Big Ten football power rankings: Gophers keep climbing but still chasing Iowa

The Gophers are riding a four-game win streak, but the Hawkeyes clobbered Wisconsin and also defeated Minnesota 31-14 back in September.

The Minnesota Star Tribune
November 4, 2024 at 7:50PM
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz celebrates with quarterback Brendan Sullivan (1) during Saturday's 42-10 victory over Wisconsin. (Charlie Neibergall)

Big Ten power rankings

1. Oregon (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten): In dominant 38-17 win at Michigan, the Ducks outgained the Wolverines 470-270 and converted 10 of 15 third-down situations. Only a three-game collapse would keep them out of the College Football Playoff.

2. Ohio State (7-1, 4-1): Physical Buckeyes dug out of 10-0 hole to beat Penn State 20-13 in Happy Valley. Final two games against Indiana and Michigan will determine their conference and playoff fate.

3. Indiana (9-0, 6-0): The Hoosiers trailed in a game for the first time this season, down 10-0 at Michigan State. Then QB Kurtis Rourke led IU to 47 unanswered points and a 9-0 start for the first time in program history.

4. Penn State (7-1, 4-1): With the loss to Ohio State, Nittany Lions coach James Franklin fell to 1-12 against AP top 10 teams since his arrival in State College. That Nov. 23 trip to Minnesota could loom large for Penn State’s playoff hopes.

5. Iowa (6-3, 4-2): What in the name of Brian Ferentz is going on here? The Hawkeyes hammered Wisconsin 42-10, giving them 40 or more points in three of their past four contests.

6. Gophers (6-3, 4-2): Coach P.J. Fleck’s team owned the key moments in a 25-17 win at No. 24 Illinois, and QB Max Brosmer directed another comeback. Now comes the Athan Kaliakmanis revenge game at Rutgers.

7. Illinois (6-3, 3-3): QB Luke Altmyer lost two key fumbles vs. Gophers. One led to a Minnesota field goal. The other ended the game with the Illini at the Gophers 16-yard line.

8. Washington (5-4, 3-3): The Huskies used two fourth-quarter defensive stops to turn back USC 26-21. Washington needs one win for bowl eligibility with trips to Penn State and Oregon and a home game vs. UCLA upcoming.

9. Michigan (5-4, 3-3): Hammered 38-17 at home by Oregon, the Wolverines just might have seen the team that succeeds them as national champions.

10. Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3): The Badgers had a six-possession stretch in 42-10 loss to Iowa in which they gained only 67 yards. They’ve lost two in a row and are host to No. 1 Oregon on Nov. 16.

11. Nebraska (5-4, 2-4): By losing 27-20 to UCLA, the Huskers left themselves a thin margin to make a bowl for the first time since 2016. They need to beat USC, Wisconsin or Iowa.

12. Michigan State (4-5, 2-4): The Spartans took their lumps in a 47-10 loss to Indiana, rushing for minus-36 yards while giving up seven sacks.

13. UCLA (3-5, 2-4): QB Ethan Garbers leads 27-20 Bruins victory at Nebraska. In UCLA’s active two-game win streak, he’s thrown six TD passes and no interceptions.

14. USC (4-5, 2-5): Three interceptions thrown by QB Miller Moss doom Trojans in 26-21 loss to Washington, extending USC’s skid to four losses in past five games.

15. Maryland (4-4, 1-4): Terrapins had week off to prepare for trip to No. 1 Oregon.

16. Northwestern (4-5, 2-4): The Wildcats survive a scare from Purdue before winning 26-20 in overtime. Now they’re off a week until facing Ohio State on Nov. 16 at Wrigley Field.

17. Rutgers (4-4, 1-4): Scarlet Knights were on their bye week, preparing for a visit from Gophers in a game dripping with story lines.

18. Purdue (1-7, 0-5): Boilermakers coach Ryan Walters eschews field-goal attempt in overtime vs. Northwestern and goes for it on fourth-and-6. Purdue can’t convert, and the Wildcats score on their possession for 26-20 win.

about the writer

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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