Iowa was one of 16 Big Ten teams in action in week five and finished its second game in a tough start to the schedule.
The Hawkeyes have now played Michigan and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks before heading to Washington in week six, then a bye in week seven. Iowa was a popular pick to upset Ohio State in week five, but the Buckeyes came out strong and never let it get close. With two teams on a bye week, the bottom half of our power rankings shifted slightly, with the top half remaining mostly intact.
No. 18: Rutgers (1-4, 0-2 Big Ten, --)
Week five: 47-15 loss vs. Indiana
Rutgers continues its poor start to the 2026 season with another loss in week five. The Scarlet Knights had little chance of upsetting Indiana, and the Hoosiers easily took care of business on the road. Indiana totaled 593 yards on offense, while allowing only 254 yards on defense. Rutgers tried two different quarterbacks, but it has a massive uphill climb against No. 6 Indiana. They stay in the cellar in this week's power rankings.
Next game: BYE
No. 17: Maryland (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten, -1)
Week five: 42-23 loss at Nebraska
Maryland found some success in the passing game, but costly interceptions by Malik Washington and a complete lack of defensive focus downed the Terrapins this week. The offense put up 395 total yards on Nebraska's defense, but two turnovers and 12 penalties for 115 yards cost them. Maryland stays near the bottom again.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 at Ohio State (Columbus, OH)
No. 16: Michigan State (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten, -1)
Week five: 31-3 loss at Wisconsin
Michigan State continues to play poorly in Pat Fitzgerald's first season after another big loss in week five. The Spartans' passing game was nearly nonexistent against Wisconsin, and the defense was carved up on the ground. Michigan State played a clean game from a penalty standpoint, but that's about all that went right.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 vs. Illinois (East Lansing, MI)
No. 15: Illinois (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten, -1)
Week five: 24-17 loss vs. Purdue
Illinois' only saving grace is that the teams below them in our power rankings also lost, so we couldn't move them even lower. The Fighting Illini had a prime opportunity to pick up their first Big Ten win against a bad Purdue squad, and they completely dropped the ball at home. Purdue snapped a 19-game Big Ten losing streak, putting up 345 total offensive yards in the process. Illinois continues to stumble as Bret Bielema's seat gets hotter.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 at Michigan State (East Lansing, MI)
No. 14: Purdue (2-3, 1-1 Big Ten, +3)
Week five: 24-17 win at Illinois
The streak is finally over! Purdue has been bad for a few years, especially in the Big Ten, but they finally put their losing streak to bed. The Boilermakers had lost 19 straight Big Ten games before heading to Champaign in week five. Purdue won thanks to a solid game from freshman kicker Jacobo Echeverria Lozano and a decent offensive performance. Their winning streak might be short-lived after welcoming Minnesota in week six, but for now, the vibes are high in West Lafayette.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 vs. Minnesota (West Lafayette, IN)
No. 13: Penn State (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten, -1)
Week five: 34-13 loss at Northwestern
Penn State has massively failed to live up to preseason expectations in Matt Campbell's first season, and the Nittany Lions have now lost back-to-back games. Northwestern has been surprising early, but this loss is inexcusable if Penn State wants to get back to the College Football Playoff. They can blame the short week, but that didn't stop Northwestern from taking it to them. When Rocco Becht has to attempt 41 passes, something is wrong, as Northwestern played well on both sides of the ball. The slide continues for Penn State, and it doesn't get easier in week six against USC.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 vs. USC (University Park, PA)
No. 12: Washington (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten, +1)
Week 5: 25-21 loss at USC
Washington lost another close game, but USC is a quality opponent, and they held the high-powered USC offense to 25 points. The Huskies have struggled with offensive inconsistency, but they put up 319 total yards on a very suspect USC defense. They moved up slightly this week, but have another tough test as the Iowa Hawkeyes come to town.
Next game: Friday, October 9 vs. Iowa (Seattle)
No. 11: Michigan (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten, -3)
Week five: 20-14 loss at Minnesota
The Michigan offense continues to disintegrate with many now calling for Kyle Whittingham to pull starting quarterback Bryce Underwood. After his best performance of the season against Iowa, Underwood had a horrible game against Minnesota, finishing with 101 passing yards and two interceptions. The inconsistent Michigan offense continues to be a big problem for the Wolverines as they continue to slide down the rankings. Whittingham has to be wondering why he left Utah.
