After a long offseason, Week 1 is finally in the books for college football, and that means we got a look at the product on the field instead of listening and guessing how good the teams are. Still, one week does not make a season because the teams we see now will be entirely different than what we see at the end of the year, and even towards the middle of the season.
But hey, we have something to go by now, so that means we can kick off our weekly tradition of trying to rank all of the Big Ten football teams based on how each is playing at the moment. It’s not a look at where we believe teams should be, or even where they will be, but rather, who is playing the best (and worst) at this point in time.
It’s our weekly Big Ten football power rankings, and we’re kicking it off after a solid weekend from the conference, in which all but two teams won (thanks, Northwestern and UCLA). Ohio State got by No. 1 Texas for the biggest statement win of the week, while teams like Penn State, Oregon, and Michigan all showed us moments for us to believe they’ll factor into things in some way.
Here’s a look at our Week 1 Big Ten football power rankings. We start from No. 18 and make our way down to No. 1.
Last Game Result: Lost 23-3 at Tulane
Next Game: vs. Western Illinois
What goes into the ranking
Other than the fact that the Wildcats were one of only two teams in the conference to lose this weekend? That’s one thing, but to look totally hapless on offense is another. The name of the school might have two directions in it, but I’m not sure if anyone knows which where this team is going.
Last Game Result: Lost 43-10 vs. Utah
Next Game: vs. Western Illinois
What goes into the ranking
Transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava was supposed to make a huge difference in turning around the fortunes of UCLA, but after getting trounced by Utah over the weekend, there’s clearly some work to do on both sides of the ball.
No. 16 – Purdue Boilermakers
Last Game Result: Won 31-0 vs. Ball State
Next Game: vs. Southern Illinois
What goes into the ranking
Purdue looked good in its home opener, but the competition wasn’t that great. It won’t be very good either next game, and this is most likely a program still in transition. We’ll know more when the Boilermakers play USC in a couple of weeks.
N0. 15 – Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last Game Result: Won 34-30 vs. Ohio
Next Game: vs. Miami (OH)
What goes into the ranking
Rutgers needed to hang on to be a MAC opponent at home, and it was the defense that looked very suspect, surrendering 440 yards. That will need to change in a hurry because there are going to be plenty of teams with a lot more skill coming up. Maybe it won’t be a problem next week, but it sure will just a wee bit down the road.
No. 14 – Maryland Terrapins
Last Game Result: Won 39-7 vs. Florida Atlantic
Next Game: vs. Northern Illinois
What goes into the ranking
Fool’s gold. Maryland looked really good on offense, but that was against an inferior opponent. The ‘Terps will get another shot to do the same thing next week, but at some point, they’ll have to get into Big Ten play and that’s been a problem in the past, and likely will be again this season. Prove me wrong.
Last Game Result: Won 17-0 vs. Miami (OH)
Next Game: vs. Middle Tennessee
What goes into the ranking
The defense looked fantastic against a MAC opponent, but we still need to see more from the offense. We’ll see how that all goes with Billy O’Neil having to step in after the injury to starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. Sometimes it’s really difficult to know where a team is early on in the year, and that’s the case with the Badgers for sure.
Last Game Result: Won 23-6 vs. Western Michigan
Next Game: vs. Boston College
What goes into the ranking
Michigan State used a run-oriented, ball-control offense to do what it needed in order to come out on top in what sure seems like a week for a Big Ten/MAC challenge. That won’t get it done going forward against more explosive offenses, and that might start next week against a tricky matchup with Boston College.
Last Game Result: Won 38-21 vs. Colorado State
Next Game: vs. UC Davis
What goes into the ranking
The end result was good with the offense putting up some impressive numbers, but the game was too close for far too long against an opponent that the Huskies should have put away sooner. There needs to be a better killer instinct. There’s a chance to work on that next week against even weaker competition.
