2024 Big Ten Football Week 11 Power Rankings: Iowa and Minnesota Surge, Wisconsin and Nebraska Stumble
Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Key Wins Propel Iowa and Minnesota Up, While Wisconsin and Nebraska Drop After Tough Losses
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This week’s power rankings see no movement in the league’s top 4, but Iowa and Minnesota both jumped up three and five spots respectively. Wisconsin and Nebraska both dropped two spots after disappointing losses last weekend.
Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, and Indiana are all in action this weekend. They are all favorites to win their games, but keep your eyes on Ohio State and Penn State who cannot afford to become two-loss teams.
Tier 1 - College Football Playoff Contenders
1. Oregon (9-0, 6-0)
Trend: -
CFP Ranking: No. 1
Last week: 38-17 win vs. Michigan
This week: vs. Maryland
Oregon debuts in the College Football Playoff rankings at No. 1. They will face Maryland for the first time in the program’s history.
2. Ohio State (7-1, 4-1)
Trend: -
CFP Ranking: No. 2
Last week: 20-13 win vs. Penn State
This week: vs. Purdue
The Buckeyes are in control of their destiny. After Purdue this weekend, they take on Northwestern, Indiana, and Michigan. The Indiana game looks like their final hurdle to getting a rematch with Oregon in the Big Ten Championship.
3. Penn State (7-1, 4-1)
Trend: -
CFP Ranking: No. 6
Last week: 20-13 loss vs. Ohio State
This week: vs. Washington
As
puts it, Penn State is “the poster child for Just Below Elite.” But maybe with the expanded CFP Penn State can win away the taste of another disappointing loss to Ohio State.4. Indiana (9-0, 6-0)
Trend: -
CFP Ranking: No. 8
Last week: 47-10 win at Michigan State
This week: vs. Michigan
Maybe Indiana deserves the No. 2 spot in these rankings, maybe they don’t, but they haven’t played any of the teams above them. Sure this is out of Indiana’s control, but I’ll feel better about ranking this team after it faces Ohio State in two weeks.
Tier 2 - Outside, Looking In
Tier 3 - Bowl Bound
5. Iowa (6-3, 4-2)
Trend: +3
Last week: 42-10 win vs. Wisconsin
This week: at UCLA
The Hawkeyes rise to three spots after crushing the Wisconsin Badgers. Did you know Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has the second-most career wins (201) among active coaches?
6. Minnesota (6-3, 4-2)
Trend: +5
Last week: 25-17 win at No. 24 Illinois
This week: at Rutgers
Minnesota rises after an impressive road victory against a ranked Illinois team. The Golden Gophers have now won four straight games. Part of the team’s success is due to quarterback Max Brosmer whose 68.2% completion percentage is on pace to break the program’s record.
7. Illinois (6-3, 3-3)
Trend: -
Last week: 25-17 loss to Minnesota
This week: BYE
Illinois has a chance to finish the regular season with a respectable 9-3 record with upcoming games against Michigan State, Rutgers, and Northwestern.
8. Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3)
Trend: -2
Last week: 42-10 loss at Iowa
This week: BYE
If you can’t stop Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson, you can’t stop Iowa. Wisconsin lived that lesson in its blowout loss to the Hawkeyes.
9. Nebraska (5-4, 2-4)
Trend: -2
Last week: 27-20 loss vs. UCLA
This week: BYE
The Cornhuskers have now dropped three straight games. They are now fighting for a bowl game with remaining conference games against USC, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
10. Washington (5-4, 3-3)
Trend: +3
Last week: 26-21 win vs. USC
This week: at Penn State
I’m probably biased, but I think the Huskies can pull off the upset against Penn State this weekend. Washington’s defense is legit, and I think it magically all comes together this weekend.
11. Michigan (5-4, 3-3)
Trend: -2
Last week: 38-17 loss vs. No. 1 Oregon
This week: at No. 8 Indiana
Michigan has won 42 of the past 44 games against Indiana. The Hoosiers beat Michigan in 1987 and 2020. It seems like a blowout loss in favor of Indiana is the likely outcome in this year’s match.
12. USC (4-5, 2-5)
Trend: -1
Last week: 26-21 loss at Washington
This week: BYE
Lincoln Riley decided to bench Miller Moss after the signal-caller threw three interceptions against Washington. The Trojans will start UNLV transfer quarterback Jayden Maiava against Nebraska in two weeks.
13. Rutgers (4-4, 1-4)
Trend: -1
Last week: BYE
This week: vs. Minnesota
Rutgers has now lost four straight games. They have lost three straight to Minnesota, and Minnesota is riding a four-game win streak. I don’t think Rutgers has a chance this weekend.
Tier 4 - Bottom 5
14. Michigan State (4-5, 2-4)
Trend: -
Last week: 47-10 loss vs. No. 13 Indiana
This week: BYE
Will Aidan Chiles be Michigan State’s starting quarterback next season? He’s thrown interceptions in six of his team’s nine games. In four games, he’s thrown at least two interceptions.
15. Maryland (4-4, 1-4)
Trend: -
Last week: BYE
This week: at No. 1 Oregon
The last time Maryland played on the West Coast was in 2014 in the Foster Farms Bowl in Santa Clara. Realignment is wild.
16. Northwestern (4-5, 2-4)
Trend: -
Last week: 26-20 win at Purdue
This week: BYE
Northwestern sophomore running back Joseph Himon II had 9 total touches for 112 total yards and two touchdowns in the Wildcats’ narrow win over Purdue.
17. UCLA (3-5, 1-4)
Trend: -
Last week: 27-20 win vs. Nebraska
This week: vs. Iowa
Can the Bruins keep their momentum going? UCLA has won two straight and host Iowa at the Rose Bowl for a Friday night game. Could this be a Big Ten after dark classic?
18. Purdue (1-7, 0-5)
Trend: -
Last week: 26-20 loss vs. Northwestern
This week: at No. 2 Ohio State
How low can you go?
Ohio State is Purdue’s fifth game in which it has taken on a top-ten ranked opponent. Things don’t easier either. After Ohio State, Purdue faces Penn State, Michigan, and Indiana.