Hawkeyes rise, Badgers fall in Randy Johnson's weekly Big Ten rankings

Iowa survived a defensive struggle against Wisconsin. Next up: a visit from the Gophers.

October 17, 2023 at 2:38PM
Iowa running back Leshon Williams scored the opening touchdown in Saturday’s 15-6 victory at Wisconsin. (Geoff Stellfox, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Big Ten power rankings

1. Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten): Wolverines allow trick-play TD to Indiana, then score the next 52 points.

2. Ohio State (6-0, 3-0): Buckeyes prep for visit from Penn State by routing Purdue 41-7.

3. Penn State (6-0, 3-0): Nittany Lions outgain UMass 408-109 in 63-0 drubbing.

4. Iowa (6-1, 3-1): QB Deacon Hill goes 6-for-14 for 37 yards yet Hawkeyes still beat Wisconsin 15-6 to take lead in Big Ten West.

5. Rutgers (5-2, 2-2): Down 18 points in fourth quarter to Michigan State, Scarlet Knights rally for 27-24 win.

6. Maryland (5-2, 2-2): Third-quarter onside kick backfires on Terrapins, who fall 27-24 to Illinois.

7. Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1): Loss to Iowa was doubly painful. QB Tanner Mordecai suffers broken hand that will sideline him indefinitely.

8. Northwestern (3-3, 1-2): After bye week, Wildcats head to Nebraska for matchup with bowl eligibility implications for both teams.

9. Gophers (3-3, 1-2): Week off gave Gophers extra time to prep for Iowa, where the program hasn't won since 1999.

10. Nebraska (3-3, 1-2): With Northwestern, Purdue and Michigan State upcoming, Huskers could get on a roll.

11. Illinois (3-4, 1-3): Fighting Illini stun Maryland 27-24 on a last-play field goal.

12. Purdue (2-5, 1-3): Boilermakers fall to 1-4 at home with loss to Ohio State.

13. Michigan State (2-4, 0-3): Spartans drop to 0-4 under interim coach Harlon Bennett.

14. Indiana (2-4, 0-3): Four turnovers help fuel blowout loss to Michigan.

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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