Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Two
By Josh Shaw
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes came out rusty and didn’t win in impressive fashion against Buffalo. They still grinded out a 40 to 20 win. Expect the Buckeyes, like others who didn’t look good in week one, to come out in week two and clean up some mistakes.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. San Diego State 3:30 PM ET (ABC)
2. Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines won in convincing fashion against the Chippewas of Central Michigan 59 to 9. There was never doubt in this game. The Wolverines looked like the most complete of all Big Ten teams in the opening week.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. Notre Dame 8:00 PM ET (ESPN)
3. Northwestern Wildcats
The Wildcats went on the road and took down the PAC 12’s Cal Bears in Berkeley. They had the most impressive win of anyone in the conference. The Wildcats still look suspect on defense so will see if they can grow from their miscues in week two.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. Syracuse 6:00 PM ET (BTN)
4. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers played some great football on Saturday. They defeated the UMASS Minutemen 56 to 0 at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers likely won’t face a challenge until they matchup against Arizona State in Tempe in a couple of weeks. Only then will we know if the Badgers are for real this season.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. Tennessee Tech Noon ET (BTN)
5. Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Cornhuskers narrowly escaped a loss to Wyoming last Saturday evening. They won by a final score of 37 to 34. The Huskers must find a way to improve defensively after giving up over 600 yards of offense. With UCLA looming a week from Saturday, the Huskers only have two weeks to get things corrected.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. Southern Miss 6:00 PM ET (BTN)
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions defeated Syracuse by six points at aneutral site game at MetLife Stadium. They shouldn’t face another test until Central Florida comes to Happy Valley in a couple of weeks.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. Eastern Michigan Noon ET (BTN)
7. Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Gophers opened their 2013 campaign against UNLV last Thursday. Minnesota came out flat in the first half but turned it up a few notches in the second half and blew the Rebels out of Minneapolis. The Gophers non-conference doesn’t figure to be a problem until they play San Jose State in week four.
Next Game: @ New Mexico State 8:00 PM ET
8. Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers played Indiana State of the FCS to begin their season last Thursday. And just as we thought before the season started, the Hoosiers have an explosive offense. They led the Big Ten in scoring this last week by scoring 28 points more than anyone else in the conference. After having a cupcake to start the season they will face the tough option attack of Navy in week two. We will learn a lot more about Indiana this week.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. Navy 6:00 PM ET (BTN)
9. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans defeated Western Michigan last Friday night 26 to 13. It was a great effort by the Michigan State defense. The offense still needs a lot of improvement as they were very disappointing on that side of the ball. Michigan State’s competition won’t pick up until they face Notre Dame in South Bend in a few weeks. If the offense hasn’t improve much by thenthey could be in big trouble going into conference play.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. South Florida Noon ET (ESPNU)
10. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes were close to beating Northern Illinois at home on opening day but they fell short. They showed flashes of improvement at the quarterback position which is huge considering how much they struggled at the position last season. The Hawkeyes have a very winnable game next week against Missouri State before they get tested against instate rival Iowa State.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. Missouri State Noon ET (BTN)
11. Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illini won but it was not impressive. They faced the lowly Southern Illinois Salukis from the FCS and struggled to hang on by needing a late goal line stand. This may spell trouble for a team who must play against Cincinnati and Washington in the next few weeks.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. Cincinnati Noon ET (ESPN2)
12. Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers struggled badly on the road against Cincinnati in Coach Darrel Hazel’s debut. Purdue has a chance to get back on track this weekend against Indiana State at home. The Boilermakers have Notre Dame coming up, so the schedule doesn’t look to be getting any easier as the season rolls along.
Next Game: Saturday September 7 vs. Indiana State Noon ET (BTN)