Tony Liebert’s Week 2 Big Ten power rankings: Oregon falters, Michigan rises

Tony Liebert’s Week 2 Big Ten power rankings: Oregon falters, Michigan rises

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Tony Liebert’s Week 2 Big Ten power rankings: Oregon falters, Michigan rises

The 2026 college football season has gotten off to a bonkers start, and that continued in Week 2 with plenty of interesting results in the Big Ten. This is where things stand before the first week with a couple of conference games.

Post-Week 2 Big Ten power rankings

  • 1. Ohio State (unchanged)
  • 2. Indiana (unchanged)

The Buckeyes did a poor job closing out No. 4 Texas on the road, but that result doesn’t change their outlook as a Big Ten contender. One team fell out of the top tier, but Ohio State and Indiana remain in a class of their own.

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates a catch during the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.

  • 3. USC (up one spot)
  • 4. Oregon (down one spot)
  • 5. Iowa (unchanged)
  • 6. Michigan (up four spots)
  • 7. Penn State (down one spot)

Oregon’s shocking loss to Oklahoma State as 24-point favorites doesn’t count towards their Big Ten record, but it does show they might not be as impressive as many expected. Michigan returns to tier two after an impressive bounceback win against Oklahoma. USC, Iowa and Penn State have some questions to answer, but the potential is still there.

Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) leaves the field after defeating the against the Oklahoma Sooners in the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

  • 8. UCLA (unchanged)
  • 9. Washington (down two spots)
  • 10. Maryland (up two spots)
  • 11. Minnesota (down two spots)
  • 12. Nebraska (up one spot)
  • 13. Illinois (up one spot)
  • 14. Wisconsin (down three spots)

Washington had to grind out a two-point win over a Utah State team that lost to Idaho State in Week 1. Maryland looked impressive at UConn, while Minnesota and Illinois both lost at home to power conference foes. I think all seven teams on this tier could beat each other on any given week.

Sep 12, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck rubs his head as he walks the sideline against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

  • 15. Northwestern (unchanged)
  • 16. Michigan State (unchanged)
  • 17. Purdue (unchanged)

Purdue had a narrow 38-36 loss at home to Wake Forest, showing how tough it will be to make a bowl game this season. Northwestern and Michigan State remain unbeaten, but they both face a similar fate.

Sep 12, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Fame Ijeboi (2) evades tackle by Wake Forest Demon Deacons cornerback Braylon Johnson (8) during the first overtime period at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

  • 18. Rutgers (unchanged)

I am ready to put Rutgers in its own tier at the bottom. I have serious doubts about the Scarlett Knights being competitive in any Big Ten game this fall after losing to Boston College in Week 2.

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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Sep 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Gophers section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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