Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 2 of college football

On3 has updated their Big Ten Power Rankings following some exhilarating action during Week 2 of the college football season.

We’re full speed ahead on this train, and some of the best in the Big Ten are leading the way. The Michigan Wolverines haven’t missed a beat, even without Jim Harbaugh, while the Penn State Nittany Lions are making their case to enter the upper-echelon of teams in the nation. However, many are still waiting to see what to make of perennial Big Ten contenders in the Ohio State Buckeyes, as their two victories on the season have left some to be desired.

As the season progresses, a clearer picture will be painted in the Big Ten, but throughout the conference, we’re beginning to get a sense of each team’s potential. Here’s where On3 has each squad at the moment, following their performances in Week 2.

1) Michigan Wolverines (2-0) (—)

The Wolverines continued their hot start to the season on Saturday, defeating UNLV by a score of 35-7. Quarterback JJ McCarthy was near perfect on the afternoon, passing for 278 yards and two touchdowns, while only throwing three incomplete passes.

Michigan has another matchup they should easily win against Bowling Green this weekend, where they’ll be 40-point favorites. Afterwards, they’ll open Big Ten play up by welcoming the undefeated Rutgers Scarlet Knights to Ann Arbor.

2) Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0) (+1)

The Nittany Lions sent Delaware home with an emphatic loss on Saturday, defeating the Blue Hens by 56 points. Perhaps it was their Michigan-style helmets that sent Penn State into a feeding frenzy on both sides of the ball.

Drew Allar only missed on four throws, accumulating 204 yards and a touchdown in the process. Week 3 will provide an interesting test for James Franklin and company, as they travel to Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini and their stifling defense.

3) Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0) (-1)

After a Week 1 performance where the talk was centered around their disappointing offense, Ohio State came out the gates firing in Week 2. Kyle McCord looked much better, and he found Marvin Harrison Jr. for multiple scores in their victory over Youngstown State.

Did he do enough to put Devin Brown behind him for good in the Buckeyes’ quarterback battle? It remains to be seen, but he’ll have another shot at some gaudy numbers in Week 3 against Western Kentucky this weekend.

4) Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0) (+1)

The Hawkeyes raced out to a 17-0 lead against Iowa State, but only held on for a 20-13 victory over the Cyclones over the weekend. Nevertheless, a win is a win, and Kirk Ferentz has his squad rolling at the moment.

Iowa will welcome Western Michigan to town for a Week 3 showdown before their highly anticipated game against Penn State in Week 4. As long as the Hawkeyes don’t get caught looking ahead, they should enter Happy Valley with a zero in the loss column.

5) Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0) (+1)

After holding on for dear life and defeating Nebraska in Week 1, Minnesota stayed hot with a win in Week 2 against Eastern Michigan. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis didn’t have his best game, only passing for 117 yards and an interception, but the Golden Gophers did enough.

Minnesota will have to bring more offense to Week 3 if they’re to stay undefeated though. They’re traveling to Chapel Hill to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels, and Drake Maye won’t be easy to slow down.

6) Wisconsin Badgers (1-1) (-2)

The first loss of the Luke Fickell era came at an inopportune time for Wisconsin. The Badgers couldn’t stop Washington State or Cameron Ward, and the Cougars sent the Badgers home with a 31-22 loss.

Thankfully, Wisconsin has a get-right game against Georgia Southern this weekend at home, so Fickell has plenty of time to get the offense humming. With Big Ten play starting afterwards, the Badgers will need to be firing on all cylinders.

7) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-0) (—)

For the second consecutive week, Rutgers took care of business in dominating fashion. After disposing of Northwestern in Week 1, the Scarlet Knights came close to a shutout once again, defeating Temple by a score of 36-7.

Running back Kyle Monangai showed out big in Rutgers’ black-out game, rushing for 165 yards and a touchdown. He sent the fans home happy and the students to Olde Queens in celebratory fashion, and the Scarlet Knights will hope to carry that momentum into their Week 3 showdown with Virginia Tech.

8) Maryland Terrapins (2-0) (—)

The Terrapins got off to a rough start against Charlotte, falling behind 14-0 against the 49ers on Saturday. However, three-straight field goals by Jack Howes, and a touchdown run by Billy Edwards Jr. turned things around.

Maryland defeated their opponent by 18 when it was all said and done, moving to 2-0. They’ll need to start quicker in the future, and they’ll hope for that to happen in Week 3 when the face off against Virginia on Friday night.

9) Michigan State Spartans (2-0) (—)

The Spartans won big once again on Saturday, disposing of Richmond by a score of 45-14. Noah Kim was slinging it for Michigan State, accumulating 292 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

While the Spartans have a huge game against Washington coming up, the focus is on their suspension of Mel Tucker at the moment. It remains to be seen what happens to the program, but there’s an uneasiness in the air for Michigan State

10) Indiana Hoosiers (1-1) (+1)

The Hoosiers took their frustrations from Week 1 out in Week 2. After falling to Ohio State, Indiana defeated Indiana State by a score of 41-7, with quarterback Tayven Jackson passing for 236 yards on the night.

A fascinating matchup awaits Indiana in Week 3, as the Hoosiers welcome Louisville to town. The Cardinals haven’t lost yet in 2023, but Tom Allen and company will hope to change that and continue to climb.

11) Purdue Boilermakers (1-1) (+2)

After a demoralizing loss to Fresno State in Week 1, Purdue bounced back in a big way in Week 2. The Boilermakers survived the elements to defeat Virginia Tech on the road, claiming a 24-17 victory on Saturday.

Hudson Card passed for 248 yards in his first victory with Purdue. Now, a matchup with Syracuse awaits the Boilermakers, as they look to defeat their second straight ACC team in Week 3.

12) Illinois Fighting Illini (1-1) (-2)

Kansas is on the up and up, but Illinois had designs on making it to the Big Ten title game. Those look to have taken a hit with their loss to the Jayhawks on Friday night.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer struggled for Illinois, throwing two interceptions against their Big 12 opponent. With Penn State coming to town on Saturday, Illinois is starting 1-2 in the face, unless they can pull off a shocking upset.

13) Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-2) (-1)

Some believed Nebraska could start out 2-0 on the season, with Minnesota and Colorado on their schedule. However, Matt Rhule is still looking for his first win, as Deion Sanders’ squad took it to the Cornhuskers in grand fashion.

At least Nebraska should have an easier time in Week 3, as they’re welcoming Northern Illinois to town. If Rhule can’t get his first win with the program this time around, questions will be asked, and they’ll be asked loud.

14) Northwestern Wildcats (1-1) (—)

With the way Northwestern’s schedule plays out, Week 2 seemed like it could be their only spot for a victory. Thankfully, the Wildcats found one against UTEP, taking care of business by a score of 38-7.

Quarterback Ben Bryant had a much better time on Saturday than he did in Week 1 against Rutgers, passing for 116 yards and a touchdown. A trip to Duke to play the Blue Devils is on the horizon for Week 3. Hey, stranger things have happened.

As you can see, the Big Ten featured some of the best action of the weekend, and the top teams in the conference continued chugging along. With conference play looming, they’ll hope to iron out their kinks, and move forward into some more success throughout 2023.

On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this article.