Power Rankings: Michigan, Indiana and Northwestern on the rise after Week 1

One week’s down! They haven’t shut it all down...yet. Let’s get to the rankings.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)

Last week: 52-17 win vs. Nebraska

Up next: Away vs. Penn State (OSU -12)

SP+ Ranking: 1

Previous CQ Ranking: 1

Unless you’re Twitter user @Huskers4Lyfe, you probably weren’t expecting — or even considering — an upset in Columbus this past weekend. The Buckeyes showed that they were the clearly superior team in this matchup, something they should be expected to do plenty of times as the season progresses.

2. Michigan Wolverines (1-0)

Last week: 49-24 win at Minnesota

Up Next: Home vs. Michigan State (UM -24.5)

SP+ Ranking: 9

Previous CQ Ranking: 5

I didn’t expect Michigan to win at Minnesota. I ~really~ didn’t expect Michigan to suplex the Gophers through the announcer’s table a la Perc Angle. Joe Milton had a good day and Michigan had some big plays on the ground. Should be looking at 2-0 now with Michigan State coming to town this weekend.

3. Wisconsin Badgers (1-0)

Last week: 45-7 win vs. Illinois

Up next: Away vs. Nebraska (WIS -3)

SP+ Ranking: 4

Previous CQ Ranking: 4

Illinois wasn’t much of a challenge, clearly. If these were normal times, I’d say that I don’t expect Nebraska to be much of a challenge either. But these aren’t normal times, and now we’re questioning whether the two teams will even play this weekend due to a potential coronavirus outbreak among the Badgers. Even worse for Wisconsin — one player who we know has the virus for sure is quarterback Graham Mertz, the guy who tied the school record for passing touchdowns with five against Illinois. He’ll have to sit out for an extended period of time, at least 21 days, before returning to action.

So Week 1 was kind to Wisconsin. The rest of the season may be a completely different story.

4. Indiana Hoosiers (1-0)

Last week: WOOHOO HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Up next: Away vs. buttger (IU -12)

SP+ Ranking: 25

Previous CQ Ranking: 6

5. Penn State Nittany Lions (0-1)

Last week: 36-35 loss at Indiana

Up next: Home vs. Ohio State

SP+ Ranking: 8

Previous CQ Ranking: 2

Penn State played pretty well except for the fact that THEY LOST!!! 99.9 percent win probability and you lose??? In this economy??? (i do sincerely believe that they nittany lions will be fine — good, even — after they get through this weekend)

6. Minnesota Golden Gophers (0-1)

Last week: 49-24 loss vs. Michigan

Up next: Away vs. Maryland (MINN -20)

SP+ Ranking: 33

Previous CQ Ranking: 3

Mohamed Ibrahim can really run the ball. Everything else? Well...let’s wait and see.

7. Purdue Boilermakers (1-0)

Last week: 24-20 win vs. Iowa

Up next: Away vs. Illinois (PU -7)

SP+ Ranking: 36

Previous CQ Ranking: 8

Hi, yes, I would like everybody to remember that I kinda predicted Purdue’s win over the Hawkeyes in last week’s power rankings. Choo Choo.

8. Northwestern Wildcats (1-0)

Last week: 43-3 win vs. Maryland

Up next: Away vs. Iowa

SP+ Ranking: 30

Previous CQ Ranking: 11

The curse of Mick McCall has been broken! The Wildcats have relearned how to score points! Maryland may just be troublingly bad, but for now let’s be excited for Peyton Ramsey, who went 23-for-30 for 212 yards and a tuddy in the air, while running for another.

9. Iowa Hawkeyes (0-1)

Last week: 24-20 loss at Purdue

Up next: Home vs. Northwestern (IA -2.5)

SP+ Ranking: 32

Previous CQ Ranking: 7

Only scoring touchdowns in the second quarter was a bold strategy, and it absolutely didn’t work out for Iowa last week. If they want to stay alive in the race for the division title they’ll need to rebound against Northwestern.

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-1)

Last week: 52-17 loss at Ohio State

Up next: Home vs. Wisconsin

SP+ Ranking: 42

Previous CQ Ranking: 9

11. Illinois Fighting Illini (0-1)

Last week: 45-7 loss at Wisconsin

Up next: Home vs. Purdue

SP+ Ranking: 75

Previous CQ Ranking: 12

Is it good when your quarterback’s rushing yards are in the same ballpark as his passing yards? And both are under 100? And he didn’t score a touchdown?

12. Maryland Terrapins (0-1)

Last week: 43-3 loss at Northwestern

Up next: Home vs. Minnesota

SP+ Ranking: 99

Previous CQ Ranking: 13

Taulia Tagovailoa: Yikes!

14. Michigan State Spartans (0-1)

Last week: 38-27 loss vs. rutger

Up next: Away vs. Michigan

SP+ Ranking: 60

Previous CQ Ranking: 10

Burn the stadium for insurance money and disband the program.