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Big Ten Power Rankings: Twin towers Michigan, Ohio State further separate from sad pack

rob oller, columbus dispatch
·4 min read

And then there were two. Penn State laid an egg against Ohio State’s hard-boiled defense. The Mountain Kittens offense looked scrambled, leaving PSU anything but sunny-side up. Michigan silenced noisy neighbor Michigan State, leaving the Wolverines and Buckeyes as the creamiest cream of the crop. As for ranking the other 12 teams, it’s kind of like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. A bad look regardless. Which explains why there wasn’t much movement this week. It says something when a six-win Iowa loses to a three-win Minnesota and doesn’t drop.

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy hoists the Paul Bunyan Trophy after the Wolverines' 49-0 win over the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy hoists the Paul Bunyan Trophy after the Wolverines' 49-0 win over the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

1. Michigan (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 1

This week: idle

What to know: A week off to steal a little sleep and spy fun costumes to wear for Halloween? Michigan says “Sign me up.”

Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (30) celebrates a tackle of Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 20-12.
Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (30) celebrates a tackle of Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 20-12.

2. Ohio State (7-0, 4-0)

Last week: 2

This week: at Wisconsin

What to know: The Buckeyes’ offense has three main parts: Marvin Harrison Jr and, uh, Marvin Harrison Jr, with help from Marvin Harrison Jr. No matter, the defense has ballers everywhere, as the Badgers are about to discover.

Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin yells after a call against his defense during the second quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium.
Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin yells after a call against his defense during the second quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium.

3. Penn State (6-1, 3-1)

Last week: 3

This week: vs. Indiana

What to know: If Netflix produced a documentary about the Nittany Lions it might be titled “Exposed.” The defense is decent enough, but that passing offense? Ick.

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Max Llewellyn (48) and Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Aaron Graves (95) celebrate a stop on fourth down during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette via AP)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Max Llewellyn (48) and Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Aaron Graves (95) celebrate a stop on fourth down during an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Madison, Wis. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette via AP)

4. Iowa (6-2, 3-2)

Last week: 4

This week: idle

What to know: Defense may win championships, but you first must reach the championship game. And that requires occasionally getting the ball over the goal line. The Hawkeyes don’t believe in that.

Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1)

Last week: 5

This week: vs. Ohio State

What to know: The Badgers needed an 18-point fourth-quarter comeback to avoid losing to Illinois. That they were behind that far is alarming, but that they managed to rally shows an offense capable of scoring points in a hurry.

Oct 21, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Samuel Brown V (27) runs the ball in front of Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Samuel Brown V (27) runs the ball in front of Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

6. Rutgers (6-2, 3-2)

Last week: 6

This week: idle

What to know: The Scarlet Knights are bowl eligible for the first time since 2014. That’s worth lighting the Empire State Building in red and white.

Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin (3) is lifted up by teammate Isaiah Adams (78) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin (3) is lifted up by teammate Isaiah Adams (78) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

7. Illinois (3-5, 1-4)

Last week: 7

This week: idle

What to know: Illini coach Bret Bielema said he thought his team was “locked in” until the fourth-quarter collapse against Wisconsin, after which the orange and blue got locked out.

Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Antwain Littleton II (7) celebrates with wide receiver Tai Felton (10) after scoring a touchdown during the second half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Antwain Littleton II (7) celebrates with wide receiver Tai Felton (10) after scoring a touchdown during the second half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

8. Maryland (5-2, 2-2)

Last week: 8

This week: at Northwestern

What to know: What to say about the unpredictable Terrapins, other than we’re still wearing bandages from getting burned by always picking them to be better than they are.

Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) rushes against Northwestern's Carmine Bastone (90) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Nebraska quarterback Heinrich Haarberg (10) rushes against Northwestern's Carmine Bastone (90) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

9. Nebraska (4-3, 2-2)

Last week: 12

This week: vs. Purdue

What to know: The Black Shirts once were feared defenders. Then a series of poor coaching hires ran them through the wash with bleach. Things may be changing under Matt Rhule. The Huskers have held back-to-back opponents to under 10 points for the first time since 2010.

Northwestern interim head coach David Braun, left, protests a personal foul called on his team against Nebraska during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Northwestern interim head coach David Braun, left, protests a personal foul called on his team against Nebraska during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

10. Northwestern (3-4, 1-3)

Last week: 9

This week: vs. Maryland

What to know: The Wildcats have lost 14 consecutive true road games. This one is at home, not that it will make a difference.

Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis looks to pass the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

11. Minnesota (4-3, 2-2)

Last week: 11

This week: vs. Michigan State

What to know: The Golden Gophers caught a break when an Iowa punt return for a touchdown was waved off by penalty, clinching the upset. They won’t need similar breaks against an MSU team already broken.

Oct. 14, 2023; Lafayette, In., USA; Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Yanni Karlaftis (14) comes up with the football after a fumble by Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in Lafayette.
Oct. 14, 2023; Lafayette, In., USA; Purdue Boilermakers linebacker Yanni Karlaftis (14) comes up with the football after a fumble by Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord (6) during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in Lafayette.

12 Purdue (2-5, 1-3)

Last week: 10

This week: at Nebraska

What to know: The Boilermakers are 101st in scoring offense. That won’t get it done against a Nebraska defense that ranks 26th in points allowed.

Michigan Wolverines defensive end Josaiah Stewart (5) tackles Michigan State Spartans running back Nathan Carter (5) during second-half action at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
Michigan Wolverines defensive end Josaiah Stewart (5) tackles Michigan State Spartans running back Nathan Carter (5) during second-half action at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

13. Michigan State (2-5, 0-4)

Last week: 13

This week: at Minnesota

What to know: Sparty resembles a traffic accident. Nothing to do but gawk at the mayhem.

Oct 21, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. (7) misses a pass in the end zone in front of Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Shaquan Loyal (6) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver E.J. Williams Jr. (7) misses a pass in the end zone in front of Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Shaquan Loyal (6) during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

14. Indiana (2-5, 0-4)

Last week: 14

This week: at Penn State

What to know: Getting shut out by PSU is no way to feel welcomed in State College, but the Hoosiers’ side of the scoreboard flashes  “No vacancy” nonetheless.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State, Michigan football best of weak rest, sit 1-2 in rankings