POWER RANKINGS

Power Rankings: Five undefeated teams top the conference

Ohio State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Purdue have yet to lose, just as we all predicted

By Auston Matricardi Nov 11, 2020, 11:42pm EST

Nebraska v Northwestern — Indiana Hoosiers legend Peyton Ramsey gives some Nebraska defender the business because of course he did.

Last weekend we saw one (1) good game surrounded by a whole bunch of beatdowns around the conference, some expected and some a little more surprising.

Let’s go:

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0)

Last week: 49-27 win vs. rutger

Up next: Covid Bye (OSU -21.5)

SP+ Ranking: 1

Previous CQ Ranking: 1

Ryan Day’s guys took care of business against another team they were favored to beat. Justin Fields may be the new Heisman frontrunner after going for 314 yards and five touchdowns, while Trevor Lawrence sat on the sideline in South Bend. Now they get two weeks to gameplan for Indiana thanks to Maryland’s pause in football activities. Thanks, Maryland.

2. Indiana Hoosiers (3-0)

Last week: 38-21 win vs. Michigan

Up next: Away vs. Michigan State (IU -7)

SP+ Ranking: 29

Previous CQ Ranking: 2

Indiana took the field against Michigan, was the better team straight up and is now ranked in the top 10. What a time to be alive. Allen/Wommack 2024.

3. Wisconsin Badgers (1-0)

Last week: Covid Bye

Up next: Away vs. Michigan (UW -4.5)

SP+ Ranking: 4

Previous CQ Ranking: 3

Ben Stein (standing in an empty classroom): Badgers?...Badgers?...Badgers?...Badgers?

4. Northwestern Wildcats (3-0)

Last week: 21-13 win vs. Nebraska

Up next: Away vs. Purdue (NW -2.5)

SP+ Ranking: 33

Previous CQ Ranking: 5

The ‘Cats shut out Nebraska in the second half to wrap up a comeback win against the Huskers, which helped them return to the AP Top 25 (No. 23) for the first time since 2018. Next up they’ve got Purdue, which might be the conference’s game of the week but could also be a trash fire snoozefest. Normal conference.

5. Purdue Boilermakers (2-0)

Last week: Covid Bye

Up next: Home vs. Northwestern

SP+ Ranking: 35

Previous CQ Ranking: 6

The Trains are gonna take on Northwestern without Rondale Moore, Jackson Anthrop and George Karlaftis among others which isn’t ideal. Even without them, they’ve got a pretty good shot at winning this one. The Northwestern defense has been good, but it could have its hands full with David Bell and Zander Horvath.

6. Maryland Terrapins (2-1)

Last week: 35-19 win at Penn State

Up next: Covid Bye

SP+ Ranking: 68

Previous CQ Ranking: 11

Just as Taulia Tagovailoa decided to Be Very Good At Football, the Terps have shut it down due to an elevated number of COVID-19 cases within the program. Despite that, they still went to State College and won convincingly, and you can’t take that away from them (for now at least).

7. Iowa Hawkeyes (1-2)

Last week: 49-7 win vs. Michigan State

Up next: Away vs. Minnesota (IA -3.5)

SP+ Ranking: 16

Previous CQ Ranking: 9

The Hawkeyes absolutely mollywhopped Sparty last weekend. Just put ‘em over their knee and gave ‘em a whoopin’. Like a Union Dugger-type beatin’ (this one is for a very specific audience, Greene County sound off in the comments).

They picked off Rocky Lombardi three (3) times and put up 226 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Pretty good formula there.

8. Michigan State Spartans (1-2)

Last week: 49-7 loss at Iowa

Up next: Home vs. Indiana (IU -7)

SP+ Ranking: 62

Previous CQ Ranking: 7

More like the Michigan State Fartins send tweet

9. Michigan Wolverines (1-2)

Last week: 38-21 loss at Indiana

Up next: Home vs. Wisconsin

SP+ Ranking: 18

Previous CQ Ranking: 8

Jim Harbaugh is 11-15 in games against AP-ranked opponents since becoming the head coach at Michigan. That’s it, that’s the bit.

10. Penn State Nittany Lions (0-3)

Last week: 35-19 loss vs. Maryland

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

SP+ Ranking: 14

Previous CQ Ranking: 4

Hoping last weekend was just a post-Ohio State hangover because if it wasn’t, this season could somehow go from promising to Ugly. To make matters worse, we received some heartbreaking news about star running back Journey Brown on Wednesday — he’s retiring from football.

Let’s all just take a couple of minutes to remember how much he ruled: