Here is a look at my latest power rankings for the Big Ten following the results of Week 2.
Last Week: 18
Week 2 result: Won vs. Rhode Island, 48-0
Minnesota got an easy rebound at home against an FCS opponent after dropping the season opener. But they will have to do a little more than dominate an FCS opponent to prove themselves worthy of moving up these power rankings.
Up Next: vs. Nevada
Last Week: 13
Week 2 result: Lost to Duke, 26-20 (OT)
Northwestern’s Cam Porter had a solid game but the Wildcats were unable to come away with a win. A potential game-tying touchdown pass fell incomplete at the end of the second overtime against the visiting Duke Blue Devils. Northwestern should get a rebound win next week though.
Up Next: vs. Eastern Illinois
Last Week: 16
Week 1 result: Won vs. Indiana State, 49-0
Purdue enjoyed an odd week off in Week 2 of the regular season. The extra time to prepare for a big home game against Notre Dame was essential. That game just got a little more interesting after Notre Dame was stunned at home by Northern Illinois.
Up Next: vs. Notre Dame
Last Week: 17
Week 2 result: Won vs. Western Illinois, 77-3
Indiana scored a program-record 77 points and racked up a program-record 703 yards of offense in an easy blowout of FCS Western Illinois. The Hoosiers are 2-0 under new head coach Curt Cignetti. Now they hit the road and visit a new Big Ten opponent on the West Coast.
Up Next: at UCLA
Last Week: 12
Week 1 result: Won 16-13 at Hawaii
UCLA was off this week after opening up the season with a road win at Hawaii. The Bruins are now the first new Big Ten team to play a conference game next week when Indiana comes to Los Angeles.
Up Next: vs. Indiana
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Last Week: 10
Week 2 result: Lost to Michigan State, 27-24
Maryland suffered the first loss of the Big Ten conference schedule this season by dropping a home game to Michigan State. The lack of a solid rushing attack was concerning to see.
Up Next: at Virginia
Last Week: 15
Week 2 result: Won at Maryland, 27-24
Michigan State took over first place in the early Big Ten standings with a road win at Maryland, and they are starting off the new era under Jonathan Smith with a confidence-boosting 2-0 record.
Up Next: vs. Prairie View A&M
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Last Week: 14
Week 2 result: Won vs. Kansas, 23-17
Illinois came though for a big fourth quarter and forced multiple turnovers against Kansas in a revenge game situation for the Illini.
Up Next: vs. Central Michigan
Last Week: 8
Week 2 result: Lost to Iowa State, 20-19
Kirk Ferentz returned to the Iowa sideline after serving his one-game suspension, and the Hawkeyes dropped their second straight home game in the rivalry to Iowa State. Welcome back, Kirk?
Up Next: vs. Troy
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Last Week: 11
Week 2 result: Won vs. Akron, 49-17
Rutgers has yet to truly be tested but Greg Schiano has this program feeling good with the way they have taken care of business these first two weeks. They will get a week off before their first real test of the season at Virginia Tech in two weeks.
Up Next: at Virginia Tech (Week 4)
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Last Week: 9
Week 2 result: Won vs. South Dakota, 27-13
The Badgers aren’t exactly blowing the doors off the competition early on, but it has been more than adequate enough to pick up a couple of wins before heading into a monster game next week against Alabama. Things get much more difficult next week, but Madison should be fired up.
Up Next: vs. Alabama
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Last Week: 4
Week 2 result: Lost to Texas, 31-12
Michigan losing at home to Texas was not shocking to see, as the Longhorns were favored going in and the popular pick by many. But the lopsidedness of the game was disappointing to see from Michigan as it was clear this is nowhere close to the same team that won it all a season ago.
Up Next: vs. Arkansas State
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Last Week: 7
Week 2 result: Won vs. Colorado, 28-10
Nebraska fans got the kind of fun night they have been dreaming about for a while. Maybe a win over Colorado doesn’t carry the most weight in the world, but it was a high-profile situation for the Cornhuskers and they delivered a fun one for the fans in Lincoln.
Up Next: vs. Northern Iowa
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Last Week: 6
Week 2 result: Won vs. Eastern Michigan, 30-9
We still have to wait and see what Washignton has to offer before getting a real sense for what this team is, and we may get that next week in the non-conference iteration of the Apple Cup.
Up Next: vs. Washington State
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Last Week: 2
Week 2 result: Won vs. Boise State, 37-34
Oregon had another tight battle in Week 2 at home, this time against Boise State. The Ducks needed a game-winning field goal as time expired to break a 34-34 tie and the special teams came to the rescue on multiple occasions for the Ducks. Speed still can be a difference maker, but Oregon has some things to tidy up before jumping into Big Ten play.
Up Next: at Oregon State
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Last Week: 3
Week 2 result: Won vs. Bowling Green, 34-27
Penn State was favored by 35 points but only scored 34 points against Bowling Green. The Nittany Lions didn’t take a lead on the Falcons until just past the midway point of the third quarter and the defense showed many signs of weakness in the first half. They will have some work to do in the early bye week.
Up Next: vs. Kent State (Week 4)
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Last Week: 5
Week 2 result: Won vs. Utah State, 41-0
USC followed up its season-opening win over LSU by absolutely dominating Utah State late Saturday night. The only thing that could stop the Trojans seemed to be a power outage in the Coliseum in the fourth quarter. USC gets a week off before heading on the road for its first Big Ten conference game, and it should be a big one.
Up Next: at Michigan (Week 4)
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Last Week: 1
Week 2 result: Won vs. Western Michigan, 56-0
At least there was one team in the Big Ten who looked the way they should. Ohio State made quick and easy work of Western Michigan and goes into the early bye week still looking like the clear team to beat in the Big Ten.
Up Next: vs. Marshall (Week 4)
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