Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 5 of college football

The latest Big Ten Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 5 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.

The week began with an awesome game in Piscataway between Rutgers and Washington on Friday evening, and it continued all throughout Saturday afternoon, with Wisconsin traveling to face a USC looking for retribution, and an undefeated clash between Penn State and Illinois. Here’s where each team ended up after Week 5.

1. Ohio State (4-0)

Many were hoping for Ohio State to be tested this weekend for the first time, as they traveled to face Michigan State in Week 5. If it was a test, the Buckeyes passed with flying colors, as Ryan Day’s bunch defeated the Spartans on the road by a score of 38-7.

Perhaps Week 6 will bring Ohio State’s first close contest of the season, as they’ll have to be on the top of their game, with Iowa coming to town. It’s never easy facing Kirk Ferentz’s squad, even if they are offensively challenged at times.

2. Oregon (4-0)

It’s safe to say Oregon has figured it out after their slow start to the season. The Ducks took on an old Pac-12 rival turned Big Ten foe over the weekend in UCLA, and the Bruins were no match for Oregon, as Dan Lanning’s squad won by three scores.

Dillon Gabriel is rounding into form after passing for three touchdowns, and he’ll have another tune-up this weekend against Michigan State. However, the Ducks will welcome Ohio State to town the following week, so they’ll have to bring their best over the next month.

3. Penn State (4-0)

Illinois had many believing they could pull the upset throughout the week, and those hopes were magnified after the first drive against Penn State, where the Fighting Illini went up 7-0. However, that was the best it would get for the road team, as the Nittany Lions locked it down over the rest of the game to the tune of a 21-7 victory.

Drew Allar didn’t throw a touchdown, but he did just enough to lead Penn State to a win. The Nittany Lions are still undefeated, and they’re looking ahead to a Week 6 showdown with the UCLA Bruins in Happy Valley this weekend.

4. Michigan (4-1)

Michigan is 4-1 on the season, but each game has been a battle. The Wolverines followed up their win against USC with what many believed was going to be a barn-burner against Minnesota, but the Golden Gophers made it more than interesting, as they only lost by three when the final whistle blew.

Sherrone Moore’s first month on the job was a mixed bag, but Michigan is in a good spot at the moment. The next two games will be huge for the Wolverines though, as they’re on the road against Washington and Illinois.

5. USC (3-1)

USC needed to bounce back after their disastrous loss to Michigan on the road, and it didn’t look pretty against Wisconsin for much of the first half. However, Lincoln Riley got ahold of his team after the break, and the Trojans figured it out afterwards, leading to a 38-21 win.

At 3-1 on the season, the Trojans are looking to prove their worth within the conference, and they’ll have a fascinating game in Week 6, as they’re traveling to face Minnesota. The Golden Gophers made it a game against the Wolverines over the weekend, so it’s anyone’s guess who wins on Friday.

6. Indiana (5-0)

Indiana continues to be one of the more pleasant surprises in all of college football. The Hoosiers offense has been impeccable, and it led them to their fifth win of the season on Saturday afternoon, outlasting Maryland on the road.

Officially moved into the Top 25 in the AP Poll, Curt Cignetti’s team will be hoping to continue their hot streak in Week 6. The Hoosiers will travel to face Northwestern in a game they should win, if they play like they have throughout 2024.

7. Iowa (3-1)

Iowa enjoyed a bye week in Week 5 after defeating Minnesota in Week 4. The Hawkeyes have had a solid start to the season, with the lone blemish on their record a one-point loss to the Iowa State Cyclones, albeit at home.

The good vibes could either greatly improve or be dashed with this weekend’s gigantic showdown against Ohio State. Kirk Ferentz and his squad will be hoping the coach has some tricks in the bag for that one.

8. Rutgers (4-0)

Rutgers remained undefeated in front of a raucous crowd at SHI Stadium on Friday evening. The Scarlet Knights defeated Washington, denying the Huskies their first Big Ten road victory by a score of 21-18, with running back Kyle Monangai leading the way, amassing 132 yards and a touchdown.

Next up for Greg Schiano’s team is an all-important clash with Nebraska. The winner of the game will be set up nicely inside the conference to make a surprise run, and the Cornhuskers have proven to be a formidable opponent throughout the 2024 campaign.

9. Illinois (4-1)

Illinois’ undefeated run came to an end against Penn State in Week 5. The Fighting Illini got off to an awesome start, driving down the field to score a touchdown, but it was all for naught, as the Nittany Lions were impeccable from that moment on.

The Fighting Illini have a slight reprieve this weekend, with Purdue coming to town. However, they’ll have a massive challenge, or opportunity, in their two following games, with Michigan and Oregon to follow.

10. Washington (3-2)

Washington’s offense had no trouble moving the ball against Rutgers, but the Huskies had enough missed opportunities to make a coach want to pull their hair out against the Scarlet Knights. When it was all said and done, another missed field goal was their undoing, as the Huskies fell by three in New Jersey.

Kalen DeBoer is killing it in Tuscaloosa, while Washington has suffered two losses in September. The calendar turning this week could do wonders for the Huskies though, but their schedule doesn’t get any easier, with Michigan coming to Seattle for a title game rematch this weekend.

Big Ten Power Rankings: 11-16

11. Nebraska (4-1)
12. Wisconsin (2-2)
13. Maryland (3-2)
14. Michigan State (3-2)
15. Minnesota (2-3)
16. UCLA (1-3)
17. Northwestern (2-2)
18. Purdue (1-3)

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Nebraska went on the road and held off a Purdue upset attempt, while Michigan and Minnesota simply didn’t have enough to defeat Indiana and Michigan respectively. Time will tell how the conference’s top teams will fare in Week 6, as there’s bound to be a lot more movement with conference-play continuing to pick up over the next couple of weeks.