Next game: BYE
No. 10: Minnesota (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten, --)
Week five: 20-14 win vs. Michigan
Minnesota has played well early, especially after knocking off Michigan at home. It is a classic case of "is Minnesota actually good," or "is Michigan really bad?" The Golden Gophers' defense kept Bryce Underwood and a struggling Michigan offense in check, and did just enough on offense to earn the win. It was a good win, but not overly impressive, and it keeps Minnesota where they are this week.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 at Purdue (West Lafayette, IN)
No. 9: USC (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten, --)
Week five: 25-21 win vs. Washington
The name of the game is to survive and advance in the Big Ten, and USC did that. After getting blown out by Oregon in week four, the Trojans responded with a win against Washington in week five. The Trojan's defense continues to give up yards, but the offense has been elite all year. It wasn't a convincing victory, so the Trojans stay locked in at No. 9 this week.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 at Penn State (University Park, PA)
No. 8: Northwestern (3-1, 1-1 Big Ten, +3)
Week 5: 34-13 win vs. Penn State
A week after pushing reigning National Champion Indiana to the brink, the Northwestern Wildcats absolutely embarrassed Penn State at home. Northwestern has found some magic in their new stadium and is playing extremely well in David Braun's third year, and they could be a dark-horse candidate in the Big Ten this season. Look out for the Wildcats!
Next game: Saturday, October 10 vs. Ball State (Evanston, IL)
No.7: Nebraska (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten, --)
Week five: 48-23 win vs. Maryland
Nebraska has started strong this season, but it hasn't played any good competition through the first five weeks. Starting 5-0 is impressive, but their first real test is this week against Indiana.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 vs. Indiana (Lincoln, NE)
No. 6: UCLA (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten, -1)
Week five: Bye
UCLA was idle in week five after obliterating Maryland in week four. The Bruins slid one spot in our rankings solely because of how well Wisconsin played against Michigan State. UCLA also hasn't faced very tough competition, with its first test coming against No. 13 Oregon this week.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 at Oregon (Eugene, OR)
No. 5: Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten, +1)
Week five: 31-3 win vs. Michigan State
A week after Wisconsin knocked off No. 13 Penn State, they added another win to its resume. Michigan State has not been good this season, but Wisconsin easily handled them at home. The score line allowed Wisconsin to jump one spot in this week's power rankings, and we'll see if they can maintain momentum against UCLA, which is coming of a bye.
Next game: BYE
No. 4: Iowa (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten, --)
Week five: 31-14 loss vs. Ohio State
The Hawkeyes lost to No. 5 Ohio State in week five, and although it was a three-score game, it didn't drop them this week. With how poorly Iowa played on both sides of the ball, we could have easily dropped them, but teams below them didn't warrant jumping them, especially since Ohio State is an elite opponent. Iowa holds tight at No. 4 before a massive road trip to Seattle in week six.
Next game: Friday, October 9 at Washington (Seattle)
No. 3: Oregon (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten, --)
Week five: Bye
Oregon sat idle in week five after a massive road victory over USC in week four with backup quarterback Dylan Raiola under center. That victory kept them where they are, especially after an Iowa loss and UCLA on a bye. Oregon has another tough road test in week six against Nebraska, and it should be a great game to watch on Saturday afternoon.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 vs. UCLA (Eugene, OR)
No. 2: Ohio State (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten, --)
Week five: 31-14 win at Iowa
Jeremiah Smith continues proving why he is an otherworldly talent with another massive game against Iowa in week five. Kinnick Stadium is never an easy place for opponents, but the Buckeyes made it look a lot easier than it is. There is an argument to be made for the Buckeyes to jump to No. 1, but until someone knocks off Indiana, they will stay at No. 2.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 vs. Maryland (Columbus, OH)
No. 1: Indiana (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten, --)
Week five: 47-15 win at Rutgers
A week after a scare against Northwestern, Indiana easily took care of business against Rutgers in New Jersey. Indiana has a tough road test in week six, but until someone beats them, they will remain on top of our power rankings.
Next game: Saturday, October 10 at Nebraska (Lincoln, NE)
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