Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 9 of college football

The latest Big Ten Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 9 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.

With a couple of surprising results and a ton of fascinating games, the college football world as a whole was shaken up, including the Big Ten’s group of teams. Here’s where they all stand after Week 9, and ahead of what should be an awesome Week 10.

1. Oregon (8-0)

Oregon laid the hammer down as the top-ranked team in the nation in Week 9. The Ducks welcomed a solid Illinois team to Eugene, and they sent them packing with a 29-point loss, their second on the season.

Next up for the top-ranked team in the country is a trip to Michigan. Oregon has to be careful, as the Wolverines are the defending national champions, but they’re also a far cry from last season’s team at the moment.

2. Penn State (7-0)

It wasn’t always pretty for Penn State in Week 9, as they trailed at halftime against Wisconsin. However, the Nittany Lions showed up in the second half, outscoring the Badgers by a score of 21-3 to secure a victory on the road.

It may not be fair, but Penn State’s season might come down to this weekend. The Nittany Lions will welcome the Ohio State Buckeyes to Happy Valley, and a win could put them on the pedestal they so desperately want to reach.

3. Ohio State (6-1)

Ohio State wasn’t expecting to be in a highly-contested battle with Nebraska in Week 9, but the Cornhuskers gave the Buckeyes all they could handle. Still, Ryan Day’s team ended up with their sixth win of the season, as a late Quinshon Judkins touchdown put them ahead for good.

One thing is for certain, Ohio State will have to play better if they’re to hand Penn State their first loss of the season in Week 10. Both teams are dealing with a myriad of issues, but there will be no excuses for the loser of this weekend’s highly-anticipated contest.

4. Indiana (8-0)

Indiana could’ve folded under the weight of heightened expectations, but the Hoosiers came to play in Week 9. They took care of business at home against Washington, as their fans celebrated a 31-17 victory to advance to 8-0 in 2024.

Can the Hoosiers keep the good times rolling and move to 9-0? A trip to East Lansing is up next on their schedule, and Michigan State isn’t happy after losing to Michigan this past weekend. They’ll have to be on their game once again, but that shouldn’t be a problem for Indiana, if the past is any indication.

5. Michigan (5-3)

Michigan survived an intense rivalry game to advance to 5-3 on the season against Michigan State. The Wolverines only mustered 265 total yards, but it was enough to get the job done against the Spartans in Week 9.

While Michigan has three losses on the season, they can restore some of the good feelings they’ve enjoyed over the past couple of years with a monster win in Week 10. Oregon is coming to town, and what better way for Sherrone Moore to endear himself to the fanbase would there be than defeating the No. 1 team in the nation.

6. USC (4-4)

USC got the party started for the Big Ten on Friday evening in Week 9. After the Los Angeles Dodgers walked it off against the New York Yankees, they sent the Rutgers Scarlet Knights back to the East Coast with a 22-point loss.

In Week 10, USC will face off against a familiar foe, as they’ll travel to Seattle to face Washington. Both former Pac-12 teams are 4-4 on the season, so avoiding falling below .500 following Saturday’s contest will be at the top of both team’s minds.

7. Wisconsin (5-3)

Wisconsin had Penn State on the ropes at halftime, taking a three-point lead into the break in Week 9. However, the Badgers weren’t able to close the deal, and the Nittany Lions delivered them their third loss of the season inside Camp Randall Stadium.

It won’t get any easier for the Badgers in Week 10. They’ll travel to face Iowa on Saturday evening, and the Hawkeyes are sporting a new-look offense. Whoever wins will clinch bowl-eligibility, so there’s a ton at stake.

8. Iowa (5-3)

Iowa quite simply dominated Northwestern to advance to 5-3 on the season over the weekend. The Hawkeyes put up a whopping 40 points, with the aid of a 28-point third quarter, to defeat the Wildcats on Saturday.

Moving forward, Iowa can clinch bowl-eligibility with a win over Wisconsin in Week 10. Nothing is guaranteed, but the Hawkeyes and their new-look offense will be looking to continue making a statement against the Badgers on Saturday.

9. Illinois (6-2)

Illinois was hoping to advance to 7-1 with a victory over the top-ranked team in the nation, but Oregon had other plans. The Ducks got out to a 35-3 lead before they called off the dogs, proving why they’re the No. 1 team at the moment against the Fighting Illini.

Now the question becomes how well can Illinois bounce back after a loss like they suffered over this past weekend. It’ll have to be answered against a Minnesota team who doesn’t look like they’ll simply lay down for the Fighting Illini in Champaign.

10. Minnesota (5-3)

Minnesota continues to be a heck of a surprise in the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers raced out to a 24-point lead and that proved to be enough, as Maryland couldn’t overcome their onslaught inside Huntington Bank Stadium.

After a slow start to the season, Minnesota can clinch bowl-eligibility with a win over Illinois in Week 10. The Fighting Illini are coming off a tough loss to Oregon, so perhaps they’ll be ripe for the picking when the Golden Gophers welcome them to Minneapolis.

Big Ten Power Rankings: 11-16

11. Washington (4-4)
12. Nebraska (5-3)
13. Michigan State (4-4)
14. Maryland (4-4)
15. UCLA (2-5)
16. Rutgers (4-4)
17. Northwestern (3-5)
18. Purdue (1-6)

While the remainder of the Big Ten’s squads put up solid performances in Week 9, like Washington, Michigan State and Nebraska, they all had nothing to show for it, suffering demoralizing losses. The Week 10 slate is another doozy at least, so there will be plenty of room for upsets, as each team ranked No. 11 through No. 18 will be hoping to make a climb over the rest of the season.