Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 2 of college football

The latest Big Ten Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 2 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.

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The Big Ten had an uneven weekend throughout their conference, with some programs celebrating huge victories, others going back to the drawing board following demonizing losses, and a whole lot of in between. Check out the full rankings below following Week 2’s action.

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1. Ohio State (2-0)

Ohio State takes the top spot after Week 2. The Buckeyes topped 50 points once again over the weekend, defeating Western Michigan by a score of 56-0, with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith having himself an afternoon, amassing five receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown.

If you’ve felt like Ohio State hasn’t truly been tested in 2024 yet, Week 3 likely won’t change your mind. The Buckeyes will welcome Marshall to Columbus on Saturday, with the Thundering Herd coming off a major loss to Virginia Tech over the weekend.

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2. Penn State (2-0)

Following their huge victory on the road against West Virginia in Week 1, Penn State came home to a raucous Beaver Stadium. However, it was anything but an easy Week 2 for the Nittany Lions, as Bowling Green gave them all they could handle over the weekend, falling seven points shy in their upset attempt.

At the least, quarterback Drew Allar showed his mettle again in Week 2, passing for 204 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Penn State will look to hammer out the kinks in another home game in Week 3, as they welcome Illinois to town for their first Big Ten game of 2024.

3. Michigan (1-1)

After a dominating run led by Jim Harbaugh over the last couple of seasons, Sherrone Moore hoped to continue the immense success for the Wolverines. However, it’s been a rocky start, as Michigan struggled a bit with Fresno State in Week 1, and then Texas came to Ann Arbor and took their lunch in Week 2.

Michigan will remain at home in Week 3 and Week 4, as they look to get their season back on track before it spirals out of control. This weekend’s clash against Arkansas State is their chance to iron out their deficiencies, before USC come to The Big House the following Saturday.

4. Oregon (2-0)

Oregon came into the season with dreams of a Big Ten title in their first season with the conference. While they’re 2-0 after two weeks, the Ducks haven’t been overly impressive, struggling with Idaho in Week 1 and Boise State in Week 2, two teams Dan Lanning’s team will need to show they can handle if their College Football Playoff dreams are to come true.

Perhaps their rivalry clash with Oregon State is just what the doctor ordered to return to form for the Ducks. Defeating the Beavers in Corvallis would be no small feat, but it’s something Dillon Gabriel and something must accomplish to get their team prepared for some Big Ten clashes in the coming weeks.

5. USC (2-0)

USC was a bit overlooked heading into the 2024 campaign, after the Trojans faltered following immense hype in 2023. However, a victory over LSU in Week 1, and a tremendous follow-up against Utah State in Week 2 has Lincoln Riley’s squad tending up.

Miller Moss and USC’s offense is looking poised to continue ravaging their opponents, and they’ll enjoy a well-timed bye week in Week 3. It’s back to work the following weekend, with another massive showdown on the docket, as the Trojans will travel to Ann Arbor to face Michigan.

6. Washington (2-0)

Washington’s first two weeks haven’t been dominating by any means, by the Huskies have done enough to get to 2-0, even though the completion hasn’t been stiff. In Week 2, Jedd Fisch’s squad defeated Eastern Michigan by a score of 30-9, with Will Rogers passing for four touchdowns in an impressive performance.

While the two don’t share the same conference any longer, Washington will welcome Washington State to town in Week 3. The Cougars will be highly motivated to beat the Huskies, so the freshly-minted Big Ten program will need to be at their best inside Lumen Field when Saturday rolls around.

7. Wisconsin (2-0)

Through two weeks, Wisconsin hasn’t established themselves as world-beaters, but the Badgers are 2-0. Still, the confidence in Luke Fickell’s team isn’t exactly soaring, as Wisconsin struggled at times in their wins over Western Michigan and South Dakota.

There will certainly be zero time for that in Week 3. Wisconsin will have their biggest test of the season by far, with the Alabama Crimson Tide coming to Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, in what should be one of the better showdowns this weekend.

8. Michigan State (2-0)

Michigan State defeated FAU in Week 1, and then the Spartans were able to go on the road and take care of business in Week 2 on the road, defeating Maryland. Utilizing a ten-point fourth quarter, Aidan Chiles led Michigan State to another dub, even if he threw three interceptions in the conference battle.

In Week 3, Michigan State will have a bit of a reprieve, as Prairie View will come to East Lansing. The schedule tightens up a bit after, so Michigan State must use this weekend as a chance to iron out everything they need to improve on, because they won’t get away with it against some of their tougher conference foes.

9. Illinois (2-0)

What a start to the season it’s been for Illinois. After taking care of business against Eastern Illinois in Week 1, by future of a 45-0 victory, the Fighting Illini got some revenge on Kansas in Week 2, defeating the No. 19-ranked Jayhawks by four due to their ten point fourth quarter last Saturday afternoon.

Now, Illinois will be hoping to keep the good times rolling in Week 3, as they’ll welcome Central Michigan to Memorial Stadium. It’ll be their third home game of the season, before they take their show on the road in Week 4, so they’ll be hoping to leave Champaign undefeated when the time comes.

10. Nebraska (2-0)

Matt Rhule’s Cornhuskers quieted Colorado and Deion Sanders in Week 2. The Buffaloes were shellshocked by halftime, as Nebraska raced out to a 28-0 lead, and while they didn’t score in the second half, it was more than enough to secure a win inside Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.

Now, Dylan Raiola and the new-look Cornhuskers will look to keep their momentum headed in the right direction in Week 3, as they’ll welcome Northern Iowa to town. Some important Big Ten clashes will take place in the weeks following, so Nebraska will be hoping to continue their impressive play with that in mind.

Big Ten Power Rankings: 11-16

11. UCLA (1-0)
12. Iowa (1-1)
13. Purdue (1-0)
14. Maryland (1-1)
15. Indiana (2-0)
16. Rutgers (2-0)
17. Minnesota (1-1)
18. Northwestern (1-1)

Outside of the top ten in the Big Ten, there were some surprising results, like Iowa falling to Iowa State, and Northwestern falling to Duke in overtime. Meanwhile, Indiana and Rutgers advanced to 2-0 with dominating wins. Time will tell, but Week 3 should be another fascinating slate in the Big Ten, as the 2024 season rages on.