1. Ohio State (1-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Big Ten Power Rankings: Wisconsin stumbles, Northwestern tumbles, Maryland impresses
Ohio State, Iowa and Penn State hold down the top three spots in Randy Johnson's latest Big Ten football rankings.
September 9, 2021 at 6:52PM
Big plays in the second half against the Gophers fueled the Buckeyes, who kept the heat off freshman QB. How No. 3 OSU fares against No. 12 Oregon will be telling, both in Columbus and Minneapolis.
2. Iowa (1-0, 1-0)
The No. 10 Hawkeyes might have had the most impressive debut of any Big Ten team, hammering Indiana 34-6 in Iowa City. Another big test comes Saturday at No. 9 Iowa State.
3. Penn State (1-0, 1-0)
The Nittany Lions defense impressed in Madison, withstanding 95 offensive plays by the Badgers and holding them to 3.8 yards per play. PSU gets Ball State before a huge matchup with Auburn.
4. Michigan (1-0)
The Wolverines rushed for 334 yards in a rout of Western Michigan. Now, they'll face a Washington team that just lost to FCS-level Montana.
5. Michigan State (1-0, 1-0)
Kenneth Walker III, a transfer from Wake Forest, gashed Northwestern for 264 yards and four TDs on 23 carries. Expect another big day against FCS opponent Youngstown State.
6. Wisconsin (0-1, 0-1)
QB Graham Mertz threw two fourth-quarter picks that doomed the Badgers against Penn State. Wisconsin will need him to improve quickly to meet the program's expectations.
7. Gophers (0-1, 0-1)
The good: Leads at halftime and in the third quarter against Ohio State. The bad: The big plays allowed in the second half and Mohamed Ibrahim's season-ending injury.
8. Maryland (1-0)
The Terrapins rolled up 495 yards of offense in a 30-24 win over West Virginia. If Taulia Tagovailoa (26-for-36, 332 yards) remains this accurate, Maryland will be a handful.
9. Purdue (1-0)
Jack Plummer can sling it — 332 yards, three TDs in a win over Oregon State.
10. Illinois (1-1, 1-0)
The good feelings from the opening win over Nebraska gave way to an Illini defense that couldn't stop Texas-San Antonio in a 37-30 loss. A trip to Virginia awaits.
11. Indiana (0-1, 0-1)
Michael Penix Jr. threw three interceptions, including two pick-sixes, against Iowa. Idaho should be less of a challenge this week.
12. Rutgers (1-0)
Scarlet Knights hung 61 points on Temple. A trip to Syracuse should provide a better gauge.
13. Nebraska (1-1, 0-1)
Huskers shouldn't sleep on a Buffalo team that's been to three consecutive bowl games.
14. Northwestern (0-1, 0-1)
The Wildcats gave up a 75-yard TD run on the game's first play against Michigan State. There's nowhere to go but up.
Sam Rinzel had two of the Gophers’ three power play goals against the Irish.
