Big Ten Power Rankings: Indiana football top 8 team and still undefeated
Last game: 24-3 win vs. Virginia
Next game: Sept. 22 vs. Chattanooga
After a heartbreaking loss to the Hoosiers in Week 1, the Fighting Illini responded with a dominant performance against the Virginia Cavaliers. Despite starting the game with an interception, fumble, punt, and punt, Illinois and Tommy DeVito threw two 35+ yard passing touchdowns and Chase Brown dominated the running game with 146 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Brown is currently on pace to finish with 1,984 rushing yards on the season, which would be a school record and the most by any Big Ten running back in a single season since Jonathan Taylor and J.K. Dobbins rushed for 2,003 yards in 2019.
The Illini have some talent offensively and, in my opinion, can challenge some higher-level teams in the Big Ten with Brown and DeVito, but it seems like the rest of the offense and defense need to catch up for Illinois to make some noise in the Big Ten. After Thursday’s matchup with Chattanooga, the Illini will take on Wisconsin on the road and Iowa and Minnesota at home the following weeks to reopen conference play.
Last game: 16-14 win @ Temple
Next game: Sept. 24 vs. Iowa
After barely beating Boston College in Week 1 and sneaking away with a road win against Temple, Rutgers lands at the number nine spot in the Big Ten Power Rankings. No big standouts for the Scarlet Knights last weekend as Evan Simon threw for just 52 yards and no receiver had more than 18 yards receiving.
Rutgers defense secured the victory for the Scarlet Knights, as they forced a turnover on downs with just over two minutes remaining in the game. Sophomore linebacker, Aaron Lewis, led the defensive unit with a game-high 11 total tackles and two tackles for loss. Taking on Iowa at home should hopefully lead to a win for Rutgers, but then following that up with a road game to Columbus to face #3 Ohio State sounds like no fun at all.
Last game: 33-30 OT win vs. Western Kentucky
Next game: Sept. 24 @ Cincinnati
Chuck. Campbell. The senior kicker knocked in a 51-yard field goal in overtime to give the Hoosiers their third win of the season and keep them undefeated. There were many key players in Indiana’s emotional win over Western Kentucky on Saturday afternoon, including starting quarterback, Connor Bazelak, who started the game slow again, but finished with 364 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Must Read. 5 Key Hoosiers from emotional win vs. WKU. light
Indiana came back from down 10+ points in the fourth quarter for the first time since 2002 and now looks ahead to a road game against last season’s CFP participant, Cincinnati, as they hope to keep their undefeated season alive. The luck will eventually run out for Hoosier nation, but while it still lasts, maybe Indiana football can make some noise in Cincinnati this weekend.
Last game: 39-28 loss @ Washington
Next game: Sept. 24 vs. Minnesota
Unable to handle former Indiana quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., Michigan State is now the first team from the Big Ten East to lose a game this season and falls to 2-1. Washington is clearly going to be a problem in the Pac 12, especially with Penix, who has thrown for 330+ yards in three straight games to start his final college season and even put his name in the Heisman conversation.
Falling down 22-0 to start the game basically gave the Spartans no chance, despite Payton Thorne throwing for 323 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to Keon Coleman, who brought in nine catches for 116 yards. Michigan State now takes on the hot Minnesota Golden Gophers in East Lansing, before taking on Maryland, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Michigan in consecutive weeks.
Last game: 66-7 win vs. New Mexico State
Next game: Sept. 24 @ #3 Ohio State
Wisconsin football returned to form with its dominant win over New Mexico State on Saturday, thanks to running back, Braelon Allen, who ran for 86 yards and three touchdowns on just 15 attempts and quarterback, Graham Mertz, who finished with 251 passing yards and three touchdowns to lead the way.
The defense showed its true colors as well, with C.J. Goetz and Nick Herbig with 1.5 tackles for loss each. If the Badgers need the offense and defense to show up, it is next week to put them back in the conversation to win the Big Ten, as they face #3 Ohio State in Columbus. Wisconsin has not beaten Ohio State in a road game since 2004 and has not beaten the Buckeyes anywhere since 2010.
Last game: 34-27 win vs. SMU
Next game: Sept. 24 @ #4 Michigan
Maryland had a battle against SMU last weekend, and despite 15 penalties against the Terrapins, pulled out a victory, primarily because of the play by quarterback, Taulia Tagovailoa, and running back, Roman Hemby. Tagovailoa finished with 214 passing yards and 51 rushing yards, while Hemby dominated the ground game with 151 yards and a touchdown on just 16 attempts.
The Terrapins now begin their conference slate with a game in Ann Arbor against one of the best teams in the nation, #4 Michigan, then follows that up with a home game against Michigan State. Michigan will be Maryland’s toughest conference game until they travel to University Park to take on #10 Penn State in Week 10. Can Tagovailoa lead Maryland to a top-25 seed in the coming weeks?