The Iowa Hawkeyes: So hot right now!
The Hawkeyes headed to Ann Arbor for their first game of the Big Ten Conference schedule and passed the first test. Michigan dominated most of the game, but the Hawkeyes didn't beat themselves and pulled out a win in the final seconds. Before No. 14 Iowa welcomes No. 5 Ohio State to Kinnick Stadium for an afternoon clash, we have our Big Ten power rankings for week five.
No. 18: Rutgers (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten, --)
Week four: 58-7 win vs. Howard
Rutgers went out of conference to take on Howard in week four, and unsurprisingly, they dominated. The Scarlet Knights took care of business with a 58-7 win, but the Bison are not the kind of competition that will move Rutgers up the rankings. We will wait to see what happens when they face Indiana this weekend.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 vs. Indiana (Piscataway, NJ)
No. 17: Purdue (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten, --)
Week 4: 49-10 loss vs. Notre Dame
If Purdue would have put up more of a fight against a solid Notre Dame squad, it could have earned some brownie points, and maybe jumped in the rankings. They did not, and they will will not move up after getting schlacked 49-10. It is looking like another brutal season in West Lafayette for the Boilermakers.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 at Illinois (Champaign, IL)
No. 16: Maryland (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten, --)
Week four: 54-3 loss vs. UCLA
The Terrapins got absolutely manhandled by UCLA, who have started the season strongly. The Bruins have one of the best rushing attacks in college football, overwhleming Maryland at home in week four. Week five won't be easier for the Terrapins as they hit the road to Lincoln, NE to take on the 4-0 Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 at Nebraska (Lincoln, NE)
No. 15: Michigan State (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten, --)
Week four: 31-13 loss vs. Nebraska
Michigan State continues to underwhelm in Pat Fitzgerald's first season at the helm, and its week four loss was never really in doubt. Nebraska dominated on the ground (157 rushing yards) and put up nearly 400 yards of total offense on the Spartans, handing them their first Big Ten Conference loss. If it weren't for the three teams below them, MSU would have definitely moved down this week.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 at Wisconsin (Madison, WI)
No. 14: Illinois (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten, -3)
Week four: 42-19 loss vs. Ohio State
Illinois' offense had some success against Ohio State's defense (462 total yards), but this game was never really in doubt. The Fighting Illini defense surrendered 518 total yards to Ohio State, including 217 to wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Illinois' rough start continues as it drops three spots in our week-five power rankings.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 vs. Purdue (Champaign, IL)
No. 13: Washington (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten, -4)
Week four: 27-24 loss vs. Minnesota
Washington was multiple people's dark-horse candidate in the Big Ten, but took a brutal loss to Minnesota at home. The Huskies didn't score on any of their first three drives, punting three times and throwing an interception. Washington started the game slow, and the running game never woke up as the unranked Minnesota Golden Gophers knocked them off. The Huskies now face a tough USC squad in week five with zero margin for error.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 at USC (Los Angeles)
No. 12: Penn State (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten, -9)
Week four: 24-20 loss vs. Wisconsin
There was a ton of offseason hype surrounding Matt Campbell and the new-look Penn State Nittany Lions, and they had a perfect chance to get Campbell his first Big Ten win. The Nittany Lions came out extremely flat at home, and the offense was asleep all game. The offense mustered only 233 total yards and was a horrible 7/18 on third-down conversions. This is inexcusable, especially against an unranked opponent, and they were our biggest faller this week.
Next game: Friday, October 2 at Northwestern (Evanston, IL)
No. 11: Northwestern (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten, -1)
Week four: 29-23 loss at Indiana
Northwestern dipped slightly after a close road loss to Indiana. The Wildcats were extremely competitive against the reigning National Champs, but strangely opted for a late field goal instead of going for it on fourth down. The Wildcats might have exposed the Hoosiers secondary, putting up 325 passing yards, but it wasn't enough.
