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After one week of college football its obvious that the top will stay the top until conference play starts barring a huge upset. But...the squishy middle could flip and flop consistently this season. You will see a bit of movement in this rankings compared to last weeks, but it could all be temporary.
As a reminder I rank the teams both 1-7 in their respective divisions, and then 1-14 overall in the Big Ten.
Here are my Week 1 Big Ten Football Power Rankings;
Big Ten East:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes got off to a quick 1-0 start in the Big Ten with a win over Indiana in Bloomington. The Hoosiers made it a lot closer than people thought it might be for a half, but then OSU took over. It was a common theme this week from a lot of the top Big Ten teams.
This week the Buckeyes will have the toughest test of any Big Ten team this season when the #5 Oklahoma Sooners come to Columbus. Ohio State had to problem beating the Sooners in Norman last year, so we shall see if they can repeat the outcome this season.
2. Penn State Nittany Lions
A 52-0 win over the Akron Zips was a yawner from start to finish. PSU could move up to the #1 spot if the Buckeyes falter against Oklahoma and the Nittany Lions can win at home against intra-state rival Pittsburgh.
3. Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines were locked in a slow game with the Florida Gators until the second half when they pulled away to move to 1-0 on the season. The Cincinnati Bearcats come to the Big House this weekend, and while their running back thinks they can pull the upset....its probably not going to happen.
4. Maryland Terrapins
The Terps impressed last weekend going down to Austin and ruining Tom Herman’s debut of the coach of the Texas Longhorns. The win was costly though as quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome tore his acl and will miss the rest of the season. True freshman Kasim Hill will need to learn fast. With Towson coming to town this week, he should have a rather easy time to pick things up.
5. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans did what they needed to do and took care of Bowling Green fairly easily in East Lansing. Just getting things straightened out is a big sigh of relief for Spartan fans. It won’t be an easy task this week as the Western Michigan Broncos come to down off of a great performance at USC.
6. Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana made things interesting for a half. Then they remembered they were Indiana. They travel to Virginia this Saturday in what could be a tough game, and result in an 0-2 start.
7. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers kept the game against Washington Huskies a lot closer than I think most anyone thought. I’m not buying them yet though. Eastern Michigan comes to Jersey this weekend in what should be a fairly easy win for the Scarlet Knights.
Big Ten West
1. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers went down 10-0 early to the Utah State Aggies, and everyone wondered what the hell was going on. Then they scored 59 straight points. Never mind. The Badgers should easily move to 2-0 this week when Florida Atlantic comes to town...and depending on how bad Irma is may not leave for a while.
2. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa came out in what could have been a trap game against Wyoming and really played well. They shut down star quarterback Josh Allen fairly easily. This weekend is a bus ride to face Iowa State in ¡El Assico! On paper its a win....but we all know crazy stuff happens in the farm bowl.
3. Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern didn’t look bad against Nevada, but they didn’t look good either. They should be able to get rolling more smoothly in the brain bowl when the Wildcats take on the Duke Blue Devils
4. Minnesota Gophers
It wasn’t pretty that’s for sure, but a win is a win. This week should tell us a lot more about this team and determine if its time to float them a lot further towards the bottom of the list. But a nice solid win over Oregon State, and optimism could be strong in Dinkytown.
5. Nebraska Cornhuskers
I had Nebraska a bit lower than the Gophers last week, and they didn’t really look like they deserved to move up in just squeaking past the Arkansas State Red Wolves at home. We also will learn a lost more about the Cornhuskers this week when they play at the Oregon Ducks.
6. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue played great against the Louisville Cardinals for most of the game, but just didn’t have enough in the end. Was it a opening game fluke?—or will Purdue be a much better team this season. The Ohio Bobcats come to town Friday night in what should be a win for a Big Ten team—but??
7. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois should have lost to Ball State at home. Its going to be a loong year for the illini faithful. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers come in this weekend in what should be a win for Illinois.
Big Ten Teams Ranked 1-14
- Ohio State Buckeyes (Previously #1)
- Penn State Nittany Lions (#2)
- Michigan Wolverines (#3_
- Wisconsin Badgers (#4)
- Iowa Hawkeyes (#6)
- Northwestern Wildcats (#5)
- Maryland Terrapins (#9)
- Michigan State Spartans (#10)
- Minnesota Gophers (#7)
- Nebraska Cornhuskers (#8)
- Purdue Boilermakers (#12)
- Indiana Hoosiers (#11)
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights (#14)
- Illinois Fighting Illini (#13)
As always, if you disagree, let me know in the comments.