Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 5: Don't sleep on Indiana anymore

The Iowa Hawkeyes got a break this past week after a big win over Minnesota in Week 3. This was a much-needed break for the Hawkeyes as they prepared for a massive matchup against the Big Ten favorite Ohio State Buckeyes.

The rest of the Big Ten had a lot of matchups this week, as there were some close calls and some blowouts. The Big Ten is shaking up to look a lot different than it last season, with some surprising teams making their rise.

So after a lively slate of Week 5 games, here are the Big Ten power rankings.

18. UCLA Bruins

Previous ranking: 18
Record: 1-3

The Bruins lost their second Big Ten game this past weekend to former Pac-12 foe Oregon. The Bruins are just not able to get anything going on offense so far this season, adn their only win was against Hawaii, which the Bruins only beat by three points. UCLA could finish at the bottom of the Big Ten in their first season in the conference.

17. Purdue Boilermakers

Previous ranking: 16
Record: 1-3

Right now, UCLA is the only reason Purdue is not at the bottom of the rankings. The Boilermakers looked somewhat promising, especially in the run game, after their first game of the season. Now they are 1-3 after losing to Nebraska this past week, where they were only able to score 10 points. The Boilermakers adn the Bruins might battle for the worst team in the Big Ten this season.

16. Northwestern Wildcats

Previous ranking: 17
Record: 2-2

Northwestern had a bye in Week 5 and is set to take on No. 23 Indiana in Week 6.

15. Maryland Terrapins

Previous ranking: 15
Record: 3-2

Maryland suffered their second loss of the season to an Indiana team that is looking a little dangerous in the Big Ten right now. The Terrapins have shown some promise this season, but with two losses in the Big Ten to Michigan State and Indiana, the Maryland is still near the bottom of these power rankings.

14. Wisconsin Badgers

Previous ranking: 14
Record: 2-2

Two weeks after losing their starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke on the first drive against Alabama, Wisconsin had another ranked matchup against USC. The Badgers did a good job keeping it close for the majority of the game, but the game got away from them in the second half, and they were never able to recover. With a backup quarterback in, Wisconsin didn't look better than expected.

13. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Previous ranking: 13
Record: 2-3

Minnesota had a chance to walk away with the win against Michigan, but the offense stalling gave the win to the Wolverines. The Golden Gophers have now lost three games this season, two in the Big Ten, and a team that could have made a run is now out of the running for the conference and for the College Football Playoff.

12. Washington Huskies

Previous ranking: 3-2
Record: 11

Washington made it to the National Championship last season, but with a new team, a new head coach, and a new conference, the Huskies just don't look the same. They lost their first Big Ten football game as they ran into Rutgers, who is another Big Ten team looking sneaky this season.

11. USC Trojans

Previous ranking: 12
Record: 3-1

After losing to Michigan in their first Big Ten game, USC had a close call against Wisconsin, and the Trojans are looking like they are struggling more than expected in the Big Ten. The Big Ten is not like the Pac-12, and Lincoln Riley needs to figure out what is going on with the offense fast in order to get fully back on track.

10. Michigan State Spartans

Previous ranking: 8
Record: 3-2

Michigan State had to face the Ohio State Buckeyes early in the season and early in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes are looking almost unstoppable so far this season, and while the Spartans were able to keep in close in the first half, Ohio State ran away with it in the second half. There were some good things to see from the Spartans. However, that shouldn't be overlooked.

9. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Previous ranking: 10
Record: 4-1

Nebraska struggled a bit against Purdue, which isn't a good sign as Purdue is one of the worst teams in the conference. The Cornhuskers were able to get back on track after losing to Illinois at home, but there are still some things that don't quite look right with this Nebraska team that could keep them out of the playoff.

8. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Previous ranking: 9
Record: 4-0

Rutgers is undefeated on the season and is looking like a sneaky team that may not be able to win the conference or make the playoff, but they might be able to create chaos. A wing over Washington this weekend was a solid statement for the Scarlet Knights and should set them up for a great matchup against Nebraska this weekend.

7. Iowa Hawkeyes

Previous ranking: 7
Record: 3-1

Iowa has a bye in Week 5 and is set to take on No. 3 Ohio State in Week 6.

6. Illinois Fighting Illini

Previous ranking: 4
Record: 4-1

Illinois suffered its first loss of the season to Penn State, but it was a battle all the way to the end. Defense was the name of the game on Saturday and the Fighting Illini showed great promise against a really tough Penn State team. This doesn't mean they are completely out of it, and they could still cause chaos this season.

5. Michigan Wolverines

Previous ranking: 5
Record: 4-1

Michigan pulled off the win in a tight one against Minnesota, who was just 2-2 on the season. The Wolverines looked a bit better in the passing game this week, but the rushing game is the highlight of this offense, and if teams find a way to stop it, Michigan could be in a lot of trouble.

4. Indiana Hoosiers

Previous ranking: 6
Record: 5-0

Indiana is the only 5-0 team in the Big Ten so far this season after not having their bye week just yet. They should be able to go 6-0 for the first time since 1967 as they take on Northwestern this weekend, a team struggling to find wins so far this season.

3. Oregon Ducks

Previous ranking: 3
Record: 4-0

The Oregon Ducks got their first Big Ten in program history with a win over former Pac-12 foe UCLA. The Ducks didn't have too much trouble taking care of the Bruins, but the road will get tougher from here on out. Oregon will take on Michigan State this week, a dangerous team that the Ducks shouldn't overlook.

2. Penn State Nittany Lions

Previous ranking: 2
Record: 4-0

Penn State beat a good Illinois team, but the game was a struggle on the offense. Quarterback Drew Allar has made his presence known this season, taking a big leap forward in his passing game. The Nittany Lions will get a bit of an easier opponent with UCLA on the schedule this week, a team giving up a lot of points to opposing offenses.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Previous ranking: 1
Record: 4-0

Ohio State remains perfect on the season after a win over Michigan State in Week 5. The Buckeyes offense is humming right now the running game being the shining star. They will go up against a very tough defense with Iowa coming to town and the Hawkeyes having one of the best defenses in the Big Ten and in college football.