2024 B1G Power Rankings - Week 9

Week 9 has wrapped in the B1G and it the favorites found their way back to in the winner's circle. It wasn't always pretty but the favorites finished the week 8-0.  With teams having four or five games remaining, it's time to take a look at the bowl picture.  The B1G should have three, maybe four, teams in the playoff.  The B1G then has tie-ins with the Citrus, ReliaQuest, Mayo, Music City, Pinstripe, Guaranteed Rate, and Quick Lane bowls.  That's seven bowl tie-ins, plus the former Pac-12 teams are eligible for the Alamo, Independence, Las Vegas, Holiday, LA, and Sun Bowls.  So theoretically, there's room for 15 B1G teams to be in the playoff or a bowl game.  So how many are going to be bowl eligible at 6-6 or better?

6+ wins: Oregon, Indiana, Penn State, Ohio State, Illinois

5 wins: Wisconsin, Nebraska, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota

4 wins: Michigan State, Maryland, USC, Washington, Rutgers

3 or less wins: Northwestern (3), UCLA (2), Purdue (1)

We'll take a look below at each teams chance to get to six wins.  There are 15 teams at 4-4 or better, but can they all get to six wins?  A few or the four win teams, and even a couple five wins teams could definitely struggle to get there.  

The week 10 slate features eight conference matchups.  Rutgers and Maryland are off this week.  There are no Friday games.  The big game of the week is in Happy Valley as the national #3 Penn State Nittany Lions host the #4 Ohio State Buckeyes at noon on Saturday.  ESPN College Gameday, Fox Big Noon Kickoff, and 

The week 9 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. Oregon (8-0) - The Ducks did what great teams are supposed to do.  They dominated a good team at home, leaving no doubt as they drubbed Illinois 38-9.  They've strengthened their hold at the top of the rankings.  They travel to Michigan this week.   

2. Penn State (7-0) - The Lions handled business in Madison on Saturday night, overcoming another slow start and pulling away in the 2nd half.  QB Drew Allar went down and did not return.  His status for the matchup vs Ohio State this weekend is up in the air.  

3. Indiana (8-0) - The Hoosiers did what great teams are supposed to do.  They controlled Washington the entire game, winning 31-17 with backup quarterback Tavon Jackson starting.  The undefeated Hoosiers travel to Michigan State this weekend looking to improve to 9-0 for the first time in school history.  In 137 seasons of Indiana football, they have never won 10 games!!!! This looks to be the year.  

4. Ohio State (6-1) - The Buckeyes were off again this week.  Oh they weren't off?  Nebraska came to the Columbus funeral home and refused to win the game as the Buckeyes scored with six minutes remaining and held off the Huskers.  It was a downright pitiful performance against a team coming off a 49 point drubbing to Indiana.  It was uninspired football coming coming off a loss to Oregon and an extra week to prepare.  If they play anything like that in State College this week they'll be heading home with their first two loss regular season since 2018.  They should be ranked lower, but fortunately for the Bucks, the other 14 teams in the B1G are all just as putrid.  

5. Illinois (6-2) - The Illini went to Eugene and were introduced to the best team in the country.  Oregon was up early and the Illini couldn't muster a comeback.  They host Minnesota this week in a classic B1G West battle.  The winner will have an inside track on the Mayo Bowl.  

6. Wisconsin (5-3) - The Badgers had a halftime lead on Penn State in Madison, but couldn't hold on in the 2nd half.  They are missing a quarterback, as Brayden Locke threw a bad pick six in the 3rd quarter as Penn State pulled away.  Bowl eligibility is in the balance as they have Iowa, Oregon, Nebraska, and Minnesota to finish the season.  

7. Nebraska (5-3) - The Huskers refused to win in Columbus, falling 21-17.  They took the lead 17-14, before allowing a bad Ohio State offense to drive for the winning score with six minutes left.  Ohio State had 13 tackles for loss. Nebraska failed to establish a downfield passing game against the weak Ohio State corners.  They host UCLA this weekend, looking for the elusive sixth win.  If they don't get it this week, it may not come easy as they finish at USC, and then Wisconsin, and Iowa.

