2024 Big Ten Football Week 10 Power Rankings: Golden Gophers and Trojans Surge
Latest Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon Leads Playoff Tier, USC and Minnesota Climb
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This week’s power rankings have no movement in the Top 9. Minnesota jumps up three spots, and USC jumps up four spots after both teams pick up solid conference wins.
All eyes are on Penn State vs. Ohio State this weekend. A Buckeyes’ loss would put them on the outside looking in, while a win would make this a three-team race for two spots in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Tier 1 - College Football Playoff Contenders
1. Oregon (8-0, 5-0)
Trend: -
AP Ranking: No. 1
Last week: 38-9 win vs. No. 20 Illinois
This week: at Michigan
If Oregon wins out, is the Heisman coming to Eugene? Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel completed 18-of-26 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns in the blowout win over Illinois.
2. Penn State (7-0, 4-0)
Trend: -
AP Ranking: No. 3
Last week: 28-13 win at Wisconsin
This week: vs. No. 4 Ohio State
I had Penn State on upset alert against Wisconsin, and that pick wasn’t looking bad after Wisconsin held a 10-7 lead at the half. But Penn State, behind the efforts of its backup quarterback Beau Pribula surged in the second half to keep Penn State’s perfect season alive.
3. Ohio State (6-1, 3-1)
Trend: -
AP Ranking: No. 4
Last week: 21-17 win vs. Nebraska
This week: at No. 3 Penn State
Ohio State’s win over Nebraska wasn’t pretty, with the Cornhuskers momentarily seizing the lead in the fourth quarter against the Buckeyes. At this point of the season, it’s survive and advance.
4. Indiana (8-0, 5-0)
Trend: -
AP Ranking: No. 13
Last week: 31-17 win vs. Washington
This week: at Michigan State
I thought Washington would pose a bigger threat to Indiana. The Hoosiers could prove they could win with a backup quarterback by leaning on its run game. Justice Ellison ripped off 129 yards and a touchdown in the win.
Tier 2 - Outside, Looking In
5. Illinois (6-2, 3-2)
Trend: -
AP Ranking: No. 24
Last week: 38-9 loss at No. 1 Oregon
This week: vs. Minnesota
Illinois’ schedule gets progressively easier in its final four games. They are likely out of CFP contention with two losses, but it’s an interesting thought experiment to see how high a two-loss Big Ten team is ranked at the end of the season.
Tier 3 - Bowl Bound
6. Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2)
Trend: -
Last week: 28-13 loss vs. No. 3 Penn State
This week: at Iowa
After its loss to Wisconsin is now 0-3 against ranked teams. The Badgers seem to be perfectly mediocre.
7. Nebraska (5-3, 2-3)
Trend: -
Last week: 21-17 loss at No. 4 Ohio State
This week: vs. UCLA
Credit to Nebraska who played a competitive game against Ohio State. Like Wisconsin, the Cornhuskers are 0-3 against ranked teams. Their last four games are against unranked opponents.
8. Iowa (5-3, 3-2)
Trend: -
Last week: 40-14 win vs. Northwestern
This week: BYE
Just another day in the office for Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson — three touchdowns and 109 rushing yards against Northwestern. His 16 touchdowns are the fourth-most in the country.
9. Michigan (5-3, 3-2)
Trend: -
Last week: 24-17 win vs. Michigan State
This week: vs. No. 1 Oregon
Michigan gets back in the win column against rival Michigan State. Do they have a fighting chance against Oregon this week?
10. Minnesota (5-3, 3-2)
Trend: +3
Last week: 48-23 win vs. Maryland
This week: at No. 24 Illinois
Make that three straight wins for the Golden Gophers. Quarterback Max Brosmer tossed a season-high four touchdowns for Minnesota in its win against Maryland.
11. USC (4-4, 2-4)
Trend: +4
Last week: 42-20 win vs. Rutgers
This week: at Washington
It’s hard to know which USC team will show up from week to week. Winning at Washington won’t be an easy task. The Trojans are in danger of falling under .500.
12. Rutgers (4-4, 1-4)
Trend: -2
Last week: 42-20 loss to USC
This week: BYE
Rutgers’ losing streak reached four games after losing last Friday to the Trojans. They get a much-needed bye this week as they enter the final stretch of their season.
13. Washington (4-4, 2-3)
Trend: -2
Last week: 31-17 loss at No. 13 Indiana
This week: vs. USC
No more 9 a.m. PT road games left! The travel schedule eases up a bit, with two home games, a road game at Penn State, and a road game in Eugene remaining. Can the Huskies get to six wins?
Tier 4 - Bottom 5
14. Michigan State (4-4, 2-3)
Trend: -1
Last week: 24-17 loss at Michigan
This week: vs. No. 13 Indiana
The Spartans’ turnaround under Jonathan Smith is ahead of schedule. Despite losing to Michigan, the Spartans still played a respectable game against their rival.
15. Maryland (4-4, 1-4)
Trend: -1
Last week: 43-28 loss at Minnesota
This week: BYE
After its loss to Minnesota, Maryland has now dropped three of its last four games. At least one writer thinks that head coach Mike Locksley’s seat is getting warm.
16. Northwestern (3-5, 1-4)
Trend: -
Last week: 40-14 loss at Iowa
This week: at Purdue
At the half, Northwestern was only down 10-7 to Iowa, but then the Hawkeyes exploded for 28 unanswered points in the third quarter. The Wildcats have one of the worst offenses in the country.
17. UCLA (2-5, 1-4)
Trend: -
Last week: BYE
This week: vs. Nebraska
Can UCLA continue its momentum after finally getting its first Big Ten win against Rutgers two weeks ago?
18. Purdue (1-6, 0-4)
Trend: -
Last week: BYE
This week: vs. Northwestern
Purdue has a chance to climb out of the gutter of the Big Ten with a home game against lowly Northwestern this weekend.