Big Ten power rankings: How far did the Gophers tumble?
What's standing between Michigan and a higher ranking? Where are the Gophers after their jarring loss to Northwestern? The latest from college football writer Randy Johnson.
September 26, 2023 at 3:42PM
1. Ohio State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten): Late rally at Notre Dame shows QB Kyle McCord can rise to the moment.
2. Penn State (4-0, 2-0): Balanced Nittany Lions get four TD passes from Drew Allar vs. Iowa, keep the ball for 42 minutes.
3. Michigan (4-0, 1-0): Soft schedule so far pushes Wolverines down. They'll have their chances to move up against Nittany Lions, Buckeyes.
4. Maryland (4-0, 1-0): Terps defense forces five Michigan State turnovers while Taulia Tagovailoa accounts for four TDs.
5. Wisconsin (3-1, 1-0): Seventeenth consecutive win over Purdue was costly: RB Chez Mellusi lost for season.
6. Rutgers (3-1, 1-1): Scarlet Knights hung with Wolverines until mistakes did them in.
7. Iowa (3-1, 0-1): Hawkeyes cough up four turnovers, generate only 76 yards at Penn State.
8. Northwestern (2-2, 1-1): Wildcats roll up 313 yards, 30 points after halftime to stun Gophers.
9. Illinois (2-2, 0-1): Fighting Illini rally, then hang on for six-point win over Florida Atlantic.
10. Gophers (2-2, 1-1): Up 31-10 in the fourth quarter, Gophers stop playing defense vs. Northwestern.
11. Nebraska (2-2, 0-1): Huskers rush for 312 yards in win over Louisiana Tech.
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12. Indiana (2-2, 0-1): Hoosiers needed OT to beat Akron.
13. Michigan State (2-2, 0-1): Spartans have been outscored 72-16 over the past two weeks.
14. Purdue (1-3, 0-1): Boilermakers have given up an average of 37.3 points in their three losses.
Minnesota’s bench scored 50 points, including a team-leading 18 points from graduate transfer Annika Stewart, showcasing the depth that coach Dawn Plitzuweit promised.
