We've made it to the fist big week of the B1G conference season. The biggest matchup is UCLA traveling to Northwestern, kicking off at 3:30 EST on Big Ten Network. That's a huge matchup for the conference flagship station. I can't believe that NBC, CBS, and FOX all passed on this matchup. The winner will have the inside track on not finishing 0-9 in the conference, looking at a strong 1-8 conference record.
In other games, we have Penn State hosting Oregon in a whiteout. Big Game James Franklin has yet another chance for a signature win. We'll go with the coaches poll, which has Oregon at #5. Franklin is 1-18 in games against top 5 opponents, 4-20 against top 10. After playing three creampuffs, no one has any clue if Penn State is good or not. Oregon, while not playing the toughest schedule, have at least played a B1G game as well as two OSU's.
Now for the power rankings:
1. Ohio State (3-0) - The Bucks were off and travel to Washington this week. They'll be looking to continue their dominant start defensively. There were some redzone struggles in the Ohio game that will hopefully be rectified. Husky Stadium is not an easy place to play, and with a good team the crowd is going to be bringing the passion.
2. Penn State (3-0) - The Lions were off and welcome Oregon to State College for the annual whiteout game. Penn State is 13-8 all-time in Whiteout games, with six straight wins. Thanks to the new TV contracts, the Whiteout game isn't always the biggest game on the schedule, with Ohio State not being featured since 2018. The Bucks are 3-2 in official Whiteout games. I was at the 2007 game and it sure seemed like a Whiteout though it's not listed. As far as the game goes, Penn State hasn't played anyone, so who knows how good they are. Thankfully for James Franklin, Oregon is ranked #6 and this won't count as another top 5 loss.
3. Oregon (4-0) - The Ducks beat Oregon State in the Civil War to set up a top 10 matchup against Penn State. College Gameday is leaving the SEC to head to Happy Valley. The Ducks have been dominant in their first four games. Quarterback Dante Moore has never experienced anything like he will this Saturday night. I think the only way the Ducks lose is if Moore is too rattled and can't handle the Whiteout, ala Troy Smith 2005.
4. Indiana (4-0) - The Hoosiers slaughtered Illinois 63-10 in a statement win for Curt Cignetti, their biggest win in his two seasons. They travel to Iowa this weekend in a big road test.
5. USC (4-0) - The Trojans beat Michigan State, scoring at will. They travel to Illinois for Big Noon this week, squaring off against a defense that gave up 63 to Indiana. Expect another big scoring week.
6. Washington (3-0) - The Huskies had no trouble in the Apple Cup against Washington State. They host Ohio State this week in Seattle, looking to extend their 22-game home winning streak. The Huskies opened as 13.5-point underdogs, but the spread as moved in the Washington's way to only 7.5 points. Quarterback Demond Williams has been great at quarterback and will have to have a big afternoon if they're able to upset the Buckeyes.
7. Illinois (3-1) - The Illini severely disappointed as they were blown out 63-10 at Indiana. An injured secondary opened the flood gates as the Hoosiers kept the pedal down all four quarters. The Illini host USC in a Big Noon clash, with most of the secondary still out. They may need to get into a shootout with the Trojans if they have a chance to win.
8. Michigan (3-1) - The Wolverines held off Nebraska in the second half for a big road win in Lincoln. Quarterback Bryce Underwood had another big game as he gets more comfortable in the offense. Interim coach Biff Poggi finished 2-0 in the role for cheating Sherrone Moore as Moore turns for their game against Wisconsin in two weeks.
9. Iowa (3-1) - The Hawkeyes scored on the opening kickoff and pulled away in the second half to beat Rutgers in a Friday night blackout. They look to pull the upset as Indiana comes to Iowa City this week.
10. Michigan State (3-1) - The Spartans fell to USC early Sunday morning and travel to Nebraska in two weeks.
11. Nebraska (3-1) - The Huskers lost another game to a ranked team, as Michigan left Lincoln with a win. They tied the game at the end of the first half after bad Michigan clock management, then allowed Michigan to jump out to a quick ten point lead in the third quarter. The defense allowed big touchdowns of 37, 54, and 75 yards, with Michigan only getting in to the redzone at the end of game for a game sealing field goal. The Huskers are off this week, before hosting Michigan State.
12. Rutgers (3-1) - The Scarlet Knights lost to Iowa at home on Friday night and travel to Minnesota this week.
13. Maryland (4-0) - The Terps are 4-0 after beating a bad Wisconsin team. They miss Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and USC on the schedule coming up. Six wins seems like a sure thing, in season that many expected to up at 4-8 or worse. True freshman Malik Washington has been good through four games. They are off this week, before hosting Washington next week.
14. Minnesota (2-1) - The Gophers were off and host Rutgers this week.
15. Purdue (2-2) - The Boilermakers lost to Notre Dame, giving up 35 first half points before falling 56-30. They are off this week and host Illinois next week.
16. Wisconsin (2-2) - The Badgers were embarrassed at home against Maryland, falling 27-10. It's time for Luke Fickell to go. He came in and tried to modernize Wisconsin football. Unfortunately, you need a quarterback to do that. Injuries at the position haven't helped, as transfer starters have gotten hurt each season. I'm not sure where I see in a win on the schedule the next two months as their remaining schedule is Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, Oregon, Wasingtion, Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota. They'll be underdogs in every game. Does Fickell make it to see the inevitable 2-10?
17. Northwestern (1-2) - The Wildcats host UCLA this week in a battle to see who goes 1-8 in the B1G. Turn in to BTN at 3:30 EST!
18. UCLA (0-3) - The Bruins travel to Northwestern this week in a battle to see who goes 1-8 in the B1G. Turn in to BTN at 3:30 EST!
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