2024 Big Ten Football Week 6 Power Rankings: Who are the CFP Contenders?

The Latest Big Ten Football Power Rankings

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As we near the halfway point of the college football season, the College Football Playoff picture is coming into focus. A handful of teams have separated themselves as legitimate contenders, while others are knocking on the door.

In this week's power rankings and Big Ten tier breakdown, the top five teams stay put after all notching wins last weekend. Ohio State continues to dominate with a standout performance from true freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Meanwhile, Penn State, Oregon, Michigan, and USC are all positioning themselves to make a strong playoff push.

Tier 1 - College Football Playoff Contenders

1. Ohio State (4-0, 1-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 3

Last week: 38-7 win vs. Michigan State

This week: vs. Iowa

Per ESPN, Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith became the first Ohio State true freshman to record a receiving touchdown in four straight games.

2. Penn State (4-0, 1-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 7

Last week: 21-7 win vs. No. 24 Illinois

This week: vs. UCLA

The Nittany Lions got an “ugly win” against a ranked Illinois team. They’ll get an easier matchup against the Bruins at home this weekend. Post-game analysis from

Ben Jones

:

Five Quick Thoughts: Illinois

3. Oregon (4-0, 1-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 6

Last week: 34-13 win at UCLA

This week: vs. Michigan St.

Oregon has now ripped off two consecutive 21+ point victories. The Ducks face some familiar foes on Friday night with former Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith leading the Spartans along with former Beavers that followed Smith and his staff to Michigan State.

4. Michigan (3-1, 1-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 10

Last week: 27-24 win vs. Minnesota

This week: at Washington

The Wolverines survived a fourth-quarter surge by Minnesota, who put up 21 points and just ran out of time against Michigan. Vegas has Michigan as underdogs entering Saturday’s game against Washington.

Inside the Matchup: Alejandro Zuniga Breaks Down Michigan’s Chances in National Championship Rematch

5. USC (3-1, 1-1)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 11

Last week: 38-21 vs. Wisconsin

This week: at Minnesota

Down 21-10 at the half, the Trojans scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to take down the Badgers. USC quarterback Miller Moss tossed three touchdowns.

Tier 2 - Outside, Looking In

6. Illinois (4-1, 1-1)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 24

Last week: 21-7 loss to No. 7 Penn State

This week: BYE

A tough loss to Penn State, but Illinois is still a contender. They’ll get two weeks to prepare for a three-game stretch that includes Purdue, Michigan, and at Oregon.

7. Nebraska (4-1, 1-1)

Trend: -

Last week: 28-10 win at Purdue

This week: vs. Rutgers

Nebraska was a dismal 1-for-8 on third downs in its win against Purdue. The Cornhuskers also missed three field goals. But they won and that’s what matters.

8. Iowa (3-1, 1-0)

Trend: -

Last week: BYE

This week: at Ohio State

Will the Buckeyes be able to stop Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson? He’s had at least 100 yards and two touchdowns in all of Iowa’s four games this season.

9. Indiana (5-0, 2-0)

Trend: +1

AP Ranking: No. 23

Last week: 42-28 win vs. Maryland

This week: at Northwestern

Another win for Indiana. They are now 5-0 for the first time since 1967 and one win away from bowl eligibility. They will likely be 6-0 with an easy game against Northwestern this weekend.

10. Rutgers (4-0, 1-0)

Trend: -1

Last week: 21-18 win vs. Washington

This week: at Nebraska

Yes, beating Washington is impressive, but anyone watching the game knows that Rutgers, as of now, is not a contender. I’m interested in seeing how they follow-up the victory on the road against Nebraska. They’ve at least earned a jump in tiers to “Outside, Looking In.”

Tier 3 - Bowl Bound

11. Washington (3-2, 1-1)

Trend: -

Last week: 21-18 loss at Rutgers

This week: vs. No. 10 Michigan

Huskies Beat Themselves: Washington's Costly Mistakes Lead to 21-18 Loss to Rutgers

There are nine teams in the country with a Top 20 offense and Defense in Yards per play. Washington is one of those teams and has two losses. The other eight teams are a combined 35-1. Someone, make it make sense.

12. Michigan State (3-2, 1-1)

Trend: -1

Last week: 38-7 loss to No. 3 Ohio State

This week: at Oregon

Three turnovers in the red zone doomed Michigan State against the Big Ten’s top team. Four of the Spartans’ next five opponents are ranked. The unranked opponents left on its schedule? Iowa, Purdue, and Rutgers. Michigan State just might squeak into a bowl game.

13. Wisconsin (2-2, 0-1)

Trend: -

Last week: 38-21 loss at No. 11 USC

This week: vs. Purdue

The Badgers get a chance to bounce back against Purdue after blowing a 21-10 half-time lead to USC.

Tier 4 - Bottom 5

14. Maryland (3-2, 0-2)

Trend: -

Last week: 42-28 loss at Indiana

This week: vs. Northwestern

Maryland could not take advantage of Indiana’s four turnovers. It was Maryland’s first loss to Indiana since 2020.

15. Minnesota (2-3, 0-2)

Trend: +3

Last week: 31-14 loss to Iowa

This week: 27-24 loss at No. 10 Michigan

Does it make sense to move up a team after losing? Minnesota almost beat Michigan, and I think that counts for something.

16. UCLA (1-3, 0-2)

Trend: -1

Last week: 34-13 loss to No. 6 Oregon

This week: at No. 7 Penn State

I don’t know how DeShaun Foster will be able to keep his job. An insane quote from last week’s game:

17. Purdue (1-3, 0-1)

Trend: -1

Last week: 28-10 loss to Nebraska

This week: at Wisconsin

Purdue fired its offensive coordinator Graham Harrell on Sunday after Purdue only mustered 38 points in their last three games. The Boilermakers didn’t make it to the end zone until the final minutes of the team’s loss to Nebraska.

18. Northwestern (2-2, 0-1)

Trend: -1

Last week: BYE

This week: at No. 23 Indiana

Will the Wildcats think of going back to Mike Wright? There’s a lot of season left, and the schedule for Northwestern sets up possible bowl elgibility if it’s able to figure out its offense.