Big Ten Football Power Poll: Week One

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Well that was an interesting start to the Big Ten season. We had plenty of the expected blowout wins, the one expected blowout loss, and then a few very surprising results. Overall the conference went 16-2* last week, but there were definitely some games that stood out, and not for positive reasons. We recap them all here. Last week’s ranking are in the parenthesis below, and yes we had some movement.

#1 Ohio State Buckeyes 1-0 (1)

Win 56-3 vs Ball State

To no surprise Ohio State easily took care of the Cardinals from Ball State with Julien Sayin throwing for over 300 yards and over 150 of them to Jeremiah Smith who added a pair of TDs. OSU had their third stringers in in the fourth quarter. It was a total domination as it should have been. Things get much harder and much more interesting this week as the Buckeyes head to Austin to play #4 Texas in a potential CFP preview. The Longhorns are 1.5 point favorites in what should in theory be ne of the best games of the weekend and maybe the season?

#2 Indiana Hoosiers 1-0 (3)

Win 52-16 vs North Texas

Indiana did what they did for most of last season which was get off to a bit of a slow start and then absolutely dominate the second half. The Hoosiers only led 24-6 at half, and after an opening TFD drive by the Mean Green were just up 24-13. They the Hosiers went on a 28-3 the rest of the game to cruise to the early victory. Josh Hoover looked the part in his first game as a Hoosier throwing for 231 yards and four TDs in the win. The laughable non-con schedule for Indiana continues this week as they host Howard as 56.5 points favorites. Yes, that is the real line.

#3 USC Trojans 2-0 (4)

Win 37-0 vs Fresno State

Granted its against two smaller California schools, but USC has looked dangerous to start the season. They routed Fresno State 37-0 behind a 23-25 for349 yards and 3 TD passing performance from Jayden Maiava. The Trojans allowed just 116 total yards on defense and just 39 rushing yards on 29 carries. They finish their non-conference schedule this weekend hosting Louisiana as 30.5 point favorites.

#4 Oregon Ducks 1-0 (2)

Win 34-27 vs Boise State

That was closer than many thought it would be, but the Ducks who also got off to a slower start last season clawed and fought their way to a Week 1 win over a tough Boise State squad. Dante Moore led the way with 378 passing yards and three TDs. Old friend Koi Perich had 11 tackles to lead the Ducks defense, but was torched by the Boise State tight end for the game tying TD at 24-24. Was it a blip, or is Oregon vulnerable? They head to Oklahoma State for an 11 AM game this Saturday as 22.5 point favorites. A battle that looked much scarier before the Cowboys lost to Tulsa 24-10 last weekend.

#5 Penn State Nittany Lions 1-0 (5)

Win 45-0 vs Marshall

The Nittany Lions has zero trouble in Week 1 quieting the Thundering Herd to a limp after a 45-0 beating. Rocco Becht made his PSU debut throwing for 271 yards and four touchdowns. Another easy week for Penn State as they hit the road to face Temple in the Philadelphia Eagles stadium as 49.5 point favorites at 11 AM.

#6 Washington Huskies 1-0 (6)

Win 24-10 vs Washington State

The Huskies struggled at times but pulled off a 14-point Apple Cup win over their in-state rivals last Sunday. The Huskies lost a pair of running backs to injury, so it was the Desmond Williams show as he threw for 268 yards and a TD and ran for 61 more yards with a TD on the ground. Washington’s defense was generally effective, but the Cougars missed a pair of field goals which could have made things much interesting. The Huskies host Utah State as 26.5 point favorites at 2:30 Saturday.

#7 Iowa Hawkeyes 1-0 (8)

Win 40-0 vs Northern Illinois

Iowa jumps up one spot after a 40-0 thrashing of Northern Illinois in the sauna that was Kinnick Stadium. It was so hot in Iowa City that an Iowa band member died from heat stroke before halftime. (RIP—no joking about that one). Lets just leave it there and say Northern Illinois is going to have a hell of a time in the Mountain West. It’s El Assico weekend as the Hawkeyes host Iowa State Saturday night as 14 point favorites in the battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy.

#8 Minnesota Golden Gophers 1-0 (9)

Win 59-7 vs Eastern Illinois

Minnesota did exactly what you wanted to see them do in demolishing EIU at the Bank. Javon Tracy with the first Gopher punt return for a TD since 2019 and then just waited about 45 minutes to do it again earning Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors. But it gets significantly more real this weekend as a SEC team plays at Minnesota for the first time since 1959 when Mississippi State comes to Minneapolis. The Gophers are home 1.5 point underdogs to the Bulldogs who have a stud QB in Kamario Taylor. If the Gophers can keep him in check, it should be a big win. If they can’t—well add this game to the games against North Carolina and Cal that Minnesota fans will complain about PJ Fleck and non-conference opponents.

#9 Illinois Fighting Illini 1-0 (10)

Win 42-23 vs UAB

Illinois did not have much trouble defeating Alabama-Birmingham by 19 on Thursday night. New Illini QB Katin Houser had a quiet night going 13-17 for 172 yard and 3 TDs. UAB actually outgained the Illini by over 100 yards in the game, but a pick 6 for Illinois was the final nail in this one. The Illini host Duke at 6 point favorites Saturday afternoon in what could be a sneaky good game.

