Week 2 has wrapped up in the B1G. The conference finished 12-4 on the week, with one conference game. Maryland fell to Michigan State on a last second field goal. Northwestern lost in OT to Duke Friday night, Texas stomped Michigan, Iowa blew a lead to Iowa State, and Oregon struggled at home before hanging on against Boise State. The highlight of the weekend was Illinois holding off Kansas in Champaign and Nebraska manhandling Colorado.
The week 3 slate features a few good matchups, as UCLA hosts Indiana in B1G play. Oregon battles Oregon State in the Civil War, Washington and Washington State square off in the Apple Cup, Purdue welcomes a disappointing Notre Dame squad and Wisconsin hosts Alabama in Madison.
The week 2B1G Power Rankings are below. These are based strictly on on-field performance relative to the competition and is not a projection of things to come.
2. Ohio State (2-0) - The Buckeyes shut out out Western Michigan, who gave Wisconsin fits in week 1. First week kinks seem to be worked out. The rushing attack was much more effective and defense pitched their first shutout since 2019. The Bucks are off next week and then face Marshall before getting in to B1G play. Time will tell for the Bucks, but the path looks pretty manageable with their three toughest tests all losing/struggling in week 2.
3. Illinois (2-0) - The Illini had a great win in week 2, defeating Kansas in Champaign. They welcome Central Michigan in week 3 before back-to-back road trips to Lincoln and State College. The drive to six is on, but may feature some roadblocks soon.
4. Nebraska (2-0) - The Huskers throttled a probably not very good Colorado team on Saturday night. The red balloons were released early and there's a lot to be excited about for the first time in a while. A Friday night matchup against Illinois looms in a couple of weeks.
5. Penn State (2-0) - A week after dominating West Virginia, they struggled against Bowling Green, trailing at the half before finally taking the lead in the third quarter and holding on down the stretch. The Lions had no trouble moving the ball, with Singleton and Allen both eclipsing 100 yards on the ground. The defense struggled in the first half before settling down.
6. Rutgers (2-0) - Rutgers is a wagon. Kyle Monangai rushed for 208 yards, proving he's one of the best RB's in college football. They have the week off before traveling to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech in week 4.
7. Indiana (2-0) - The Hoosiers blew out Western Illinois to start off the Curt Cignetti era on a good foot. They travel to UCLA this week to start B1G play and have a great opportunity to start the season 3-0.
8. Washington (2-0) - The Huskies are off to a 2-0 start in the Jedd Fisch era defeating Eastern Michigan. Will Rogers looked good, passing for four touchdowns. They face Washington State in the Apple Cup this week before starting B1G play.
9. Wisconsin (2-0) - Wisconsin held off South Dakota, pulling away in the 4th quarter. That's two mediocre wins against inferior opponents. Alabama comes to Madison in week 3 it may not end well for the Badgers.
10. Michigan State (2-0) - The Spartans traveled to Maryland and notched the conferences first B1G win of the season. Aiden Chiles improved from his week 1 performance to lead Sparty.
11. Oregon (2-0) - The Ducks struggled for the 2nd straight week, overcoming a late deficit to hold off Boise State 37-34 after a controversial kick return touchdown that tied it up in the 4th quarter before winning on a last second field goal. The offensive line looked weak again. That doesn't bode well for the B1G defensive lines. They travel to Oregon State in a rivalry game in week 3 before starting B1G play.
12. Purdue (1-0) - The Boilermakers were off in week 2. Notre Dame comes to West Lafayette in week 3 and it looks to be a competitive game as the Irish are coming off a loss to Northern Illinois.
13. Minnesota (1-1) - The Gophers found their way in to the win column with a shutout of Rhode Island. They host Nevada in week 3 before starting B1G play against Iowa in week 4.
14. Northwestern (1-1) - The Wildcats fell to Duke Friday night at the lakefront stadium in Evanston. They held the lead for the bulk of the game before falling in double overtime to a good Duke team. They've now lost six in a row to the Blue Devils. They have a get right game against Eastern Illinois in week 3 before traveling to Seattle to face Washington.
15. Iowa (1-1) - The Hawkeyes lost to rival Iowa State at home. Kirk Ferentz came back from a one game suspension and committed coaching malpractice. They never should have lost this game. Same 'ol Iowa is back as Cade McNamara failed to eclipse 100 yards through the air.
16. Michigan (1-1) - The Wolverines were outclassed, outplayed, overmatched and outright demolished by Texas in Ann Arbor. Things could have been much worse than 31-12. The defense was ok, and will keep them in games going forward, but the honeymoon is over.
17. UCLA (1-0) - The Bruins were off in week 2. They host Indiana to open their B1G season this week. A trip to Baton Rouge is ahead in week 4.
18. Maryland (1-1) - The Terrapins lost at home as touchdown favorites to Michigan State. They travel to Virginia in week 3. I'm afraid that this is the first of many losses ahead.
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