No. 10 – Indiana Hoosiers
Last Game Result: Won 27-14 vs. Old Dominion
Next Game: vs. Kennesaw State
What goes into the ranking
It’s only one week, but it wasn’t the most inspiring performance against a team the Hoosiers would have wiped the floor with last year. The offense seems to be a work in progress with a less dynamic ability to get things done through the air, at least after one game. There’s time to hone that aspect of the game, and we should see plenty of chances against next week’s opponent.
No. 9 – Minnesota Golden Gophers
Last Game Result: Won 23-10 vs. Buffalo
Next Game: vs. Northwestern State
What goes into the ranking
It was a prototypical P.J. Fleck-type of win for Minnesota. The offense was balanced and the defense solid en route to a ho-hum win. The Golden Gophers should be able to use the same recipe next week, but there’s always been the question of explosive playmakers against the best teams in the league. That’s unlikely to change in 2025.
Last Game Result: Won 20-17 vs. Cincinnati
Next Game: vs. Akron
What goes into the ranking
The defense looked great, but the offense struggled with consistency and kept the game close all the way throughout. Quarterback Dylan Raiola is talented, but he still hasn’t reached his full potential, and he can’t win against the best teams without more weapons around him ready to fire away.
Last Game Result: Won 34-7 vs. UAlbany
Next Game: at Iowa State
What goes into the ranking
It was a very Iowa win. The offense couldn’t throw the ball, so the Hawkeyes leaned on the running game heavily. The defense was its usual, solid unit, but without the ability to sling the ball down the field a little, it’s going to be hard to be a real contender in the Big Ten. It just feels like another Iowa-type year in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes better find more balance against a good Iowa State team next week.
Last Game Result: Won 52-3 vs. Western Illinois
Next Game: at Duke
What goes into the ranking
I’m not quite sold on Illinois being a Big Ten and College Football Playoff contender, but maybe I’ll be proven wrong. Yeah, it was an impressive win, but what do we really know about Bret Bielema’s crew after playing a team it should have handled easily anyhow. Have a good showing in Durham next week, and maybe I’ll change my mind.
Last Game Result: Won 34-17 vs. New Mexico
Next Game: at Oklahoma
What goes into the ranking
The offense moved the ball, but there will likely be some growing pains as new Michigan starter Bryce Underwood gets his feet wet as a true freshman. The running game was great, and the defense was solid, not great. We’ll know more about what this roster can do next week when the Wolverines travel to Norman to play Oklahoma.
Last Game Result: Won 73-13 vs. Missouri State
Next Game: vs. Georgia Southern
What goes into the ranking
I don’t care who you play; putting up 73 points is difficult to do, and there’s no doubt it turned some heads. Both sides of the ball were dominant, and you know the Trojans always have talent on the roster. Is this the year Lincoln Riley puts it together? We’re likely to see another video game score next week against Georgia Southern to make us believe so.
Last Game Result: Won 59-13 vs. Montana State
Next Game: vs. Oklahoma State
What goes into the ranking
Yes, Oregon looked like it should against a less-than-stellar opponent, which is more than what I can say for others. Let’s call it what it was, a tune-up to bigger things to come. The Ducks will go as far as starting quarterback Donte Moore can take them. Next week shouldn’t be a problem either, and we’re all waiting for that game at Penn State on Sept. 27.
Last Game Result: Won 46-11 vs. Nevada
Next Game: vs. Florida International
What went into the ranking
Yes, Penn State looked the part, and you could very easily make an argument for a No. 1 spot here, but we have to give credit for what teams did against the opponent, and the Nittany Lions beat up on a team that was just happy to get a payday for coming to Happy Valley. There are much bigger fish to fry and a lot loftier expectations going forward. We’ll probably see something similar next week.
No. 1 – Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Game Result: Won 14-7 vs. Texas
Next Game: vs. Gramblin
What went into the ranking
The opponent was ranked No. 1, so we have to give Ohio State a ton of credit for playing well enough to win against such a quality opponent — or so we think. The defense looked like it’s going to be one of the best in the country, and while the offense is clearly still finding its groove, there are signs there that it will get its act together before too long. The Buckeyes can exhale a bit now, next week when they welcome Grambling to the ‘Shoe.