8. Michigan (5-3) - The Wolverines were once again horrible, this time defeating little brother.   The Spartans had more pass yards, more rush yards, more first downs, more 3rd down conversions, fewer punts, and dominated time of possession, but the Wolverines still came out on top.  They scored late in the 2nd quarter and then a field goal after a fumble to close the half resulted in a halftime lead.  Running back Alex Orji scored on the first possession of the 3rd quarter and the game was over.  They have a tough finishing slate with Oregon, Indiana, Northwestern, and Ohio State.  Anything better than 6-6 should be considered a success.  

9. Iowa (5-3) - The Hawkeyes did what they should to a bad Northwestern team, winning 40-14.  They were up 12-7 at the half and scored 28 in the 3rd quarter.  Brendan Sullivan looks like a competent quarterback, which is a step in the right direction.  With a manageable November, 9-3 is on the table.  

10. Minnesota (5-3) - The Gophers are a wagon, scoring 34 first half points en route to a 48-23 victory over Maryland.  They have won three in a row and travel to Illinois this weekend with a lot of momentum.  They finish at Rugters and then Penn State and Wisconsin.

11. Michigan State (4-4) - The Spartans dominated everything except the final score, as they fell to Michigan on Saturday night.   An Aiden Chiles fumble at the end of the 2nd quarter allowed Michigan to take the lead at the half.  They host Indiana this weekend, looking to ruin the Hoosiers perfect season.  With Purdue and Rutgers at the end of the season, they look to get to six wins.  

12. Washington (4-4) - The Huskies traveled to Indiana for an early game and fell 31-17.  The up and down season continues for Washington.  The path to six wins may come down to this week as they welcome USC to Seattle.  They finish with Penn State, UCLA, and Oregon needing two wins for bowl eligibility.  

13. Maryland (4-4) - The Terrapins are a bad football team that somehow beat USC two weeks ago.  Minnesota hammered them on Saturday, leaving a dicey path to bowl eligibility.  Needing two wins, they travel to Oregon after an off week and then have Rutgers, Iowa, and Penn State.

14. USC (4-4) - The Trojans manhandled Rutgers on Friday night in LA in a game that started at 11 EST.  Anyone that watched only did so because they fell asleep at the end of World Series game 1 (and missed an awesome game), only to awake on the couch to a USC-Rutgers snoozer.  They travel to Washington this weekend with a path to six wins.    

15. Rutgers (4-4) - They lost a 4rd game in a row, this time at USC.  A trip to Maryland in two weeks may be the only thing standing in the way of an eight game slide to end the season.  They are off this week before hosting Minnesota win week 11.

16. Northwestern (3-5) - The Wildcats lost at Iowa after an ok 1st half.  They travel to Purdue this week in a battle of B1G bottom feeders.  

17. UCLA (2-5) - The Bruins were off and travel to Nebraska this week.

18. Purdue (1-6) - The Boilermakers were off and host Northwestern this week.  It appears to be their best chance at a B1G conference win as they have Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, and Indiana to end the season.  

2024 B1G Power Rankings - Week 8

Week 8 has wrapped in the B1G and it was the week of upsets.  Favorites were 3-4 on the week, with powerhouses Oregon and Indiana (!!) winning, as well as upstart Wisconsin.  Michigan, Iowa, and USC fell on the road, while Rutgers continued it's downward slide, falling a winless in the B1G UCLA. 

The week 9 slate features eight conference matchups.  Bottom feeders Purdue and UCLA are off this week.  Things get started Friday night, as Rutgers travels to USC in a game of two struggling teams looking to get back in the win column after three game losing streaks.  ESPN College Gameday is heading to Bloomington, as undefeated Indiana hosts Washington.  The Buckeyes are back, hosting Nebraska.  Penn State has to travel to Madison for a Halloween weekend night game in Camp Randall.  National #1 Oregon hosts Illinois.  Michigan's "Drive to six" is on, as they host Michigan State in a night Big Ten Network banger!

