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Big Ten: Football Power Rankings After Week Two

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Every week here at Writing Illini, we’ll provide some serious #hottakes on the state of Big Ten football through our power rankings.

Week two in the Big Ten was much more subdued than the previous week. Everyone, well, almost everyone, was able to take care of business in games where they were favored.

Northwestern, what can we say? “Chicago’s Big Ten Team.” I don’t think anyone, myself included, foresaw THIS much of a struggle early in the year. So, where did they end up this week?

(Editor’s note: If you’re in the top five, you get a picture. After that, I just get lazy.)

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (Last Week: 1 | ⇔)

Sep 10, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Ho-hum. Even after finishing the first quarter 3-3. Another dominating win against a vastly inferior opponent. Things now get very interesting this week with a road trip to No. 14 Oklahoma. Does the young, athletic D stop Baker Baker Touchdown Maker?

2. Michigan Wolverines (LW: 2 | ⇔)

Sep 10, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Kyle Kalis (67) receives congratulations from head coach Jim Harbaugh after a touchdown drive during the second half against the UCF Knights at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

You know things are going pretty well when the biggest news coming out of your game is speculation around whether or not your head coach ate his own booger on the sideline. (Side note: totally did). Having Colorado this week at home will give us a bit more of an indication on where this team is at, though not quite to the same extent as their arch rivals.

3. Wisconsin Badgers (LW: 3 | ⇔)

Sep 10, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Corey Clement (6) stiff arms Akron Zips defensive back Bryce Jones (17) during the game against the Akron Zips at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin defeated Akron 54-10. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Wisconsin certainly justified their gigantic leap from NR to No. 10 in the polls after previously upsetting LSU, thoroughly handling Akron with their stout defense. Let’s hope there’s no looking ahead to a big week four match-up in East Lansing with a trap game coming up.

4. Iowa Hawkeyes (LW: 4 | ⇔)

Sep 10, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes carry out the Cy-Hawk Trophy after beating the Iowa State Cyclones at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes beat the Cyclones 42-3. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Is the Iowa State game even a rivalry right now? I bet most in Iowa City would chuckle at that notion, though still happy to have the Cy-Hawk trophy. Steady in our rankings right now, like teams 1-3, until Big Ten play begins.

5. Michigan State Spartans (LW: 5 | ⇔) 

Sep 2, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio (C) leads his team onto the field prior to their game against the Furman Paladins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

MSU was off this week, and maybe that was a good thing. Sparty has a big opportunity this week to show that they are still the real deal after a lackluster week one performance, traveling to South Bend to take on No. 18 Notre Dame.

6. Nebraska Cornhuskers (LW: 6 | ⇔)

Tommy Armstrong set a school record for scoring in a route of Wyoming. Even though Vegas has them favored by 3 right now vs. No. 22 Oregon this week (basically a field goal for being at home), I think we’d all be pleasantly surprised with a win (and maybe a chance to move up in the rankings).

7. Minnesota Golden Gophers (LW: 7 | ⇔)

A slow start vs. Indiana State didn’t stop them, as the offense finally came to life in the second quarter and didn’t look back. They’re off this week.

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8. Penn State Nittany Lions (LW: 8 | ⇔)

We’re not penalizing PSU this week for a loss — it was a tough road trip and they nearly pulled it out in Pittsburgh. Personally, I thought it was the most entertaining game of the slate during week two.

9. Maryland Terrapins (LW: 11 | ⇑2)

Finally, some movement! Maryland handled Florida Int’l on the road better than IU did before them, and they definitely benefit from a couple losses by teams ahead of them in last week’s rankings. Another trip to Florida (UCF) is up this week.

10. Indiana Hoosiers (LW: 12 | ⇑2)

Indiana is benefiting in largely the same fashion as Maryland, but let’s give credit where credit’s due: the defense is vastly improved this year, shutting out Ball State in the first half. They’re off this week.

11. Illinois Fighting Illini (LW: 9 | ⇓2)

Even though the final score difference was only 9 points better than last year’s loss at UNC, this was a vastly more competitive game until the 4th quarter. Nonetheless, bad penalties and a very shaky performance from QB Wes Lunt doomed the Illini this week. Will they rebound against a feisty Western Michigan this week?

12. Purdue Boilermakers (LW: 13 | ⇑1)

Getting bumped up even after a loss at home is a lucky sign for the Boilermakers. Cincinnati is tough, so bonus points for scheduling!

13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (LW: 14 | ⇑1)

Finally someone to pound on for Rutgers, taking care of Howard easily (though after a puzzling 1st quarter deficit). It had to be a nice feeling after the long road trip out west to begin the season.

14. Northwestern Wildcats (LW: 10 | ⇓4)

Our biggest movers this week, and not in a good way. Before last weekend, Illinois State had NEVER defeated a Big Ten opponent, let alone on the road in said Big Ten team’s house. Watch this devastating doink off the left upright!

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