2024 Big Ten Football Week 5 Power Rankings: Michigan improves CFP resume, Penn State and Illinois set for Marquee Game

Latest Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Oregon and Michigan Rise, Penn State vs. Illinois Clash Highlights Week 5, Washington Stays Steady

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Oregon and Michigan move up my Big Ten football power rankings after Michigan’s impressive win over USC. No. 9 Penn State against No. 19 Illinois is the game of the week. The Washington Huskies stay steady after their win against Northwestern.

Tier 1 - College Football Playoff Contenders

1. Ohio State (3-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 3

Last week: 49-14 win vs. Marshall

This week: at Michigan State

Ohio State’s first Big Ten conference game is on the road against a respectable Michigan State team.

2. Penn State (3-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 9

Last week: 56-0 win vs. Kent State

This week: vs. No. 19 Illinois

Penn State opens up its conference slate against their stiffest challenge yet in undefeated No. 19 Illinois.

3. Oregon (3-0)

Trend: +1

AP Ranking: No. 8

Last week: BYE

This week: at UCLA

The Ducks had an extra week to prep for a familiar foe in UCLA. This one will be a blowout in favor of Oregon.

4. Michigan (2-1)

Trend: +1

AP Ranking: No. 12

Last week: 27-24 win vs. No. 13 USC

This week: vs. Minnesota

Michigan may have questions at quarterback, but their run game is alive and well. The Wolverines tallied 290 rushing yards on 46 carries. Quarterback Alex Orji completed 7-of-12 passes for 32 yards. Asked about beating USC with only 32 passing yards, Michigan Head Coach Sherrone Moore said, “I love it. It's my dream.”

5. USC (2-1)

Trend: -2

AP Ranking: No. 13

Last week: 27-24 loss to No. 12 Michigan

This week: vs. Wisconsin

Whether the Trojans can stay in the CFP race will potentially depend on improving their offensive line play. Per Pro Football Focus, the USC offense finished with a dismal 30.8 pass blocking grade against Michigan, good for fourth-worst in the country.

6. Illinois (4-0)

Trend: +1

AP Ranking: No. 19

Last week: 31-24 win vs. Nebraska

This week: at No. 9 Penn State

Illinois now boasts two wins against teams ranked in the Top 25. It’s the only Big Ten team that has that sort of resume heading into Week 5. Penn State vs. Illinois is the Big Ten game to watch this week.

Tier 2 - Outside, Looking In

7. Nebraska (3-1)

Trend: -1

Last week: 31-24 loss vs. No. 19 Illinois

This week: at Purdue

The Huskers’ appearance in the Top 25 is brief. After the overtime loss to Illinois, Nebraska is now 1-6 in one-score games under head coach Matt Rhule.

8. Iowa (2-1)

Trend: -

Last week: 31-14 win vs. Minnesota

This week: BYE

Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson had a monster day in Iowa’s win against Minnesota. Johnson gained 206 yards on 21 carries and scored three touchdowns.

Tier 3 - Bowl Bound

9. Rutgers (3-0)

Trend: -

Last week: 26-23 win vs. Virginia Tech

This week: vs. Washington

Rutgers held off a 16-point fourth quarter from Virginia Tech to escape their non-conference slate with an unblemished 3-0 record.

10. Indiana (4-0)

Trend: +1

Last week: 52-14 win vs. Charlotte

This week: vs. Maryland

The Hoosiers are rolling. Six different players scored rushing touchdowns for Indiana in its blowout win against Charlotte. Everything indicates that the Hoosiers will roll to another victory over Maryland this weekend.

11. Michigan State (3-1)

Trend: -1

Last week: 23-19 loss at Boston College

This week: Ohio State

Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles threw three interceptions in Michigan State’s loss. Things don’t get easier for him this weekend against a strong Ohio State defense.

12. Washington (2-1)

Trend: -

Last week: 24-5 win vs. Northwestern

Huskies Dominate Northwestern: Washington's Defensive Wall Key to Huskies' Big Ten Opening Win

This week: at Rutgers

Washington knows Rutgers is going to run the ball behind Kyle Monangai, will the Husky defense step up?

13. Wisconsin (2-1)

Trend: -

Last week: BYE

This week: at No. 13 USC

How will new Badgers starting quarterback Bradyn Locke fare in a potential hostile environment against an a USC team looking to bounce back from a tough road loss?

Tier 4 - Bottom 5

14. Maryland (3-1)

Trend: -

Last week: 38-20 win vs. Villanova

This week: at Indiana

Pro Football Focus had Maryland quarterback Billy-Edwards as the fourth-highest graded quarterback in the country last weekend. Edwards was 28-for-32 with 258 yards and a touchdown last week.

15. UCLA (1-2)

Trend: -1

Last week: 34-17 loss to No. 14 LSU

This week: vs. No. 8 Oregon

The Bruins host Oregon on Saturday for a classic Pac-12 Big Ten matchup at the Rose Bowl.

16. Purdue (1-2)

Trend: -1

Last week: 38-21 loss at Oregon State

This week: vs. Nebraska

Turnovers killed the Boilermakers last week on the road. A botched exchange between Purdue quarterback Hudson Card and running back Devin Mockobee gave the Beavers the ball in Purdue’s red zone, and later Card threw a pick six to the Beavers.

17. Northwestern (2-2)

Trend: -

Last week: 24-5 loss to Washington

This week: BYE

Is Northwestern the worst team in the Big Ten? I’m still thinking about the insane coaching decision to settle for a field goal at Washington’s one-yard line while down 15 points.

18. Minnesota (2-2)

Trend: -

Last week: 31-14 loss to Iowa

This week: at No. 12 Michigan

Minnesota’s defense will have to deal with another run-heavy attack against Michigan after having to deal with Iowa last week.