Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 8 of college football

On3 has updated their Big Ten Power Rankings following some staggering action during Week 8 of the college football season.

While Michigan took care of business following their sign-stealing drama, the biggest game in the conference took place in Columbus, as Penn State and Ohio State finally clashed. The Nittany Lions couldn’t get over the hump though, as the Buckeyes took care of business at home on Saturday.

Moving forward, there’s a myriad of fascinating storylines in the Big Ten for Week 9 and beyond. With kickoff of many highly-anticipated games on the horizon, here’s where On3 has each squad at the moment, following their performances from last weekend. 

1) Michigan Wolverines (8-0)

Plenty of drama surrounding Michigan leading into their Week 8 showdown with Michigan State, but they didn’t let that distract them from the mission. The Wolverines dismantled their rivals on Saturday, leaving East Lansing with a 49-0 victory.

A well-earned bye week awaits Michigan in Week 9, as the Wolverines haven’t fallen victim to any teams in 2023. They have their sights set on the College Football Playoff, doubt them at your own risk.

2) Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) (+1)

After the detractors believed this was the season where Penn State would conquer Ohio State, the Buckeyes proved they’re still a notch above the Nittany Lions. It wasn’t the usual offensive explosion from Ohio State, but their defense stifled Penn State enough to lead the Buckeyes to a win.

Now possessing two impressive wins on the season, Ohio State will set their attention to Madison, Wisconsin, with a date against the Wisconsin Badgers on the docket. It’s another challenging test, but the Buckeyes have proven to be up to snuff in 2023.

3) Penn State Nittany Lions (6-1) (-1)

The Nittany Lions still possess a slim chance when it comes to the College Football Playoff, but Penn State faithful thought this would be their season. By virtue of a loss to Ohio State, their destiny is now out of their complete control.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty left on the table for Penn State moving forward. They’ll look to rebound with a home-date against Indiana in Week 9.

4) Wisconsin Badgers (5-2) (+1)

It wasn’t pretty, but Wisconsin got out of Illinois with a four-point win over the Fighting Illini. However, they’ll have to be much better in Week 9 if they’re to find victory.

The aforementioned Buckeyes are coming to town. This’ll surely be an emotional one for Luke Fickell, but a win would be the first-year statement he’s looking for, with many not giving them a shot Week 9.

5) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-2) (+1)

Rutgers is officially bowl-eligible. That was the main goal coming into 2023, and the Scarlet Knights accomplished that, gaining their sixth win of the season by virtue of defeating Indiana on Saturday.

The back-half of the schedule is certainly difficult for Rutgers, but perhaps a monumental upset is in their future. The Scarlet Knights have a bye week in Week 9, and will welcome Ohio State to Piscataway in Week 10.

6) Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2) (-2)

The range of emotions Iowa faithful felt on Saturday was ridiculous. A game-winning punt return was taken off the board, and the Hawkeyes fell to Minnesota by two-points in the process.

Iowa will receive a much needed break this weekend, with a bye week in Week 9, and get back on the horse in Week 10 against Northwestern. That’s just what the doctor ordered to get the Hawkeyes’ season back on track.

7) Maryland Terrapins (5-2)

The Terrapins didn’t play in Week 8, and will be back on the field in Week 9, traveling to face Northwestern on Saturday. With a victory, Maryland can clinch at least bowl eligibility for 2023, which would be the first step on their goal sheet.

ESPN Analytics is giving Maryland an 81.7% chance at winning this one. Time will tell, but it could be a celebratory afternoon for the Terrapins.

8) Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-3) 

It’s been an uneven season for Minnesota, but a victory over Iowa was as big of a statement as they could’ve made on Saturday. The Golden Gophers are now at 4-3 on the season, with a chance to make a little run.

They’ll welcome Michigan State this weekend, a showdown where Minnesota will be favored. The Golden Gophers are rowing the boat and moving forward after some disappointing performances earlier this season.

9) Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-3)

The Cornhuskers enjoyed a victory over the weekend, and will get back to in on Saturday, welcoming Purdue to town. The Boilermakers haven’t exactly been great in 2023, so it’ll be another chance at victory for Nebraska.

They’re not dismantling teams, but Nebraska keeps chugging along and making progress. That’s all you can ask for in Year 1 of a rebuild for Big Red.

10) Illinois Fighting Illini (3-5)

Illinois had grander expectations for 2023, and a slow start may have quelled those. However, they gave Wisconsin all the Badgers could handle in Week 8.

While the Fighting Illini fell by four points, it was an impressive performance nonetheless. In Week 9, they’ll watch some football from their couch, looking to get healthier during their bye week.

11) Indiana Hoosiers (2-5)

It wasn’t pretty on Saturday for Indiana, as Rutgers took it to the Hoosiers at home. The Scarlet Knights disavowed Indiana, defeating them by a score of 31-14 in a game that never felt close after the first quarter.

Week 9 doesn’t offer a reprieve for the Hoosiers, as they’ll travel to take on Penn State. It’s getting harder to see where the next win will come from.

12) Purdue Boilermakers (2-5)

Another team searching for a win is Purdue, and they’ll have an interesting shot at one on Saturday. The Boilermakers will take their show to Nebraska, looking to upset Big Red in Week 9.

ESPN Analytics is giving them a 48% chance at victory, so this could be a close game. Coming off of a bye week, the Boilermakers better be roaring and ready to rock in Week 9.

13) Northwestern Wildcats (3-4)

It was a close one, but Northwestern fell to Nebraska in Week 8. The Wildcats couldn’t get through against the Cornhuskers, and lost by eight points on Saturday.

They’ll return home to welcome Maryland to town in Week 9. The Terrapins are hoping to get bowl-eligible after the game, but the Wildcats will have something to say about that.

14) Michigan State Spartans (2-5)

Michigan State continues to bring up the rear, and it’s not looking good for the Spartans. A nightmare season continued, as they were blown out at home by Michigan, losing by a score of 49-0.

A trip to Minnesota is on the docket for Week 9. The Golden Gophers are feeling themselves, but they’re still vulnerable, so perhaps a better performance is on the horizon.

As you can see, the Big Ten continues to be one of the more intense conferences, top-to-bottom, in all of college football. There’s multiple College Football Playoff contenders, and other teams simply looking to continue their upward trend, and we can’t wait to see what happens to them in Week 9.

On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this article.