2024 B1G Power Rankings - Week 5

Week 5 has wrapped in the B1G.  The Vegas favorites went 8-0 straight up.  Rutgers remained unbeaten and held off Washington on Friday night, thanks to three missed field goals and being outplayed on the stat sheet.  Conference favorites Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon all managed to win convincingly.  USC, Nebraska, and Michigan stayed within striking distance.  Indiana moved to 5-0 for the first time since 1967! 

The week 6 slate features eight conference matchups.  Illinois and Maryland are off this week.  Things get started Friday night, as 4-0 Oregon welcomes Michigan State for a cross-country B1G conference game.  The game of the weekend appears to be Rutgers at Nebraska on Saturday.  Can Rutgers start 5-0?

The week 5 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 (4-0) - The Buckeyes pulled away from Sparty after a 7-7 1st quarter tie to win 38-7.  The defense created havoc for Aiden Chiles, creating three turnovers.  JJ Smith continued his dominant freshman season. They welcome Iowa to the 'Shoe this weekend.  

2. Penn State (4-0) - They held off a pesky Illinois team Saturday night in Happy Valley.  They welcome a hapless UCLA squad this weekend before a showdown against USC October 12th.

3. Oregon (4-0) - The Ducks beat UCLA handily and welcome Sparty to Eugene Friday night.    

4. Indiana (5-0) - The Hoosiers are 5-0 for the first time since 1967 after beating Maryland 42-28.  The 1967 won their first five by an average margin of 20-14.  This years team is wining 49-13! Windiana heads to Northwestern looking to get to 6-0 this week. 

5. Rutgers (4-0) - They moved to 4-0 after beating Washington on Friday night.  It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win.  They travel to Nebraska this weekend looking to keep the magic alive.

6. Michigan (4-1) - It's becoming a thing.  The Wolverines led 24-3 after three quarters, only to let Minnesota score three TD's in the 4th quarter.  After a questionable offside call on the onside kick, they were able to hold on 27-24.  Michigan finally leaves the Big House as they travel to Washington in a title* game rematch.

7. Iowa (3-1) - The Hawkeyes were off in week 5 and travel to Columbus this weekend.  

8. USC (3-1) - The Trojans beat Wisconsin to move to 3-1.  Miller Moss threw for 300+ yards and three TD's against the Badgers.  They welcome Minnesota to the Coliseum this weekend.

9. Illinois (4-1) - The Illini fell at Penn State Saturday night.  They only managed 34 yards rushing and couldn't get anything going in the 2nd half.  They are off this week and host Purdue in week 7.

10. Nebraska (4-1) - The Huskers got on the board late in the 3rd quarter, taking a 7-3 at Purdue.  They were able to pull away with three more TD's in the 4th quarter.  They host Rutgers this weekend in a battle of B1G upstarts.  

11. Washington (3-2) - Despite dominating the stat sheet, the Huskies fell at Rutgers, 21-18 on Friday night.  Kicker Grady Gross missed three field goals, including a 55-yard attempt as time expired.  The Huskies host Michigan this week in a national championship* rematch.

12. Michigan State (3-2) - The Spartans lost at home to Ohio State 38-7.  They ran for less than 50 yards against the Bucks and struggled to stop the vaunted Buckeye offense.  They travel to Oregon on Friday night this week.

13. Minnesota (2-3) - The Gophers lost at the Big House.  It looked like they were out of, down 24-3 going to the 4th quarter.  Three touchdowns cut the lead to 27-24.  After a questionable offsides penalty on the onside kick, Michigan was able to run out the clock and retain the Little Brown Jug.  The Gophers host USC this weekend.    

14. Maryland (3-2) - The Terrapins lost at Indiana 42-28.  Billy Edwards looked good again with three TD's, but the defense struggled to contain the Indiana offense.  They are off this week before hosting Northwestern next Friday.

15. Wisconsin (2-2) - The Badgers lost at USC 38-21.  The modern offense isn't working for the Badgers.  Time may be short for Phil Longo as OC.  The Badgers host Purdue this week in a get right opportunity.  

16. Northwestern (2-2) - The Wildcats host Indiana at the Lake Michigan facility this week.  Can they updend the 5-0 Hoosiers?

17. UCLA (1-3) - Oregon traveled to the Rose Bowl and soundly beat the Bruins.  Now they're in for a cross-country trip to Happy Valley.  Is there a B1G win on this schedule?

18. Purdue (1-3) - The Boilermakers were leading Nebraska 3-0 in to the 3rd quarter.  The Huskers pulled away to win 28-10.  Purdue travels to Wisconsin this weekend looking for a B1G win.