2024 B1G Power Rankings - Week 4

 Week 4 has wrapped in the B1G.  It wasn't a great week, as the conference went 5-3 in nonconference games, losing all 3 of 4 road games.  Rutgers had a nice road win over Virginia Tech.  There are only conference gams until week 14.  

The week 5 slate features eight conference matchups.  Iowa and Northwestern are off this week.  Things get started Friday night, as 4-0 Rutgers welcomes Washington for a cross-country B1G conference game.  The game of the weekend appears to be Penn State hosting Illinois on Saturday night

The week 4 B1G 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.  

1. Ohio State (3-0) - The Buckeyes rolled Marshall.  The non-conference scheduled was pitiful, some Ohio State's fault, some not.  Now it's time for B1G play.  Are they a top team in the country?  Probably, but we'll find out starting this weekend in East Lansing.  The defense should be able to pressure Aiden Chiles enough to create turnovers and set up the offense.  

2. Penn State (3-0) - They throttled Kent State in week 4 and host undefeated Illinois this Saturday night, which should be a good test.  

3. Illinois (4-0) - The Illini had a great OT win in Lincoln Friday night, scoring late to force OT, then dominating in the overtime.  They travel to Happy Valley Saturday night.  The drive for six is fully on in Champaign!  They can/should get to 8 wins.  

4. Oregon (3-0) - The Ducks travel to UCLA in a "PAC12 After Dark" game Saturday night.  

5. Rutgers (3-0) - The Scarlet Knights traveled to Virginia Tech and came away with a win to improve to 3-0.  They host Washington this Friday night to open B1G play.  

6. Indiana (4-0) - The Hoosiers beat up on Charlotte and host Maryland this week.  The train should keep running.  Let's see how this week goes, but we could seriously be talking about a 9-0 Indiana hosting Michigan in November.  

7. Michigan (3-1) - Is Michigan back?  The run game came to play against USC as they ran for 300 yards.  Alex Orji wasn't the answer at QB, as he only mustered 32 yards in the air.  They host Minnesota this week and will look to pound the ball again.    

8. Iowa (3-1) - The Iowa of old beat Minnesota 31-14, behind Kaleb Johnson's 200+ effort on the ground.  They are off this week before traveling to Columbus next weekend.  

9. USC (2-1) - The Trojans hung tough in Ann Arbor for most of the game, but the old Trojan defense showed up at the worst possible time, allowing Michigan to score a winning touchdown on a 10 play, 89 yard drive, 79 of it on the ground.  They look to rebound, with Wisconsin coming to LA this weekend.  

10. Nebraska (3-1) - Nebraska lost to Illinois on Friday night in overtime.  After allowing the Illini to tie it up and force OT, Illinois immediately scored.  Nebraska then had the worst overtime possession, featuring multiple penalties and sacks.  They look to get back in the win column as they travel to Purdue this weekend.  

11. Michigan State (3-1) - The Spartans lost at Boston College, 23-19 on Saturday night.  Aiden Chiles continued to struggle, completing under 50% of his passes with 3 INT's.  They welcome the Buckeyes to East Lansing on Saturday night in a Cock Exclusive showdown.  

12. Washington (3-1) - The Huskies defeated Northwestern 24-5, a nice win in their first B1G conference game.  Things get a bit tougher this week as they travel cross-country to Rutgers for a Friday night battle.  It will be a challenge, as Rutgers will look to pound the ball. 

13. Wisconsin (2-1) - The Badgers were off and travel to USC this week.  Maybe they can catch the Trojans in a let down spot after losing to Michigan.  

14. Minnesota (2-2) - The Gophers were beaten by Iowa 31-14.  Iowa ran it down their throats for 272 yards.  They travel to this Big House this week, so expect more the same.  

15. Maryland (3-1) - The Terrapins beat FCS Villanova in week 4.  They travel to Indiana this week to open up B1G play.  

16. Northwestern (2-2) - The Wildcats managed to score 5 points in Seattle against Washington.  They are off this week before hosting Indiana at the Lake Michigan facility next week.

17. UCLA (1-2) - The Bruins are a still a very bad football team, though they hung with LSU for a half, before losing 34-17.  They host Oregon, and go to Penn State the next two week.  This could end up being an 1-11 inaugural B1G season.

18. Purdue (1-2) - The Boilermakers were soundly beaten by Oregon State.  They travel to Nebraska this week looking for their first B1G win.  It could be a long and last season for Ryan Walters.