Big Ten football power poll: Ohio State still the team to beat

Oct. 1—Sorry, Illinois fans, but only five Big Ten teams remain undefeated. Plenty are

still in the mix for a College Football playoff spot. Some others? Not so much. Sports Editor Matt Daniels tackles his latest Big Ten football power poll:

1. Ohio State (4-0)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 1

Jeremiah Smith is the next great wide receiver for the Buckeyes. Pair the dynamic freshman with Emeka Egbuka, and quarterback Will Howard has capable options. Not to mention a superb run game. Ask Michigan State.

2. Oregon (4-0)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 2

Yes, the Ducks’ 34-13 win at UCLA that started late Saturday night and ended Sunday morning in Champaign counts as a Big Ten game. Dillon Gabriel and Co. should roll past Michigan State this Friday night in Eugene.

3. Penn State (4-0)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 4

Luke Altmyer is still probably thinking about Nittany Lions’ defensive end Abdul Carter. If Penn State’s offense doesn’t produce, no worries. James Franklin’s defense can win games on its own. Like this Saturday against UCLA.

4. Michigan (4-1)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 5

The Wolverines carry a 27-game Big Ten win streak into this Saturday night’s game at Washington, a rematch of last season’s national title game. If Kalel Mullings follows his offensive line again, the number will reach 28.

5. Indiana (5-0)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 6

Curt Cignetti talked a lot of smack this offseason. Mainly at Purdue. So far, the Hoosiers have backed it up behind their first-year coach. Win on Saturday at Northwestern, and Indiana is the first Big Ten team to clinch a bowl bid.

6. Southern Cal (3-1)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 7

Good thing Miller Moss and Ja’Kobi Lane helped the Trojans wake up in the second half against Wisconsin. Or else the booing wouldn’t have stopped in Los Angeles before they play at Minnesota this Saturday night.

7. Illinois (4-1)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 3

The positives: A bowl berth appears likely for Kaden Feagin and his teammates a year after missing out. The negatives: the Illini offensive line and defensive line have to improve after getting exposed at Penn State.

8. Rutgers (4-0)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 8

The second Greg Schiano stint is going about as well, if not better, than his first. The man was just built for New Jersey apparently. Same for running back Kyle Monangai, who is quickly becoming a household name.

9. Iowa (3-1)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 9

The rest of the schedule doesn’t seem too daunting for Kaleb Johnson and Co. Seven of the final eight games are against teams ranked below the Hawkeyes in this poll. Except this Saturday. This Saturday, it’s Ohio State. Gulp.

10. Nebraska (4-1)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 13

All hope isn’t lost in Lincoln. Winning 28-10 at Purdue was a positive sign after an overtime home loss to Illinois. Hosting an upstart Rutgers this Saturday is another good test to see if Matt Rhule’s program is legitimately back.

11. Washington (3-2)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 10

Don’t believe the Huskies are making a return trip to the national championship game this year. Maybe in 2027 once Jedd Fisch has it rolling again. But he still has to play Michigan, Southern Cal, Penn State and Oregon this fall.

12. Wisconsin (2-2)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 11

Luke Fickell is just 10-8 in his tenure with the Badgers. A far cry from the success he had at Cincinnati. Losing at Southern Cal, despite a second-half collapse, is one thing. Losing to Purdue this Saturday? Then you’re in trouble.

13. Michigan State (3-2)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 12

No shame in losing to Ohio State. Plenty of teams will do so this season. Six wins in Jonathan Smith’s first season seems possible, but the Spartans’ offense likely won’t have an easy time at Oregon this Friday night.

14. Maryland (3-2)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 14

All those years of playing Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State are no more. So the 0-2 Big Ten start, with losses to Michigan State and Indiana, are especially displeasing if you’re a fan of Mike Locksley’s program.

15. Northwestern (2-2)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 16

The Wildcats didn’t score a Big Ten touchdown in September. To be fair, David Braun’s team didn’t play last Saturday and lost 24-5 at Washington on Sept. 21. We’ll see if the trend continues this Saturday against Indiana.

16. Minnesota (2-3)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 15

First-year quarterback Max Brosmer seems to have some potential. But it won’t matter, though, if the Gophers can’t stop the run. P.J. Fleck’s defense has sprung a leak so far in Big Ten play.

17. UCLA (1-3)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 17

For a team that has not yet scored more than 17 points in a game, the Bruins might not want to think about this weekend. Not only do they have to fly to State College, Pa., but they have to face Penn State’s defense.

18. Purdue (1-3)

➜ Previous ranking: No. 18

Average only 12.7 points against FBS foes, fire your offensive coordinator. That’s what Ryan Walters did Sunday night in announcing the dismissal of Graham Harrell. Things are not well in West Lafayette, Ind.