There were multiple big score lines and some big upsets in the Big Ten Conference over the weekend.
Unfortunately for Iowa fans, the Hawkeyes were among the teams that suffered upsets, which knocked them out of the AP Top 25. It was a rough week for Iowa, but the Big Ten showed that it is a tough conference from top to bottom. Before Halloween weekend kicks off in college football, we have updated power rankings for week nine.
No. 18: Maryland (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten, --)
Week eight: BYE
Maryland had a bye in week eight, but the program still made headlines. The program fired head coach Mike Locksley after a 2-5 start, and the coaching search has begun. After losing to Rutgers in week seven, the writing was on the wall for Locksley, who finished with a losing record over his eight seasons in charge (38-49). The Terrapins have talent on the roster, but will likely lose players after Locksley's firing. Don't expect Maryland to climb out of the power-rankings cellar for the rest of the season.
Week nine: vs. Illinois (College Park, MD)
No. 17: Rutgers (2-5, 1-3 Big Ten, --)
Week eight: 42-14 loss at Northwestern
Northwestern continues to play well in its new stadium, and Rutgers was outmatched in every way in week eight. To Rutgers' credit, they nearly reached 350 total offensive yards, including a massive 244 on the ground, but the defense couldn't stop Northwestern's balanced attack. Rutgers is back home in New Jersey in week nine for another tough matchup.
Week nine: vs. Michigan (Piscataway, NJ)
No. 16: Michigan State (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten, --)
Week eight: 28-10 loss at UCLA
Michigan State benefited from an early UCLA fumble to take a 7-0 lead into the second quarter, and it was all downhill from there. On their next five possessions, the Spartans punted four times and threw an interception, but were within one score at half. UCLA put it away quickly, scoring two touchdowns on its first two drives of the second half, keeping MSU from its first Big Ten win of the season. Michigan State's offense continues to struggle, and it won't get easier.
Week nine: BYE
No. 15: Penn State (3-4, 0-4 Big Ten, -1)
Week eight: BYE
After a close loss to Michigan in week seven, Penn State had a much-needed bye in week eight. It has not gone well for Matt Campbell after leaving Iowa State, but they have a chance to earn their first Big Ten win against Purdue on Halloween.
Week nine: vs. Purdue (University Park, PA)
No. 14: Purdue (3-4, 2-2 Big Ten, -1)
Week eight: BYE
Washington snapped Purdue's two-game conference winning streak in week seven ahead of a bye week. The Boilermakers put on an impressive offensive display against Minnesota in week six and will look to replicate it on the road against Penn State in week nine.
Week nine: at Penn State (University Park, PA)
No. 13: Oregon (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten, -5)
Week eight: 21-10 loss at Illinois
Oregon won on the stat sheet, but couldn't put points on the board. Kicker Gage Hurych had a rough game, missing three field goal attempts, and Oregon couldn't punch it in when it got into the red zone. Backup quarterback Dylan Raiola also attempted 41 passes, something that shouldn't continue. The program also recently announced that star QB Dante Moore is out for the rest of the season, creating a massive hole in their offense.
Week nine: vs. No. 20 Northwestern (Eugene, OR)
No. 12: Washington (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten, --)
Week eight: BYE
Washington got back on track in week seven against Purdue after Iowa dominated them in week seven. Backup quarterback Elijah Brown continues to play well, and they had an extra week to prepare for a tough road trip to Nebraska.
Week nine: at Nebraska (Lincoln, NE)
No. 11: Michigan (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten -1)
Week eight: 13-6 loss vs. Indiana
It wasn't pretty, but Michigan almost pulled off a massive upset against No. 6 Indiana. The Michigan offense wasn't great in Tommy Carr's debut, and he didn't help. Michigan benched former five-star quarterback prospect Bryce Underwood for Carr, and he didn't live up to the hype. He threw an interception and fumbled on a bad pitch attempt, further highlighting Michigan's offensive struggles. The Wolverines have a soft landing in week nine against Rutgers before a rivalry game against Michigan State.
Week nine: at Rutgers (Piscataway, NJ)
No. 10: Illinois (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten, +4)
Week eight: 21-10 win at Oregon
Even without starting quarterback Katin Houser, Illinois still found a way to win against Oregon. The Fighting Illini put on an impressive display against the Ducks, especially veteran running back Aidan Laughery. Laughery rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown, and the defense only allowed Oregon to cross the goal line once. Illinois has an easier game against Maryland this week, before a gauntlet to end the season.