Next game: Friday, October 2 vs. Penn State (Evanston, IL)
No. 10: Minnesota (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten, +4)
Week four: 27-24 win at Washington
Minnesota wasn't expected to go to Seattle and knock off Washington in its own building, but they did. Minnesota led for most of the game, and Drake Lindsey tossed three touchdown passes in the win. The Golden Gophers earned a solid conference win in week four, and we'll see if they can carry that momentum into week five.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 vs. Michigan (Minneapolis)
No. 9: USC (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten, -2)
Week four: 41-27 loss vs. Oregon
Lincoln Riley's seat is heating up after a brutal home loss to Oregon, especially after a dirty hit on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore. That alone warranted dropping them, but the Trojans' defense justified the slide. They allowed the Ducks 504 total yards, including 289 passing yards to backup quarterback Dylan Raiola, which simply can't happen. USC's defense still hasn't turned a corner, prompting many to label them as overrated.
Next game: BYE
No. 8: Michigan (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten, --)
Week four: 20-19 loss vs. Iowa
Michigan is probably still wondering how it let the game against Iowa slip away, especially after quarterback Bryce Underwood's best game of the season. The Wolverines dominated in most statistical categories, but untimely penalties and a special teams score sunk them against the Hawkeyes. A close loss to a solid Iowa team didn't drop them this week, and they have a chance to get back on track against Minnesota in week five.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 at Minnesota (Minneapolis)
No. 7: Nebraska (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten, +4)
Week four: 31-13 win at Michigan State
There's an argument for ranking undefeated Nebraska even higher, but they haven't faced tough competition through the first four weeks. Earning a Big Ten win is always important, but they did it against a rebuilding Michigan State squad. Nebraska moved up this week, and falling just outside of the top five feels right until they play some stronger opponents.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 vs. Maryland (Lincoln, NE)
No. 6: Wisconsin (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten, +6)
Week four: 24-20 win at Washington
Wisconsin was one of our biggest risers this week after going into Beaver Stadium and knocking off Penn State. The Nittany Lions were 9.5-point favorites, but that didn't stop the Badgers from looking like the better team. Wisconsin used a balanced attack and stellar defensive effort to take care of business, giving Luke Fickell a massive win.
No. 5: UCLA (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten, --)
Week four: 54-3 win at Maryland
UCLA's elite rushing attack has been something to behold through the first four weeks of the season, and quarterback Nico Iamaleava looks like he has finally hit his stride. The UCLA defense has also been good, and the Bruins easily took care of business on the road against Maryland in week four. UCLA stayed put in this week's rankings because Maryland isn't good, but we could easily see them move up if they continue playing the way they have.
Next game: BYE
No. 4: Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten, +2)
Week four: 20-19 win at Michigan
Iowa did the improbable by going into the "Big House" and knocking off Michigan. Iowa was the higher-ranked team, but Michigan was the favorite. Iowa used a solid passing attack and a special teams score to knock off the Wolverines, and they must carry that momentum into week five against a very tough Ohio State squad.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 vs. Ohio State (Iowa City, IA)
No. 3: Oregon (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten, +1)
Week four: 41-27 win at USC
After an extremely disappointing loss to Oklahoma State in week two, the Ducks responded by schlacking Portland and earning a huge victory over USC. The Trojans were favored at home, but the Ducks' offense exposed their defense. After a dirty hit on starting quarterback Dante Moore, transfer Dylan Raiola was forced in and had one of his best games as a college quarterback. Questions about Lincoln Riley's lack of defense are resurfacing, but regardless, Oregon earned a solid win.
Next game: BYE
No. 2: Ohio State (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten, --)
Week four: 42-19 win vs. Illinois
The Buckeyes' defense definitely has some question marks, but they got the job done against Fighting Illini. Jeremiah Smith showed why he'll be a top-five pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, tallying 217 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Ohio State has a tough road test against Iowa in week five, but they are a two-touchdown favorite to move to 2-0 in Big Ten play.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 at Iowa (Iowa City, IA)
No. 1: Indiana (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Week four: 29-23 win vs. Northwestern
It was a lot closer than expected, but Indiana got the job done against Northwestern at home. The Hoosiers' defense was suspect at times, but the offense had just enough firepower to hold off the Wildcats. Until someone knocks them off, the Hoosiers will stay on top of the power rankings.
Next game: Saturday, October 3 at Rutgers (Piscataway, NJ)
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