#10 Nebraska Cornhuskers 1-0 (11)

Win 49-21 vs Ohio

Nebraska did not look sharp right out of the gate but pulled away in the second half to knock off the Ohio Bobcats 49-21. The Huskers only led 14-13 at half but then went on a 35-8 run in the second half. with five TDs on their final five drives of the game. Nebraska hosts a cupcake in Bowling Green as 28.5 point favorites on Saturday night.

#11 UCLA Bruins 1-0 (13)

Win 45-24 @ Cal

UCLA was in a dog fight with Cal for most of the first three quarters in Berkley and then pulled away with 21 straight points in the fourth quarter to get the win. The Bruins forced two JKS interceptions and got a big running boost from Anthony Woods who had 118 yards on just 8 carries and a pair of TDs. UCLA ran for 277 yards in the contest averaging 8.7 yards per carry. The Bruins return to the Rose Bowl to host San Diego State as 11.5 point favorites on Saturday.

#12 Michigan Wolverines (1-0)* (7)

Win??? 13-12 vs Western Michigan

Ummm yeah. Michigan technically picks up a win on a hail mary throw from Bryce Underwood with one* second left on the clock after the Big Ten appeared to bail them out. This one is gonna be controversial for a long while. Regardless of the last play, the Broncos pretty much outplayed Michigan for most of the game. Frankly there is an argument Michigan could be brough even lower on this list, but they need to be able to drop even more if they go into Norman and get their butts kicked by #11 Oklahoma on Big Noon Saturday. Oklahoma is just a 5.5 point favorite which seems low, but Vegas must think Michigan has a bounceback waiting for them.

#13 Northwestern Wildcats 1-0 (14)

Win 34-18 vs South Dakota State

Northwestern didn’t exactly overpower the Jackrabbits for most of the game taking only a 20-18 lead early in the 4th quarter. But they found a way to outscore SDSU 14-0 the rest of the way and pick up the win. Statistically the game was pretty even, but Northwestern converted on their chances while SDSU left points on the field. Aiden chiles was mediocre for Northwestern in his debut. They now get their insanely early bye this week to try and get their new stadium done on time, but will need to finish the season playing 11 weeks in a row. Ooof.

#14 Wisconsin Badgers 0-1 (13)

Loss 41-13 vs Notre Dame in Green Bay

The Badgers looked actually good in the first half against the Irish keeping the game close and trailed just 13-10 at halftime. Then the second half started and Wisconsin was very overmatched being outscored 28-3 in the final two quarters. Colton Joseph was mediocre in his Badger debut going 19-30 for 217 yards and a pair of TD’s—except one was to Notre Dame on a pick 6. Wisconsin struggled to run the ball, but their defense looked improved. This loss was expected and they won’t see another tough team until their Big ten opener at Penn State. They host Western Illinois at Camp Randall this Saturday with no line.

#15 Michigan State Spartans 1-0 (16)

Win 30-20 vs Toledo

It wasn’t pretty but the Pat Fitzgerald era is off to a 1-0 start after tough win over Toledo at home. The Rockets actually took a 20-19 lead early in the 4th quarter before MSU ended the game with 11 straight points. Nobody stood out on offense for the Spartans in a balanced effort passing and rushing, but they will need to get better to beat tougher opponents. Luckily that won’t be this week as they host Eastern Michigan as 17.5 point favorites.

#16 Maryland Terrapins 1-0 (18)

Win 62-0 vs Hampton

Maryland probably did not deserve to be ranked 18th last week as it is September after all. How much you can read into a blowout of Hampton—a team that was a 2-10 FCS squad last year is tough but the Terps got several subs in early. We may get a better gauge this week as Maryland goes onto the road to face UConn, but still as 12.5 point favorites.

#17 Purdue Boilermakers 1-0 (17)

Win 44-19 vs Indiana State

Purdue started their season with a blowout win over an in-state foe in Indiana State. The Sycamores aren’t much of an opponent so tough to give the Boilermakers any real insight but Ryan Browne was good going 23-29 for 317 yards and 3 TDs. Eleven carries for 87 yards and a TD for former Gopher Fame Ijeboi to lead the Purdue backfield as well. They get a real opponent this weekend hosting Wake Forest who are three point favorites at 11 AM.

#18 Rutgers Scarlet Knights 0-1 (15)

Loss 37-21 vs UMass

Ooof, Rutgers. Getting completely outplayed by a team you paid $1.5 million to come in, who was 0-12 last year and had not beaten a power four team since 1979, and losing to your former DC in Joe Harasymiak who I’m sure was thrilled to take it to his former employer. And THEN you still have the world’s saddest fireworks show after. There might not be much to come back from after this one. Dylan Lonergan was not good throwing for three interceptions, and the run game was non existent with the Scarlet Knights averaging 1.1 yards per carry. The only bright spot? WR KJ Duff who was insane with 9 catches for 196 yards and three TDs. And is likely looking to transfer ASAP. Rutgers plays at Lonergan’s former school Boston College on Friday night as three point underdogs with USC looming the following week. An 0-3 start is definitely in the cards.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos