Big Ten Power Rankings updated ahead of Week 7 of college football

On3 imageby:Jonathan Wagner•10/15/21•

Jonathan Wagner

Week 6 in college football saw many exciting games in the Big Ten. Iowa narrowly defeated Penn State in a matchup between two top four teams. Ohio State dominated Maryland and Wisconsin shut out Illinois. Michigan State had no issues with Rutgers and Michigan avoided an upset bid by Nebraska. Entering Week 7, the latest Big Ten power rankings have been released using ESPN’s Football Power Index tool.

Big Ten power rankings entering Week 7, via ESPN FPI

1. Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes are playing well after a slow start to the season. Ohio State is currently 5-1 and is ranked third overall in ESPN’s FPI. ESPN ranks Ohio State as the best team in the Big Ten entering Week 7, and also gives the Buckeyes a 38.1 percent chance to make the College Football Playoff.

2. Michigan Wolverines: Michigan is currently 6-0 and finishes just behind Ohio State as the second highest ranked team in the Big Ten and fifth overall. ESPN gives Michigan a 40.6 percent change to make the CFP, the highest in the Big Ten entering Week 7.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions: Penn State entered last week as a top four teams in official polls but have fallen after losing to Iowa. Now, ESPN lists the Nittany Lions as the third best team in the Big Ten with a mere 4.6 percent chance at the CFP.

4. Iowa Hawkeyes: Despite beating Penn State last week, the Hawkeyes come in at fourth in ESPN’s Big Ten power rankings entering Week 7. Iowa does have a 24.1 percent chance at the CFP, along with an 89.8 percent chance at winning its division in the Big Ten.

5. Michigan State Spartans: Michigan State is 6-0 on the year and comes in at fifth in the Big Ten. The Spartans also come in at 14th nationally, just behind Penn State (12th) and Iowa (13th). ESPN gives Michigan State an 8.4 percent chance at making a run to the CFP.

6. Nebraska Cornhuskers: Nebraska is 3-4 but have suffered close losses to good teams. The Cornhuskers have lost by a combined 13 points to Oklahoma, Michigan, and Michigan State in recent weeks.

7. Wisconsin Badgers: The Badgers are 2-3, but the three losses have come to Penn State, Notre Dame, and Michigan. This allows Wisconsin to come in at seventh in ESPN’s Big Ten power rankings entering Week 7.

8. Indiana Hoosiers: Like Wisconsin, Indiana is 2-3 with each loss coming to quality opponents. The Hoosiers have lost to Iowa, Cincinnati, and Penn State on the year. Indiana faces Michigan State, Ohio State, and Michigan in three of the next four weeks.

9. Purdue Boilermakers: Purdue is 3-2 and is currently in third in the Big Ten West division with a 1-1 conference record. The Boilermakers take on Iowa at home in Week 7.

10. Minnesota Golden Gophers: Minnesota is currently tied with Purdue but in the second spot in the Big Ten West due to a 3-2 record overall and a 1-1 conference record entering Week 7. Next up is a home game vs. Nebraska.

11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Rutgers started the year 3-0 but have since dropped three in a row to Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State. The Scarlet Knights’ 0-3 record places them at the bottom of the Big Ten East entering Week 7.

12. Maryland Terrapins: Like Rutgers, Maryland started the season off strong before suffering losses in recent weeks. The Terrapins started 4-0 before losing by wide margins to Iowa and Ohio State in the last two weeks.

13. Northwestern Wildcats: The Wildcats are currently 2-3 and is 0-2 in Big Ten games to start the year. Northwestern was blown out by Nebraska the last time it played, and next up is a road trip to take on Rutgers.

14. Illinois Fighting Illini: Illinois beat Nebraska in Week 0 before suffering four consecutive losses after that. The Fighting Illini bounced back with a win over Charlotte before being shut out by Wisconsin last week.