The week 8 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. Oregon (7-0) - The Ducks are 7-0 and #1 in the polls after taking care of business at Purdue.  They host Illinois in Eugene this weekend. 

2. Ohio State (5-1) - The Buckeyes were off and host Nebraska in week 9.

3. Penn State (6-0) - The Lions were off and travel to Wisconsin for a game under the lights at Camp Randall.    

4. Indiana (7-0) - The Hoosiers absolutely crushed Nebraska in Bloomington to get to 7-0.  They are moving up the polls and sit at #13 this week, just outside of the playoff.  10-0 Indiana going to the Horseshow in late November?  

5. Illinois (6-1) - The Illini manhandled Michigan in Champaign.  A week after giving up 49 points to Purdue, the Michigan offense was a welcomed guest for the Illini.  They travel to Oregon this weekend, looking to pull the upset.    

6. Wisconsin (5-2) - The Badgers had another impressive win at Northwestern.  They host Penn State at night, looking to pull the upset over the undefeated Nittany Lions.  They were in the same spot last year against Ohio State at the end of October, keeping it close before Ohio State pulled away late in the game.  The Wisconsin offense is much improved and is looking for Luke Fickell's first big win in Madison.

7. Nebraska (5-2) - The Huskers were throttled 56-7 by Indiana.  The Hoosiers were up early and kept the heat on the entire game.  Now Nebraska has to pull up their pants and survive in Columbus this week.

8. Michigan State (4-3) - The Spartans are coming off a good win against Iowa.  They held Kaleb Johnson to under 100 yards and Aiden Chiles is getting better week after week.  They travel to the Big House this weekend, looking to pounce on the floundering Wolverines.  

9. Iowa (4-3) - The Hawkeyes lost to Michigan State, unable to move the ball.  The defense has regressed, which doesn't bode well when the offense hasn't gotten any better.  They host Northwestern this week.

10. Washington (4-3) - The Huskies were off and travel to Indiana this week.  They will need to limit turnovers to upset the Hoosiers.

11. Michigan (4-3) - The Wolverines were once again horrible in a loss to Illinois.  They have an inept offense and allowed the Illini to control the game.  They host Michigan State this week. 

12. Minnesota (4-3) - The Gophers were off and host Maryland this week.

13. Maryland (4-3) - The Terrapins came back from a score deficit to beat USC.  Down 28-14, they went for two to make it 28-22.  A late touchdown allowed them to escape with a 29-28 victory.  They travel to Minnesota this week.  

14. Rutgers (4-3) - They lost a 3rd game in a row, this time to UCLA at home.  They were still missing a large part of their defense.  They travel to USC on Friday night, both teams looking to get back in the win column.  

15. USC (3-4) - Three losses in a row and the Trojans are really struggling.  They continue blow leads and that's a reflection on Lincoln Riley and the coaching staff.  They host USC in a "who wants to lose more" game on Friday night.

16. Northwestern (3-4) - The Wildcats lost their final game at the temporary lakefront stadium to Wisconsin. They travel to Iowa this week.  

17. UCLA (2-5) - The Bruins went in to Piscataway for a noon scrum and came away with their first B1G Conference win!  They controlled the entire game, scoring 20 points for the first time this season.  That leaves the CLEVELAND BROWNS as the only NCAA/NFL team that hasn't scored 20 points in a game this season!!!  

18. Purdue (1-6) - The Boilermakers were blanked by Oregon on Friday night.  They'll score the same amount of points this week as they are off!  

2024 B1G Power Rankings - Week 7

Week 7 has wrapped in the B1G and it was the most exciting weekend yet!  Oregon beat Ohio State in the B1G game of the year.  It was a back and forth matchup with the Buckeyes failing to score on their last possession, falling 32-31.  

