Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State enters 'real' season at No. 1 as Michigan moves up

Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch

Can a team win its conference by playing football from the 1910s?

Michigan is trying.

The Wolverines climbed the rankings ladder by upsetting USC in the Big House, and did so despite passing for only 32 yards. Ohio State does it differently, combining the pass and run so well that Marshall coach Charles Huff compared the Buckeyes to offensive powerhouses 2019 LSU and 2020 Alabama.

1. Ohio State (3-0)

Sept. 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Ohio State Buckeyes do “quick cals” before an NCAA Division I football game against the Marshall University Thundering Herd at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
Sept. 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Ohio State Buckeyes do “quick cals” before an NCAA Division I football game against the Marshall University Thundering Herd at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

Last week: 1

This week: at Michigan State

What to know: The Buckeyes face their first road test, but unless they fall asleep at the wheel they'll secure their driver's license easier than a focused 16-year-old keeping both hands on the wheel..

Penn State running back Nick Singleton (10) runs to the end zone to score a touchdown on a 17-yard reception in the first half of an NCAA football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa.
Penn State running back Nick Singleton (10) runs to the end zone to score a touchdown on a 17-yard reception in the first half of an NCAA football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa.

2. Penn State (3-0)

Last week: 3

This week: vs. Illinois

What to know: The Nittany Lions brace for an Illinois squad hungry to prove it is for real, but PSU’s defense is no figment of the Illini’s imagination.

3. Oregon (3-0)

Last week: 4.

This week: at UCLA

What to know: Feels like old home week in LaLa Land, where former Pac-12 schools reunite to reminisce about when the Bruins were actually decent and the Ducks weren’t.

Michigan linebacker Jack MacKinnon (39) celebrates a play against USC during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
Michigan linebacker Jack MacKinnon (39) celebrates a play against USC during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

4. Michigan (3-1)

Last week: 8

This week: vs. Minnesota

What to know: Every team needs an identity, preferably one not connected to cheating. The Wolverines know who they are: tough in the trenches; nasty on defense.

5. USC (2-1)

Last week: 2.

This week: vs. Wisconsin

What to know: The Trojans shot themselves in the foot so often in Ann Arbor they needed Traveler to carry them back to the team bus. The self-inflicted wounds heal against the Badgers.

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Brandon Henderson (94) scores a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini offensive lineman Brandon Henderson (94) scores a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

6. Illinois (4-0)

Last week: 7

This week: at Penn State

What to know: Bret Bielema is the early favorite to win conference coach of the year. He can lock it up by beating PSU in Happy Valley.

Sep 21, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Ian Strong (9) runs the ball against Virginia Tech Hokies safety Mose Phillips III (18) during the third quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Ian Strong (9) runs the ball against Virginia Tech Hokies safety Mose Phillips III (18) during the third quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

7. Rutgers (3-0)

Last week: 6

This week: vs. Washington (Friday)

What to know: We don’t really believe the Scarlet Knights are contenders, but if they somehow come away with a win in Seattle our lack of faith will be tested.

Sep 21, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Brendan Sullivan (1) celebrates his rushing touchdown with running back Kaleb Johnson (2) against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Brendan Sullivan (1) celebrates his rushing touchdown with running back Kaleb Johnson (2) against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

8. Iowa (3-1)

Last week: 9

This week: idle

What to know: A typical Iowa season takes a week off. The Hawkeyes quietly keep putting up ‘W’s’ despite getting razzed for playing prehistoric football..

9. Indiana (4-0)

Last week: 10

This week: vs. Maryland

What to know: Crazy-talking Curt Cignetti begins his fiery pregame speech with, “Maryland stole our lunch money.” We’re not sure what that means, but so far the motivational tactics are working.

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Janiran Bonner (16) runs for a touchdown against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Janiran Bonner (16) runs for a touchdown against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

10. Nebraska (3-1)

Last week: 5

This week: at Purdue

What to know: Big Red stubbed its toe against Illinois but could bang all 10 toes into the bed frame and still win by double digits against the Boilermakers.

Sep 21, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown against Northwestern Wildcats defensive lineman Michael Kilbane (47) during the fourth quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown against Northwestern Wildcats defensive lineman Michael Kilbane (47) during the fourth quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

11. Washington (3-1)

Last week: 13

This week: at Rutgers (Friday)

What to know: Traveling three time zones and 2,380 miles from home is good for frequent flier miles, but not winning football games.

12. Michigan State (3-1)

Last week: 11

This week: vs. Ohio State

What to know: Sparty coach Jonathan Smith has the program on the right track. Unfortunately for MSU, the Buckeyes are coming down that track Saturday.

13. Maryland (3-1)

Last week: 15

This week: at Indiana

What to know: If the Terrapins want to change the narrative of always falling apart by midseason, they need to bond together in Bloomington.

14. Wisconsin (2-1)

Last week: 14

This week: at USC

What to know: The last time the Badgers got this close to Hollywood was 2020, when they lost in the Rose Bowl. The Coliseum won’t be any kinder.

Sep 23, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck on the field before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck on the field before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

15. Minnesota (2-2)

Last week: 12

This week: at Michigan

What to know: Coach P.J. Fleck may not be on the hot seat, but coming off a 6-7 season his chair is getting warm.

Bruins Kwazi Gilmer 3 as the LSU Tigers take on UCLA at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
Bruins Kwazi Gilmer 3 as the LSU Tigers take on UCLA at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

16. UCLA (1-2)

Last week: 18

This week: vs. Oregon

What to know: The Bruins moved out of the basement this week by scoring 17 points against a so-so LSU defense, which says more about Northwestern and Purdue than about UCLA.

Sep 21, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) passes against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) passes against the Washington Huskies during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

17. Northwestern (2-2)

Last week: 16

This week: idle

What to know: Chicago’s Big Ten team, as the Wildcats brand themselves, may want to jump to the Pac-12 if things don’t improve.

Sep 21, 2024; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) reaches for the goal line during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) reaches for the goal line during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

18. Purdue (2-2)

Last week: 17

This week: at Oregon State

What to know: Purdue begins with a capital P that rhymes with T that stands for terrible.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football tops Big Ten Power Rankings; Penn State No. 2

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