Gophers' win over Iowa shakes up Big Ten power rankings

Iowa was climbing the Big Ten rankings until it lost 12-10 to the Gophers as the Hawkeyes' offense ground to an ugly halt. What was the impact on Randy Johnson's rankings?

October 25, 2023 at 2:45AM
Iowa wide receiver Diante Vines (0) tried making a catch against the Gophers’ Devon Williams (9) and Tyler Nubin (27) during Saturday’s game at Kinnick Stadium. (Matthew Putney, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Big Ten power rankings

1. Michigan (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten): Wolverines shrug off signal-stealing allegations, deliver 49-0 beatdown of rival Michigan State.

2. Ohio State (7-0, 4-0): Dominant Buckeyes defense didn't allow Penn State to convert a third down through 58 minutes of a 20-12 Ohio State victory.

3. Penn State (6-1, 3-1): Nittany Lions' next big chance comes Nov. 11 with visit from Michigan.

4. Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1): Badgers storm back from 18 points down in fourth quarter to beat Illinois 25-21 behind backup QB Braedyn Locke.

5. Rutgers (6-2, 3-2): Scarlet Knights gain bowl eligibility, are off to their best start since 2012 after beating Indiana 31-14.

6. Maryland (5-2, 2-2): Idle Terrapins travel to Northwestern before schedule stiffens with Penn State, Michigan.

7. Gophers (4-3, 2-2): By out-Iowa-ing Iowa to win Floyd of Rosedale, Gophers get themselves back in Big Ten West race. They'll need to go on a run to stay in it.

8. Iowa (6-2, 3-2): Offensive woes finally catch up to Hawkeyes in first loss to Gophers since 2014. Iowa ranks last nationally in total yards (232.4 per game).

9. Nebraska (4-3, 2-2): With 17-9 win over Northwestern, Huskers own a two-game Big Ten win streak with games against Purdue and Michigan State upcoming.

10. Northwestern (3-4, 1-3): Wildcats surrender eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss against Nebraska.

11. Purdue (2-5, 1-3): With upcoming games against Nebraska and the Gophers, the Boilermakers could play the spoiler in Big Ten West race.

12. Illinois (3-5, 1-4): Illini have lost three of four after blowing 18-point fourth-quarter lead against Wisconsin.

13. Indiana (2-5, 0-4): With loss to Rutgers, Hoosiers have dropped 11 of their past 12 Big Ten games.

14. Michigan State (2-5, 0-4): After seven-TD loss to Michigan, Spartans will face a Gophers squad that suffered a six-TD 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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