Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 6

Northwestern takes a big jump forward

By Inside NU Archives Oct 6, 2016, 11:12am CDT

Big Ten football has officially descended into madness just two weeks into conference season. Indiana beat Michigan State. Northwestern beat Iowa. Maryland hung 50. It’s pretty much impossible to know where to place teams after the top two, but we tried our best.

1

Ohio State Buckeyes

RECORD: 4-0 || Week 6: vs. Indiana
AVERAGE RANK: 1.0

The Buckeyes had no trouble covering a nearly 40-point spread against Rutgers and now will hope to quash any hopes Indiana has in the Big Ten East.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1

2

Michigan Wolverines

RECORD: 5-0 || Week 6: vs. Rutgers
AVERAGE RANK: 2.0

After passing it’s latest test — Wisconsin — Michigan should have two stress-free weeks before a visit to East Lansing.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2

3

Wisconsin Badgers

RECORD: 4-1 || Week 6: None
AVERAGE RANK: 3.1

Wisconsin holds steady at 3 even after a loss to Michigan. The Badgers can’t have three-interception games from freshman QB Alex Hornibrook, though.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
3	3	3	3	4	3	3	3	3

4

Nebraska Cornhuskers

RECORD: 5-0 || Week 6: None
AVERAGE RANK: 3.9

Nebraska spent its bye week moving up after a shocking loss from…

Zach Pereles Josh Burton Henrique DaMour Tristan Jung Will Ragatz Sam Brief Martin Oppegaard Caleb Friedman

4 4 4 4 3 4 4 4

5

Michigan State Spartans

RECORD: 2-2 || Week 6: vs. BYU
AVERAGE RANK: 5.4

The Spartans are falling out of it quickly after a shocking loss to Indiana. Maybe a non-conference game vs. BYU will cure their woes.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
5	5	5	6	6	5	6	5

6

Indiana Hoosiers

RECORD: 3-1 || Week 6: @ No. 2 Ohio State
AVERAGE RANK: 6

The Hoosiers have gone from pleasant early surprise to legitimate Big Ten team. Ohio St. in Columbus will be tough, though.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
6	7	7	5	5	6	5	7

7

Maryland Terrapins

RECORD: 4-0 || Week 6: @ Penn State
AVERAGE RANK: 8.3

This has to be the highest the Terps have been in who-knows-how-long.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
10	6	6	10	7	11	8	8

8

Northwestern Wildcats

RECORD: 2-3 || Week 6: None
AVERAGE RANK: 8.5

If anyone can figure out how to accurately rank this team, please notify all Inside NU staffers immediately.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
8	10	8	11	8	7	7	9

T-9

Iowa Hawkeyes

RECORD: 3-2 || Week 6: @ Minnesota
AVERAGE RANK: 8.8

That once-great defense gave up 38 points to a team that couldn’t do much of anything in the opening four weeks. Extend Ferentz!

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
9	9	10	8	10	8	10	6

T-9

Penn State Nittany Lions

RECORD: 3-2 || Week 6: vs. Maryland
AVERAGE RANK: 8.8

Penn St. got a much-needed win against Temple after getting thrashed by Michigan. Undefeated Maryland is next.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
7	8	9	9	9	9	9	10

11

Minnesota Golden Gophers

RECORD: 3-1 || Week 6: vs. Iowa
AVERAGE RANK: 10.4

In its Big Ten opener, the Golden Gophers blew a big lead late against a very young Penn State team. Bad look.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
11	11	11	7	11	10	11	11

12

Illinois Fighting Illini

RECORD: 1-3 || Week 6: vs. Purdue
AVERAGE RANK: 12

There was hope for about a half. Then Nebraska went on an 18-play drive, over 10-minute drive and ended with a touchdown.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
12	12	12	12	12	12	12	12

13

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

RECORD: 2-3 || Week 6: vs. No. 4 Ohio State
AVERAGE RANK: 13.1

At least Rutgers isn’t…

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
13	13	13	13	14	13	13	13

14

Purdue Boilermakers

RECORD: 2-2 || Week 6: @ Illinois
AVERAGE RANK: 13.9

Purdue lost by over 40 points to Maryland. And that’s really all you need to know. A former player ranted on Hammer & Rails.

Zach Pereles	Josh Burton	Henrique DaMour	Tristan Jung	Will Ragatz	Sam Brief	Martin Oppegaard	Caleb Friedman
14	14	14	14	13	14	14	14