Big Ten power rankings
Hawkeyes rise, Badgers fall in Randy Johnson's weekly Big Ten rankings
Iowa survived a defensive struggle against Wisconsin. Next up: a visit from the Gophers.
October 17, 2023 at 2:38PM
1. Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten): Wolverines allow trick-play TD to Indiana, then score the next 52 points.
2. Ohio State (6-0, 3-0): Buckeyes prep for visit from Penn State by routing Purdue 41-7.
3. Penn State (6-0, 3-0): Nittany Lions outgain UMass 408-109 in 63-0 drubbing.
4. Iowa (6-1, 3-1): QB Deacon Hill goes 6-for-14 for 37 yards yet Hawkeyes still beat Wisconsin 15-6 to take lead in Big Ten West.
5. Rutgers (5-2, 2-2): Down 18 points in fourth quarter to Michigan State, Scarlet Knights rally for 27-24 win.
6. Maryland (5-2, 2-2): Third-quarter onside kick backfires on Terrapins, who fall 27-24 to Illinois.
7. Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1): Loss to Iowa was doubly painful. QB Tanner Mordecai suffers broken hand that will sideline him indefinitely.
8. Northwestern (3-3, 1-2): After bye week, Wildcats head to Nebraska for matchup with bowl eligibility implications for both teams.
9. Gophers (3-3, 1-2): Week off gave Gophers extra time to prep for Iowa, where the program hasn't won since 1999.
10. Nebraska (3-3, 1-2): With Northwestern, Purdue and Michigan State upcoming, Huskers could get on a roll.
11. Illinois (3-4, 1-3): Fighting Illini stun Maryland 27-24 on a last-play field goal.
12. Purdue (2-5, 1-3): Boilermakers fall to 1-4 at home with loss to Ohio State.
13. Michigan State (2-4, 0-3): Spartans drop to 0-4 under interim coach Harlon Bennett.
14. Indiana (2-4, 0-3): Four turnovers help fuel blowout loss to Michigan.
The Gophers were left to ponder what might have been and what kind of team they are after staging a stirring fourth-quarter comeback in a 27-24 loss to the Wolverines.
