themselves from the pack within the conference.
There’s a bevy of fascinating showdowns on the horizon, as the best of the best will face off soon. Until then, here’s where On3 has each squad at the moment, following their performances from last weekend.
1) Michigan Wolverines (5-0)
The Wolverines took their show on the road for the first time in 2023, and it was more of the same in Lincoln. Michigan dominated Nebraska, defeating the Cornhuskers by a score of 45-7.
Another road matchup is on the docket for Michigan, as the Wolverines will travel to take on Minnesota in Week 6. The Golden Gophers have struggled at times in 2023, but they’ll get up to face Michigan on Saturday, so it won’t be an easy one.
2) Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0)
If you caught the first half of Penn State at Northwestern, you were likely worried as a fan of the Nittany Lions. The score was tied 10-10 at halftime, but James Franklin must’ve inspired his team in the locker room.
In the second half, Penn State outscored the Wildcats by a score of 31-3, advancing to 5-0 on the season. A bye week and a matchup with Massachusetts follows now for Penn State, so they’ll have a slight reprieve over the next couple weeks.
3) Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0)
After narrowly escaping Notre Dame, Ohio State enjoyed Week 5 from the comfort of their living room on Saturday. However, they’ll get back on the wagon in Week 6, with a matchup against the undefeated Maryland Terrapins on the docket.
While the Buckeyes are favored by almost three-touchdowns at the moment, don’t count out Maryland just yet. Their offense is potent, and could have the Buckeyes reeling on Saturday if they’re not careful.
4) Wisconsin Badgers (3-1)
The Badgers made like the Buckeyes over the weekend, enjoying their bye week at 3-1 on the season. Now, it’s a race to the finish line, as Wisconsin will hope to be the top team in the Big Ten West when it’s all said and done.
Before any of those thoughts can creep in, the Badgers will welcome Rutgers to town in Week 6. The Scarlet Knights have proven to be no pushovers in 2023, and Wisconsin will be hoping they’re not rusty when kickoff comes.
5) Maryland Terrapins (5-0)
The Terrapins are 5-0 and feeling good, as they took care of business against Indiana on Saturday. Maryland race out to a 37-3 lead, and ended the afternoon with a 44-17 victory to add to their resume.
While they’ve been phenomenal thus far in 2023, Maryland will have their toughest test in Ohio State this weekend. If they can win against the Buckeyes, then it’ll truly be time to take them for real.
6) Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1)
After a terrible loss to Penn State, Iowa got back on the horse and defeated Michigan State over the weekend by ten. It was a nice return to form for the Hawkeyes, who moved to 4-1 on the season.
While there’s uncertainty on offense moving forward, Iowa will be hoping to continue their winning ways in Week 6. They’ll welcome Purdue to town, a team that’s had their own struggles in 2023, as well.
7) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-1)
After their undefeated streak came to an end at the hands of Michigan, Rutgers had some demons to exercise against Wagner. They did exactly that, roaring to a 52-3 victory over the weekend.
The Scarlet Knights have designs on making it to a bowl game, and the schedule is shaking out beautifully for them. Perhaps they could add a statement victory to their resume this weekend, as they take their talents to Wisconsin in Week 6.
8) Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2) (+4)
It was a nice bounce-back weekend for Minnesota on Saturday, as the Golden Gophers defeated Louisiana by 11. PJ Fleck’s squad is now sitting a 3-2 on the season, and hoping for a monstrous upset in Week 6.
If Minnesota can defeat Michigan on Saturday, all the whispers regarding Fleck’s future will dissipate. It won’t be easy, but time will tell if the Golden Gophers are up to the task.
9) Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-3) (-1)
The Cornhuskers were embarrassed by Michigan at home over the weekend, falling by 38 points to the Wolverines. Some believed Nebraska would keep it close, but that was far from the case over the weekend.
There’s no rest for the weary though, as Nebraska will travel to take on Illinois in Week 6. It’s a showdown between two embattled teams, who both need victories bad. Only one will be able to gain some momentum though.
10) Indiana Hoosiers (2-3)
The Hoosiers fell to 2-3 on the season by virtue of a pretty terrible loss to Maryland over the weekend. The Terrapins raced out to a 37-3 lead against Indiana, and some garbage time touchdowns made the final score look better than it was.
While Indiana will enjoy a bye wee this weekend, it gets no easier for the Hoosiers afterwards. They’ll travel to Michigan on Oct. 14, and there won’t be a soul giving them a chance in that game.
11) Purdue Boilermakers (2-3) (+3)
The Boilermakers finally had the performance many have been waiting for, blowing Illinois out of the water by 25 points over the weekend. 2-3 looks a lot better than 1-4, and that’s what Purdue accomplished over the weekend.
It won’t be any easier in Week 6 though, as Purdue will take on Iowa on the road. A victory would be huge for the new-look Boilermakers though. We’ll see if they can come through with an upset.
12) Illinois Fighting Illini (2-3) (-3)
Purdue’s win was Illinois’ demoralizing loss, as the Fighting Illini fell to 2-3 in a. hard-fought battle over the weekend. While Illinois led at multiple points over the weekend, they couldn’t get the victory against the Boilermakers.
Now, the Fighting Illini will return home to face Nebraska in Week 6. Both teams desperately need a victory, but Illinois will hope to use home-field advantage and notch a win.
13) Michigan State Spartans (2-3)
A bleak 2023 season continues to get worse for Michigan State. The Spartans fell to Iowa over the weekend by ten points, and watched their record move to 2-3 on the season.
Thankfully, Michigan State will enjoy a bye week before taking on Rutgers in Week 7. That’ll be a game both teams must have, and one the Spartans look for to get back on track in 2023.
14) Northwestern Wildcats (2-3) (-3)
After their huge comeback win, Northwestern hoped to follow up with a shocking upset of Penn State. Things looked good throughout two quarters, but the wheels fell off in the second half.
Nevertheless, it’s nothing to be ashamed of for the Wildcats, as Penn State is a College Football Playoff contender. Northwestern will hope to get a victory over Howard in Week 6, and move their record on the season to a nice 3-3.
As you can see, the Big Ten continues to be one of the most interesting conferences in the country, with a myriad of interesting teams throughout. As the season goes on, we’ll be keeping an eye on how things change, but this is where they stand at the moment.
On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this article.