Big Ten power rankings
Gophers, other Big Ten West teams crowd bottom half of Randy Johnson's Big Ten power rankings
The Gophers are stuck with the Northwestern loss on their résumé, but the Big Ten West remains wide open.
October 2, 2023 at 5:00PM
1. Ohio State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten): Buckeyes had week off to prepare for visit from surging Maryland.
2. Michigan (5-0, 2-0): Wolverines hold ball for 38:01 in 45-7 rout of Nebraska. They've allowed 30 points total this season.
3. Penn State (5-0, 3-0): Tied 10-10 at halftime, Nittany Lions pour it on to beat Northwestern 41-13.
4. Maryland (5-0, 2-0): Taulia Tagovailoa accounts for six TDs, passes for 352 yards in 44-17 romp over Indiana. A trip to Ohio State awaits.
5. Wisconsin (3-1, 1-0): Badgers were idle, next face challenge from improving Rutgers team.
6. Rutgers (4-1, 1-1): Scarlet Knights prepped for trip to Wisconsin by routing FCS-level Wagner 52-3.
7. Iowa (4-1, 1-1): Hawkeyes come back to beat Michigan State 26-16, but QB Cade McNamara carted off with knee injury.
8. Northwestern (2-3, 1-2): Ben Bryant throws for only 122 yards, then leaves injured at Penn State.
9. Gophers (3-2, 1-1): Minnesota overcomes three-point halftime deficit vs. Louisiana with strong second half in 35-24 win.
10. Purdue (1-3, 0-1): Surge of 21 points in third quarter carries Boilermakers to 44-19 romp over Illinois.
11. Nebraska (2-3, 0-2): Huskers lose 23rd consecutive game to a top-25 opponent with loss to Michigan.
12. Illinois (2-3, 0-2): Fighting Illini go 2-for-13 on third down in loss to Purdue.
13. Indiana (2-3, 0-2): After 44-17 loss to Maryland, Hoosiers coach Tom Allen fires his offensive coordinator.
14. Michigan State (2-3, 0-2): Four turnovers, punt return allowed for TD doom Spartans in loss at Iowa.
Widely known that Minnesota sports fans are among the most suffering in the nation, this holiday season has the chance to become special, given the recent success of the Vikings, Wolves, Lynx and Wild.