Week nine: at Maryland (College Park, MD)
No. 9: USC (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten, -2)
Week eight: 24-7 loss at Wisconsin
USC fell flat on the road against Wisconsin as the defense continues to struggle. USC's rushing attack struggled, and quarterback Jayden Maiava was uncharacteristically turnover-prone. Wisconsin's defense put on a clinic, and USC's high-powered offense couldn't respond. The Trojans have to bounce back quickly with a very hot Ohio State team coming to town.
Week nine: vs. No. 2 Ohio State (Los Angeles)
No. 8: Nebraska (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten, +1)
Week eight: BYE
Nebraska needed a bye week after dropping two straight games to Indiana and Oregon. Luckily for the Cornhuskers, they have an easy second-half schedule with games against Washington, Illinois, and Rutgers on deck. Iowa and Ohio State will be challenging, but Nebraska has a path to a solid second half.
Week nine: vs. Washington (Lincoln, NE)
No. 7: Iowa (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten, -3)
Week eight: 13-10 loss at Minnesota
Iowa played one of its worst games in five years, and although it was just one game, the offense has a lot of question marks. Both quarterbacks, Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown, took the field, but neither did well. Iowa's defense did everything it could, but it wasn't enough as the Hawkeyes lost a turnover-filled game in the battle for the Floyd of Rosedale. It doesn't get easier as the No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers come to Kinnick Stadium.
Week nine: vs. No. 25 Wisconsin (Iowa City, IA)
No. 6: Minnesota (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten, +5)
Week eight: 13-10 win vs. Iowa
It wasn't pretty, but Minnesota got the job done against Iowa. The Golden Gophers' defense forced four turnovers, and the offense did just enough. Iowa outgained Minnesota in total offensive yards, but Minnesota didn't beat itself as much. It was a massive win for P.J. Fleck after entering 1-8 against Iowa, and they will look to carry that momentum into a tough week nine game.
Week nine: at No. 4 Indiana (Bloomington, IN)
No. 5: Northwestern (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten, --)
Week eight: 42-14 win vs. Rutgers
Northwestern continues to turn heads this season after knocking off Michigan State at home. Quarterback Aidan Chilles is having a career resurgence after transferring from Michigan State, and the Wildcats' offense continues to outperform expectations. Northwestern led from start to finish against an overmatched Rutgers squad, putting up 502 total offensive yards. Scoring six touchdowns is no small feat, helping the Wildcats jump to No. 20 before a week nine road trip.
Week nine: at Oregon (Eugene, OR)
No. 4: Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten +2)
Week eight: 24-7 win vs. No. 16 USC
Wisconsin continued its great run by dominating USC at home. Wisconsin's defense kept the high-powered USC offense in check, holding them to 241 total offensive yards, including -17 rushing yards. The offense did just enough to win, and the Badgers didn't beat themselves. After sneaking into the top 25, Wisconsin would love nothing more than to stick it to rival Iowa, win the Heartland Trophy, and officially cancel any plans Iowa has of making the College Football Playoff.
Week nine: at Iowa (Iowa City, IA)
No. 3: Indiana (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten, -1)
Week eight: 13-6 win at Michigan
After a heartbreaking loss to Ohio State that snapped their 22-game winning streak, Indiana needed overtime to squeak past Michigan on the road. Quarterback Josh Hoover was banged up and nearly benched, and Indiana's offense suffered as a result. The Hoosiers managed only 212 total offensive yards, but won the turnover battle. A win is a win, but it wasn't convincing enough to keep Indiana in the top two.
Week nine: vs. Minnesota (Bloomington, IN)
No. 2: UCLA (7-0, 5-0 Big Ten +1)
Week eight: 28-10 win vs. Michigan State
UCLA stayed perfect after rallying to beat Michigan State. The Spartans scored first and kept the game at one score going into halftime. The offense woke up in the second half, and the rushing attack tallied 245 yards. The Bruins continue to play well, using a potent rushing attack to overwhelm teams. UCLA has a strange midseason non-conference game in week nine before a tough road game against Minnesota in week 10.
Week nine: vs. Nevada (Pasadena, CA)
No. 1: Ohio State (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten, --)
Week eight: BYE
Ohio State earned a massive victory over Indiana in week seven before a week-eight bye. It will be Ohio State's first game without starting quarterback Julian Sayin, who is out for an undetermined period. Jeremiah Smith is still a Heisman frontrunner, and the defense has been solid, but they face a tough test against USC in week nine.
Week nine: at USC (Los Angeles)
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