I think it's too early to call a referendum on the Ryan Day experience at Ohio State.  As I'm feeling the 60,000+ rabid fans at Autzen Stadium, the Bucks made it to the 28-yard line with a timeout and 28 seconds, one thing was stuck in my head, the Peach Bowl against Georgia in 2022.  CJ Stroud had scampered for 27 yards to the Georgia 31 with a timeout and 24 seconds left.  Dallan Hayden ran up the middle and two poor pass attempts led to a missed 50-yard field goal attempt by Noah Ruggles.  Ryan Day cowered in the moment and didn't push the issue.  When the same thing happened on Saturday night Ryan Day went for it.  He didn't settle this time.  An unnecessary OPI on Jeremiah Smith was the death blow.  Dan Lanning's great use of illegal substitution, and Will Howard sliding just a little bit late ended the game.  It didn't work, but Ryan Day didn't settle.  

The results of the game doesn't change much for Ohio State.  The loss of Josh Simmons at left tackle for the season is the biggest negative.  Dan Lanning and Oregon get their B1G win and are clearly in the driver's seat for the B1G Championship, or at least a rematch with Ohio State in Indianapolis.

The Ducks vs. Bucks game wasn't the only excitement in the league.  Penn State traveled to USC and upended the Trojans in overtime, coming back from a two touchdown deficit at halftime.  Illinois held off a furious Purdue comeback to win in overtime.  Iowa put it to Washington in Iowa City and Minnesota pulled out a win at the Rose Bowl

The week 8 slate features seven conference matchups.  Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, and Washington are off this week.  Things get started Friday night, as Oregon travels to Purdue.  Indiana hosts Nebraska in the game of the week.  The only other game that has much consequence has Michigan traveling to Illinois.

The week 7 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. Oregon (6-0) - The Ducks improved to 6-0, beating Ohio State at Autzen Stadium.  They travel to Purdue this Friday night. 

2. Ohio State (5-1) - The Buckeyes are off this week and host Nebraska in week 9.

3. Penn State (6-0) - The Lions came back in the Coliseum to beat Nebraska.  They are off this week and travel to Wisconsin for a game under the lights at Camp Randall.    

4. Indiana (6-0) - The Hoosiers were off last week.  They host Nebraska for B1G Noon, looking to go to 7-0.  This will be the Hoosiers first test of the season.  

5. Illinois (5-1) - The Illini held off Purdue and host Michigan this week.  

6. Nebraska (5-1) - The Huskers were off and travel to Indiana this week in a big matchup in Bloomington.    

7. Iowa (4-2) - The Hawkeyes stomped Washington on the scoreboard.  They travel to Michigan State on Saturday night.  

8. Washington (4-3) - The Huskies outgained Iowa, but were throttled 40-16 after turnovers and failed 4th down attempts.  

9. Michigan (4-2) - The Wolverines were off and travel to Illinois this week, trying to get back in the win column.  

10. Wisconsin (4-2) - The Badgers throttled Rutgers on the road and showed progress on offense.  They travel to Northwestern this week.  

11. Minnesota (4-3) - The Gophers held off UCLA and are off this week.

12. Rutgers (4-2) - They lost a 2nd game in a row, this time to Wisconsin.  They were missing a large part of their defense.  They look to get back in the win column, hosting UCLA this week.  

13. USC (3-3) - Two losses in a row and the Trojans are closer to 100 than the top 10.  Lincoln Riley continues to find new ways to lose, this time blowing a 14 point half time lead against Penn St.  They travel cross country to Maryland this weekend.  

14. Northwestern (3-3) - The Wildcats had a nice win at Maryland on Friday night.  They host Wisconsin in their last home game at the temporary lakefront stadium.  

15. Maryland (3-3) - The Terrapins lost to Northwestern.  They host USC this weekend.  

16. Michigan State (3-3) - The Spartans were off and host Iowa this weekend. 

17. UCLA (1-5) - The Bruins came close to beating Minnesota, but remain winless in the B1G.  They travel to Rutgers for another 9 am PST banger.   

18. Purdue (1-5) - The Boilermakers almost came back against Illinois, but remain winless in the B1G.  They host Oregon on Friday night looking to pull the huge upset.  

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.