ESPN ranks Big Ten Football teams from first to last ahead of Week 5

As usual, the Big Ten is one of the strongest conferences in the country this season. With conference play kicking off, things are only about to become more intense within the Big Ten. Ahead of college football’s Week 5, ESPN released its updated Big Ten rankings.

The rankings are based on ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), which “is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is.”

Illinois was the only Big Ten team ranked in the AP Top 25 that suffered a loss in Week 4. Nonetheless, there’s plenty to cover. Let’s dive into ESPN’s latest rankings.

1. Oregon Ducks

Oregon has steamrolled its competition thus far this season, and this past Saturday was no exception. The Ducks strolled to a 41-7 win over in-state rival Oregon State in Week 4. The Ducks have the second-highest scoring margin in the country this season.

In the win over Oregon State, Ducks quarterback Dante Moore completed 21-of-his-31 pass attempts for 305 yards and four touchdowns, while throwing no interceptions. Wide receivers Gary Bryant Jr. and Dakorien Moore combined for 128 receiving yards.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

Despite being No. 1 in the AP Top 25, the Buckeyes are No. 2 in ESPN’s Big Ten rankings. Ohio State enjoyed a bye this week after dominating Ohio 37-9 in Week 3.

In the win, star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith reeled in nine catches for a team-high 153 yards and a touchdown. Carnell Tate didn’t trail far behind, racking up five catches for 101 yards and a score.

3. Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana made a statement this past weekend with its 63-10 blowout triumph over Illinois. In the jaw-dropping victory, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed 21-of-his-23 pass attempts for 267 yards and five touchdowns. He didn’t throw a single interception.

Indiana finished the game with 579 yards of total offense. The Hoosiers’ defense was just as impressive, holding the Fighting Illini to nine total first downs throughout the game. Indiana was disciplined in the outing, only committing two penalties for a loss of 10 yards.

4. USC Trojans

USC is 4-0 this season, and showing no signs of slowing down. Most recently, the Trojans secured a convincing 45-31 win over Michigan State. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava stole the show, completing 20-of-26 pass attempts for 234 yards and three touchdowns, without throwing an interception.

Maiava’s arm wasn’t his only threat. He also notched two touchdowns in the ground game. He didn’t outpace USC running back Waymond Jordan, however, who logged a game-high 157 rushing on 18 carries.

5. Penn State Nittany Lions

ESPN’s FPI system isn’t impressed by Penn State. In fairness, the Nittany Lions haven’t faced a Power Four opponent yet this season. Thus, it’s difficult to know what Penn State is capable of. To their credit, the Nittany Lions have been dominant against their inferior competition.

In Week 3, Penn State handed Villanova a 52-6 shellacking. In the win, Penn State running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton combined for 170 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

6. Michigan Wolverines

After suffering a loss against Oklahoma in Week 2, Michigan has won back-to-back outings. The Wolverines’ improved play is largely due to freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood.

The former five-star prospect has amassed 175 rushing yards and two touchdowns over the past two games, while continuing to post respectable passing numbers. With head coach Sherrone Moore returning from his two-game suspension, Michigan is hitting its stride at the perfect time.

7. Nebraska Cornhuskers

In Week 4, Nebraska suffered a 30-27 loss to Michigan. While the Cornhuskers had trouble slowing down Underwood, they also showed promising flashes. Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola completed 30-of-his-41 pass attempts for 308 yards and three touchdowns, while only throwing one interception.

Wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. was Raiola’s go-to target in the game. Barney recorded six catches for a team-high 120 yards and two TDs. If Nebraska’s defense can improve, the Cornhuskers could make their way up ESPN’s rankings throughout the season.

8. Washington Huskies

Washington is undefeated this season but, like Penn State, doesn’t have any marquee wins. In the Huskies’ last outing, they handily defeated Washington State 59-24.

Washington QB Demond Williams did it all, notching 298 yards and four touchdowns through the air, along with 88 yards and a score in the ground game. On the other side of the ball, Washington’s defense squeezed three turnovers out of the Cougars.

9. Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa kicked off conference play with a bang on Saturday, downing Rutgers 38-28. Iowa’s offense looked much improved in the contest, totaling 346 yards.

Quarterback Mark Gronowski completed 12-of-his 18 pass attempts for 186 yards. However, where Gronowski found the end zone was on the ground. The transfer standout tallied three rushing TDs in the win.

10. Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois fell hard in ESPN’s rankings this week after suffering a 63-10 loss to Indiana. The Fighting Illini didn’t have any answers for the Hoosiers, neither on offense nor defense.

Illinois finished the game with a mere 161 yards of offense, while giving up 579 yards on defense. The Fighting Illini struggled worst in the run game. They logged just two rushing yards on 20 carries.

11. Maryland
12. Rutgers
13. Wisconsin
14. Minnesota
15. Michigan State
16. Purdue
17. Northwestern
18. UCLA