Are Gophers still top-half Big Ten football team? See Randy Johnson's latest power rankings

The Gophers (5-4) have been up-and-down, but several Big Ten teams have had it worse this season.

November 7, 2023 at 3:27PM
Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott (14) celebrated after breaking up a pass intended for the Gophers’ Corey Crooms Jr. in Saturday’s game at Huntington Bank Stadium. (Aaron Lavinsky, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Big Ten power rankings

1. Michigan (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten): With all their distractions, Wolverines allow a season-high 13 points to Purdue yet still win by four touchdowns.

2. Ohio State (9-0, 6-0): Jordan Hancock's 93-yard pick-six in third quarter gives Buckeyes needed spark in 35-16 win at Rutgers.

3. Penn State (8-1, 5-1): Drew Allar has his best game yet, passing for four TDs in 51-15 rout of Maryland. Nittany Lions will need him to be just as sharp against Michigan.

4. Rutgers (6-3, 3-3): Scarlet Knights held 9-7 halftime lead against Ohio State, but settling for short field goals cost them.

5. Iowa (7-2, 4-2): Special teams come up big with blocked punt to set up touchdown and 53-yard field goal to beat Northwestern 10-7.

6. Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3): Playing without top RB Braelon Allen and top WR Chimere Dike, Badgers didn't generate enough offense in 20-14 loss at Indiana.

7. Gophers (5-4, 3-3): After blown late fourth-quarter leads against Northwestern and Illinois, Gophers are happy to see no other teams from Land of Lincoln on their schedule.

8. Nebraska (5-4, 3-3): Three turnovers, porous pass defense doom Huskers in 20-17 loss at Michigan State.

9. Northwestern (4-5, 2-4): Wildcats had ball at Iowa 2-yard line midway through fourth quarter but were stopped on four runs.

10. Maryland (5-4, 2-4): Terrapins have been outscored 112-19 in three consecutive losses to Penn State.

11. Illinois (4-5, 2-4): Backup QB John Paddock needed only three passes to drive Illini 85 yards for decisive TD in 27-26 win over Gophers.

12. Indiana (3-6, 1-5): Hoosiers end six-game losing streak with victory over Wisconsin.

13. Michigan State (3-6, 1-5): Interim coach Harlon Barnett posts first victory as Spartans hold off Nebraska.

14. Purdue (2-7, 1-5): Boilermakers go 1-for-14 on third-down situations in 41-13 loss at Michigan.

about the writer

Randy Johnson

College football reporter

Randy Johnson covers University of Minnesota football and college football for the Star Tribune, along with Gophers hockey and the Wild.

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