by: Steve Samra
big ten power rankings - On3.com
The latest Big Ten Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 6 of the college football regular season.
The On3 Massey Ratings – which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995 – rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
1. Ohio State (5-0)
It was a slow start for Ohio State in Week 6, as they only led Iowa by seven at halftime. However, the Buckeyes put a beating on the Hawkeyes in the second half, scoring 21 in the third quarter on their way to a 35-7 win in Columbus.
If you’ve been one of the college football fans complaining about the quality of Ohio State’s opponents in 2024, that’ll all change in Week 7. The Buckeyes will travel to Eugene, where they’ll take on the Oregon Ducks in the weekend’s top attraction.
2. Oregon (5-0)
Oregon got the week started with a bang, as the Ducks played Friday evening against Michigan State. The Spartans and former Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith were amped to return to Eugene, but it wasn’t meant to be, as Oregon won by 21.
Moving ahead to Week 7, Oregon will take center stage in the college football world, as the Ducks will welcome Ohio State to Eugene. It’s the Big Ten clash with the most juice so far this season, and maybe for the entirety of 2024 considering the stature of these two teams. If Oregon can get the win, there’s no telling how high the Ducks can fly.
3. Penn State (5-0)
Penn State remained undefeated with a dominant win over UCLA in Week 6. The Nittany Lions are 5-0 and looking like a true contender inside the conference, with quarterback Drew Allar playing some efficient football at the moment.
Now, Penn State will look ahead to a trip to Los Angeles, where they’ll take on USC in the first conference clash between the two legendary programs. The Trojans are coming off a brutal loss to Minnesota, so they’ll be motivated to bounce back.
4. Michigan (4-2)
Michigan suffered their second loss of the season to Washington in Week 6. The Wolverines are now 4-2 after falling by ten to the Huskies, as they blew a three-point lead in the fourth quarter.
After an uneven start to the season, Michigan will enjoy a bye week in Week 7. The Wolverines will look to bounce back in Week 8, as they travel to take on the surprising Illinois Fighting Illini, in what should be a tough showdown.
5. Indiana (6-0)
The conference’s biggest surprise simply continues to win week-in and week-out. The Indiana Hoosiers went to Evanston and came out undefeated, as they defeated Northwestern by 17 in Week 6.
As they continue to move up the rankings, Indiana will have to take a week off from putting a beating on their opponent. The Hoosiers will enjoy their bye week in Week 7, and get back after it with a home clash against Nebraska in Week 8.
6. USC (3-2)
When USC joined the Big Ten, they certainly didn’t expect to be losing to teams like Minnesota, but the Trojans couldn’t overcome the Golden Gophers in their trip to Minneapolis over the weekend. They were beaten by a last minute touchdown, and they now have two losses in 2024.
Looking ahead to Week 7, it’ll be about bouncing back for USC, but the schedule does them no favors. Yes, a return to Los Angeles will be nice, but welcoming the undefeated Penn State Nittany Lions to town will be a tall task for Miller Moss and company.
7. Washington (4-2)
Washington was able to secure their biggest win since joining the Big Ten and some revenge for last season’s national title game, as the Huskies and Jedd Fisch celebrated a victory in Seattle over the Michigan Wolverines in Week 6.
Sitting at 4-2 on the season, Washington is looking to get on a bit of a roll here in 2024, and next on the docket is Iowa. The Hawkeyes are coming off a tough loss to Ohio State, so the Huskies will be hoping to bring the pain to Kirk Ferentz’s squad.
8. Iowa (3-2)
Iowa lost their second game of the season in Week 6. After an early season disappointment against Iowa State, the Hawkeyes hoped they could right their transgressions with a huge win against Ohio State, but it wasn’t meant to be in Week 6.
Perhaps Iowa can get back on track in Week 7. The Hawkeyes will welcome Washington to Kinnick Stadium for what should be a fascinating game between two Big Ten squads looking to avoid a third loss before Halloween.
9. Illinois (4-1)
Illinois is in the midst of a blistering start to the season, even though they fell to Penn State in Week 5. The Fighting Illini had some time to regroup in Week 6 though, enjoying a bye week this past Saturday.
After having a week to harp on their loss to the Nittany Lions, Illinois will get back to work against Purdue this weekend. The Boilermakers are reeling at 1-4, and the Fighting Illini will be hoping to avoid becoming a statement win for their Big Ten rival who’s been stuck in the doldrums.
10. Rutgers (4-1)
Rutgers suffered their first loss of the season in Lincoln on Saturday, as the Scarlet Knights fell to Nebraska. The Cornhuskers raced out to a 14-0 halftime lead, and Greg Schiano couldn’t will his team’s offense to score enough to win, as they only mustered one touchdown on the afternoon.
Perhaps a return to Piscataway and SHI Stadium will work wonders for Rutgers in Week 7. Wisconsin and Luke Fickell will be in town for the Scarlet Knight as they look for their fifth win of the season.
Big Ten Power Rankings: 11-16
11. Nebraska (5-1)
12. Wisconsin (3-2)
13. Minnesota (3-3)
14. Maryland (3-2)
15. Michigan State (3-3)
16. UCLA (1-4)
17. Northwestern (2-3)
18. Purdue (1-4)
