2024 B1G Power Rankings - Week 6

 Week 6 has wrapped in the B1G.  The Vegas favorites were 7-1 straight up, as USC fell at Minnesota.  Rutgers suffered its first loss, falling to Nebraska in Lincoln.  Conference favorites Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon all managed to win convincingly again, setting up big matchups in week 7.  Michigan, playing its third quarterback of the season was unable to field a competent offense, falling to Washington.  Indiana moved to 6-0 for the first time since 1967! 

The week 7 slate features seven conference matchups.  Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, and Nebraska are off this week.  Things get started Friday night, as Northwestern travels to Maryland.  The game of the weekend kicks off Saturday night in Eugene as Ohio State faces off against the Ducks.  Penn State also travels to the west coast, visiting USC in the Coliseum.  

The week 6 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 (5-0) - The Buckeyes thoroughly manhandled Iowa 35-7, dominating the line of scrimmage.  The defense held Kaleb Johnson to 86 yards, half of them coming in garbage time.  They struggled to score in the first half, with two turnovers and a turnover on downs, but pulled away in the second half.  They travel to Eugene this week for a clash of the AP #2 and #3 teams.  The Buckeyes will look to continue a balanced offensive attack with the two headed RB monster and Will Howard finding star receivers JJ Smith and Emeka Egbuka.  The game is going to be decided in the trenches.  The Buckeye offensive line has gotten better every week.  Prediction: Ohio State 42 Oregon 20.  Is that score familiar? 

2. Penn State (5-0) - The Lions hosted UCLA in a sleepy noon kickoff, only it was the Lions that came out sluggish before winning 27-11.  They travel cross country to face USC Saturday afternoon.  

3. Oregon (5-0) - The Ducks dominated Michigan State in the first half before stepping off the gas after halftime.  They have improved throughout the season, after slow starts against Idaho and Boise State.  The atmosphere is going to be electric in Autzen this weekend as Ohio State comes to town.  

4. Indiana (6-0) - The Hoosiers are 6-0 for the first time since 1967 after beating Northwestern.  They are off this week before hosting Nebraska in a Big Noon clash next weekend.

5. Washington (4-2) - The Huskies dominated a hapless Michigan team in Seattle.  They are a couple bounces away from 6-0.  They travel to Iowa this weekend in a battle of the Washington offense against the Iowa defense.  

6. Illinois (4-1) - The Illini were off in week 6 and welcome Purdue to Champaign this weekend.  They look to improve to 5-1, with Michigan coming to town in week 8.

7. Nebraska (5-1) - The Huskers held off Rutgers 14-7, winning a close game for the 2nd time this season.  They are off this week before heading to Indiana next weekend.  

8. Michigan (4-2) - This team is bad.  They are on their third bad quarterback of the season.  The defense is a huge disappointment.  They are off this week before a tough four week stretch of Illinois, Sparty, Oregon, and Indiana.  Could they fall below .500?  

9. Rutgers (4-1) - They lost at Nebraska, struggling to move the ball.  They host Wisconsin this weekend.

10. Iowa (3-2) - Iowa was Iowa.  Kirk Ferentz made no effort to win in Columbus.  Faced with a 4th and 1 at midfield in the 2nd quarter, Iowa lined up to go for it, then called timeout and punted.  They didn't want to win the game. They'll probably go 9-3, but it's long past time to move on from Ferentz and join modern football.  

11. USC (3-2) - The Trojans lost at Minnesota.  The B1G hasn't been any easier for Lincoln Riley.  They welcome Penn State to LA this weekend and hope to not fall to 3-3.  

12. Minnesota (3-3) - The Gophers beat USC in week 6.  They travel to UCLA this weekend.  

13. Maryland (3-2) - The Terrapins were off in week 6.  They host Northwestern on Friday night.  

14. Wisconsin (3-2) - The Badgers throttled Purdue.  They travel to Rutgers this week. 

15. Michigan State (3-3) - The Spartans lost at at Oregon.  Two tough losses in a row to Ohio State and Oregon.  They have a week to recoup before hosting Iowa in week 8.  

16. Northwestern (2-3) - Indiana controlled the game in beating the Wildcats in Evanston.  They travel to Maryland on Friday night.  

17. UCLA (1-4) - The Bruins did not get their doors blown off by Penn State, so that may as well be a win.  They host Minnesota this week at the Rose Bowl, looking to get back in to the win column.  

18. Purdue (1-4) - The Boilermakers were drubbed by a Wisconsin team that had struggled to score all season.  It's a real shame that they don't play UCLA this season.