As it seems to always do, the 2023 college football season has flown by. There’s just one week to go in the regular season, and there’s still a lot up for grabs, namely the Big Ten East division crown with the titanic matchup between Ohio State and Michigan on Saturday.
The Buckeyes beat Minnesota handily, while the Wolverines survived an upset bid by Maryland in College Park. Those two teams have been on top of our power rankings almost all season, but there are many more story lines in the conference with Northwestern becoming bowl-eligible (surprise), Iowa nailing down the West division with little to no offense and bunch of others looking to still get another win to get bowl eligible.
After another week of action, we have a pretty good indication of what teams are in the top four. From there, it’s a mess — as it has been all season.
Here’s where are Big Ten football power rankings stand with one week to go in the regular season. Will it be Ohio State or Michigan?
14
Indiana Hoosiers (3-8, 1-7)
Why the Ranking
Indiana has been in and out of this spot throughout the season. Despite improved play, it can’t seem to make plays at the end to win games it has been in. There’s just one game to go in an otherwise disasterous season in Bloomington. Either Indiana or Purdue has to win next week.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 14 (⇔ no change)
Last Result: Lost vs. Michigan State, 24-21
Next Up … at Purdue
13
Purdue Boilermakers (2-6, 3-8)
Why the Ranking
Purdue showed signs of life at points this season, but more often than not it was a team that couldn’t score and couldn’t stop teams enough on the defensive end. In American football, I once read that’s not a good combination. Folks in West Lafayette have turned to hoops already and for good reason.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 12 (⇓ one spot)
Last Result: Lost at Northwestern, 23-15
Next Up … vs. Indiana
12
Michigan State Spartans (2-6, 4-7)
Why the Ranking
Michigan State was either really, really bad in some games or played games that could have gone either way. As bad a year as its been, the Spartans were a loss closer to a bowl team than what the record says. A win produces some positive momentum heading into a busy offseason.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 13 (⇑ one spot)
Last Result: Won at Indiana, 24-21
Next Up … vs. Penn State
11
Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-5, 5-6)
Why the Ranking
Three weeks ago Nebraska was on the doorstep of bowl-eligibility, just one game away from six wins. After the third loss in a row, this time to a Wisconsin team that was looking for the same postseason checklist, the Cornhuskers still need one more win. There’s just one more week to get there, and it will not be easy against West division winner, Iowa, Saturday.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 11 (⇔ no change)
Last Result: Lost at Wisconsin, 24-17
Next Up … vs. Iowa
10
Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-6, 3-5)
Why the Ranking
Minnesota looked about like what we expected against Ohio State. The Buckeyes controlled the game, running away in the second half and now P.J. Fleck’s crew still has to row that boat for one more win. It’s possible against a Wisconsin team that hasn’t been very good away from home. And, boy, could this young team use the extra practices.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 10 (⇔ no change)
Last Result: Lost at Ohio State, 37-3
Next Up … vs. Wisconsin
9
Wisconsin Badgers (6-5, 4-4)
Why the Ranking
Luke Fickell’s first year in Madison has definitely been a struggle with injuries and close losses. However, the Badgers at least are going bowling after securing their sixth win on Saturday at home in overtime against the Cornhuskers. Wisconsin is looking to build for the future. Getting through adversity this season and going to the postseason is a good start.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 9 (⇔ no change)
Last Result: Won vs. Nebraska, 24-17
Next Up … at Minnesota
8
Maryland Terrapins (6-5, 3-5)
Why the Ranking
Maryland hit a really rough patch after the Ohio State loss but has started to play a little better of late. The Terps put up a valiant effort against Michigan but came up just a bit short. This program is one that just can’t get over the hump and has lost five of its last six. Somehow Mike Locksley has to find a way to get wins within the Big Ten at a greater clip than he’s been able to do during his tenure.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 7 (⇓ one spot)
Last Result: Lost vs. Michigan, 31-24
Next Up … at Rutgers
7
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-5, 3-5)
Why the Ranking
It’s a feel good story for Rutgers to have enough wins to make it to the postseason this year, but there’s still plenty of room for the program to improve to start to compete with the big boys in the conference, as evidenced by the loss to Penn State. More depth and an upgrade in talent is still needed under Greg Schiano but it seems to be building slowly.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 6 (⇓ one spot)
Last Result: Lost at Penn State, 27-6
Next Up … vs. Maryland
6
Illinois Fighting Illini (5-6, 3-5)
Why the Ranking
Illinois lost a heartbreaker at Iowa but is still a much improved club that’s come off the mat to have a chance at the postseason. The Illini have won three of the last five and looked pretty good doing so. Now, to notch that last victory needed to go traveling for the holidays.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 5 (⇓ one spot)
Last Result: Lost at Iowa, 15-13
Next Up … vs. Northwestern
5
Northwestern Wildcats (6-5, 4-4)
Why the Ranking
This Northwestern team deserves a ton of credit. The off-the-field stuff seemed to spill over onto the field at the start of the season but the Wildcats just kept getting better every week. Suddenly, there’s a bowl at the end of the journey and a major rise in our power rankings from when they were No. 14. What an unbelievable story.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 8 (⇑ three spots)
Last Result: Won vs. Purdue, 23-15
Next Up … at Illinois
4
Iowa Hawkeyes (9-2, 6-2)
Why the Ranking
I don’t know how Iowa keeps winning every week in the fashion it does, but you have to respect the way the Hawkeyes just keep putting on the hard hat, grabbing the lunch pail and grinding out wins. Ladies and gentlemen, we now present to you the West division winner. Something tells me safeties, field goals and punts aren’t going to be enough to win in Indy.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 4 (⇔ no change)
Last Result: Won vs. Illinois, 15-13
Next Up … at NEbraska
3
Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-2)
Why the Ranking
We know exactly what Penn State is at this point in the season (insert PA lion roar). The Nittany Lions are far and away better than any other team in the Big Ten not named Ohio State or Michigan. The Nittany Lions are still pretty far away from being as talented as Ohio State and Michigan. Still, a win next week and there very well could be a trip to a New Year’s Six bowl.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 3 (⇔ no change)
Last Result: Won vs. Rutgers, 27-6
Next Up … at Michigan State
2
Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0)
Why the Ranking
Ohio State has been in this No. 2 spot for a few weeks now and seems to be getting better. The gap has diminished with Michigan, but has it closed? We’ll find out next week in what should be one whale of a game in Ann Arbor with the entire universe on the line.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 2 (⇔ no change)
Last Result: Won vs. Minnesota, 37-3
Next Up … at Michigan
1
Michigan Wolverines (11-0, 8-0)
Why the Ranking
Michigan looked beatable on Saturday on the road vs. Maryland. In fact, if the Terrapins didn’t shoot themselves in the foot so many times, we probably see an upset. However, almost every team has to come out the other side of a subpar matchup and maybe we can chalk it up to that. We’ll see if the off-the-field stuff and lack of a passing game the last couple of weeks will cause issues against Ohio State.
Last Week’s Power Ranking: 1 (⇔ no change)
Last Result Won at Maryland, 31-24
Next Up … vs. Ohio State
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