Big Ten football power rankings: How much more have the Gophers dropped?

While Ohio State and Michigan battle for the top spot, the Gophers will face Wisconsin, hoping to end a three-game losing streak.

November 21, 2023 at 4:09PM
Ohio State and Minnesota are in very different places in our latest Big Ten power rankings. (Jay LaPrete, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Big Ten power rankings

1. Ohio State (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten): Buckeyes prepped for The Game by beating Gophers 37-3 behind 172 all-purpose yards and two TDs from RB TreVeyon Henderson. He could be the difference-maker against Michigan.

2. Michigan (11-0, 8-0): Wolverines showed some vulnerabilities in 31-24 win over Maryland. QB J.J. McCarthy has gone three games without a TD pass.

3. Penn State (9-2, 6-2): After QB Drew Allar left the game injured, Nittany Lions leaned on rushing of Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton to beat Rutgers 27-6. Penn State remains in line for New Year's Six bowl.

4. Iowa (9-2, 6-2): Fourth-quarter rally in 15-13 win over Illinois sends Hawkeyes to Big Ten title game and likely to Citrus Bowl.

5. Maryland (6-5, 3-5): Taulia Tagovailoa dooms Terrapins' upset bid against Michigan by throwing two interceptions, taking a safety for intentional grounding.

6. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5): Scarlet Knights were in a giving mood against Penn State. Three Rutgers turnovers led to 17 Nittany Lions points.

7. Northwestern (6-5, 4-4): Raise your hand if you thought the Wildcats would make a bowl game after hazing scandal forced coach Pat Fitzgerald to resign. David Braun deservedly had his interim coach tag removed.

8. Wisconsin (6-5, 4-4): Banged-up Braelon Allen scored two TDs, including winner in OT, as Badgers gained bowl eligibility with 24-17 overtime victory over Nebraska.

9. Illinois (5-6, 3-5): Tight loss to Iowa means the Fighting Illini need to beat Northwestern to reach bowl eligibility.

10. Gophers (5-6, 3-5): P.J. Fleck's team took its beating at Ohio State, now will try to win Paul Bunyan's Axe for a third consecutive year.

11. Nebraska (5-6, 3-5): After near miss against Wisconsin, Huskers need to beat Iowa on Friday to secure a bowl bid.

12. Michigan State (4-7, 2-6): Spartans get late touchdown to edge Indiana 24-21 and, most importantly, win back the Old Brass Spittoon.

13. Purdue (3-8, 2-6): Loss to Northwestern was the fifth in six games for the Boilermakers.

14. Indiana (3-8, 1-7): Hoosiers had a chance to beat Michigan State on late field goal, but Chris Freeman's 48-yard attempt sailed wide left.

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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