Northwestern drops out of both AP Poll and Coaches Poll

Northwestern (5-2 overall, 1-2 Big Ten) has fallen from the top 25 of both major polls after a 40-10 loss at home to Iowa (7-0, 3-0) on Saturday.

The Wildcats dropped to No. 39 in the Week 8 Coaches Poll, receiving just four votes. In the AP Poll, Northwestern also received just four votes.

Among the teams ranked ahead of Northwestern in the Coaches Poll is Illinois, who received five votes. The Illini did not receive any votes in the AP Poll.

Among the other Big Ten teams in the polls, No. 1 Ohio State (7-0, 3-0) retained the top spot in both. Michigan State (7-0, 3-0) stayed at No. 4 in the Coaches Poll and No. 7 in the AP Poll after knocking off Michigan. The Wolverines (5-2, 2-1) dropped three spots in both polls, falling to No. 15 in the AP and No. 17 in the Coaches Poll. Undefeated Iowa jumped up to No. 12 the AP and No. 13 in the Coaches Poll. Wisconsin (5-2, 2-1) also received votes in both polls, but remained unranked.

The Wildcats took a step back for the second straight week, after a second straight 30-plus-point loss. Northwestern lost at Michigan, 38-0, in Week 6 after starting the season 5-0.

The Wildcats cracked the top 25s after a Week 2 win over Eastern Illinois. Northwestern eventually rose as high as No. 13 in the AP Poll and No. 14 in the Coaches Poll after a 27-0 win over Minnesota in its Big Ten opener. The No. 13 ranking was the program's best since 2000.

Northwestern will hope to avoid a third straight loss when it travels to Nebraska next Saturday.