Badgers, Hawkeyes bunched up in Big Ten power rankings ahead of matchup

Randy Johnson has a new No. 1 in his weekly Big Ten power rankings. Wisconsin and Iowa, meanwhile, battle for a spot in the top five.

October 9, 2023 at 7:17PM
Wisconsin cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown against Rutgers on Saturday in Madison. (Andy Manis, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Big Ten power rankings

1. Michigan (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten): Wolverines have outscored opponents 224-40 after 52-10 romp over Gophers.

2. Ohio State (5-0, 2-0): Buckeyes beat Maryland by 20, but offensive line issues leave them vulnerable.

3. Penn State (5-0, 3-0): Idle last weekend, Nittany Lions face UMass in tuneup for Oct. 21 showdown at Ohio State.

4. Maryland (5-1, 2-1): Taulia Tagovailoa's two interceptions, one for a pick-six, doom Terps in 37-17 loss at Ohio State.

5. Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0): Ricardo Hallman's 95-yard interception return for TD swings game Badgers' way in 24-13 win over Rutgers.

6. Iowa (5-1, 2-1): Hawkeyes' defense collects 10 sacks, two interceptions in 20-14 win over Purdue, with a trip to Wisconsin next.

7. Rutgers (4-2, 1-2): Slow start sinks Scarlet Knights in loss to Wisconsin.

8. Northwestern (3-3, 1-2): Wildcats hold on for 23-20 win over FCS-level Howard.

9. Gophers (3-3, 1-2): Bye week comes at perfect time for Gophers after 42-point loss to Michigan.

10. Nebraska (3-3, 1-2): After 20-7 win at Illinois, Huskers have a clear path to bowl eligibility.

11. Purdue (2-4, 1-2): Boilermakers amass 343 yards against Iowa, but Hudson Card's two interceptions were costly.

12. Illinois (2-4, 0-3): Fighting Illini averaged 1.1 yards per rush in loss to Nebraska.

13. Indiana (2-3, 0-2): Hoosiers were idle, visit Michigan and Penn State over next three weeks.

14. Michigan State (2-3, 0-2): Coming off bye week, Spartans travel to Rutgers in hopes of ending three-game skid.

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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