Big Ten power rankings
Badgers, Hawkeyes bunched up in Big Ten power rankings ahead of matchup
Randy Johnson has a new No. 1 in his weekly Big Ten power rankings. Wisconsin and Iowa, meanwhile, battle for a spot in the top five.
October 9, 2023 at 7:17PM
1. Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten): Wolverines have outscored opponents 224-40 after 52-10 romp over Gophers.
2. Ohio State (5-0, 2-0): Buckeyes beat Maryland by 20, but offensive line issues leave them vulnerable.
3. Penn State (5-0, 3-0): Idle last weekend, Nittany Lions face UMass in tuneup for Oct. 21 showdown at Ohio State.
4. Maryland (5-1, 2-1): Taulia Tagovailoa's two interceptions, one for a pick-six, doom Terps in 37-17 loss at Ohio State.
5. Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0): Ricardo Hallman's 95-yard interception return for TD swings game Badgers' way in 24-13 win over Rutgers.
6. Iowa (5-1, 2-1): Hawkeyes' defense collects 10 sacks, two interceptions in 20-14 win over Purdue, with a trip to Wisconsin next.
7. Rutgers (4-2, 1-2): Slow start sinks Scarlet Knights in loss to Wisconsin.
8. Northwestern (3-3, 1-2): Wildcats hold on for 23-20 win over FCS-level Howard.
9. Gophers (3-3, 1-2): Bye week comes at perfect time for Gophers after 42-point loss to Michigan.
10. Nebraska (3-3, 1-2): After 20-7 win at Illinois, Huskers have a clear path to bowl eligibility.
11. Purdue (2-4, 1-2): Boilermakers amass 343 yards against Iowa, but Hudson Card's two interceptions were costly.
12. Illinois (2-4, 0-3): Fighting Illini averaged 1.1 yards per rush in loss to Nebraska.
13. Indiana (2-3, 0-2): Hoosiers were idle, visit Michigan and Penn State over next three weeks.
14. Michigan State (2-3, 0-2): Coming off bye week, Spartans travel to Rutgers in hopes of ending three-game skid.
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.
