Big Ten Power Rankings (Week 1): Lots to Learn in Tough Season Openers

With five Big Ten matchups in Week 1, there's no easing into the college football season this year. And we already learned from Saturday's Week 0 game with Illinois and Nebraska that no favorite is safe this season.

Right from the get-go, the Big Ten wants answers. Who's the best? Which division has the edge? Can ranked teams go win on the road? And there's no waiting around with warm-up games against directional schools for a month.

It's Showdown Saturday right from the start, and the schedule is so good that it's going to take a Thursday night and Friday night to accommodate it all.

Week 1 is going to be very interesting in the Big Ten, with No. 4 Ohio State, No. 17 Indiana and No. 20 Penn State all opening on the road in crossover games with Big Ten West foes Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, respectively.

The season got started on Saturday with a Week 0 game in Champaign between Nebraska and Illinois, and the Illini were a surprised 30-22 winner despite being a 6.5-point underdog.

There's no movement at the top of our preseason rankings – although my Iowa readers think I'm nuts – but there's been some shuffling at the bottom after the Nebraska beatdown. Poor Scott Frost, he's in huge trouble already.

Here's the updated rankings in Week 1:

1. Ohio State Buckeyes  *** Last Week: 1

• Last season: Ohio State finished 7-1 in 2020, going 5-0 in the Big Ten and beating Northwestern in the conference championship game for their fourth straight league title. Beat Clemson in the College Football Playoffs semifinals, but lost to Alabama in the national championship game.
• National rankings: No. 4 in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls, with one first-place vote in AP poll. No. 3 in Sagarin ratings.
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 1
• Highest/lowest ranking: 1/1
• First game: Ohio State at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 2
• TV: FOX
• Fanduel point spread: Ohio State is a 13.5-point favorite. Over/under is 65.5 CLICK HERE
• The skinny: There is no doubt that Ohio State is clearly the best team in the Big Ten, and the hope in Columbus is that they can contend for league and national titles again. C.J. Stroud won the quarterback battle in fall camp to replace Justin Fields, and he's got a lot of pressure on him to be great from the get-go. “I thought he – over the body of work between the spring and then also through preseason – separated himself with his decision-making, his leadership skills and his accuracy," Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. "I’m proud of him, happy for him.”

2. Indiana Hoosiers  ***  Last Week: 2

• Last season: Indiana finished 6-2 in 2020, going 6-1 in the Big Ten for its highest league winning percentage since 1945. Indiana finished second in the Big Ten East. Indiana lost to Ole Miss in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
• National rankings: No. 17 in both the AP and Coaches polls. No. 24 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 2
• Highest/lowest ranking: 2/2
• First game: Indiana at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 4
  
• TV: Big Ten Network
• Fanduel point spread: Iowa is a 3.5-point favorite. Over/under is 45.5. (Note: Iowa opened as a 5.5-point favorite) CLICK HERE
• The skinny: So now the arguing can begin. There will be plenty of people who will rip me for having Indiana too high, but let's not forget that the Hoosiers had one of the best secondaries in the country last year and have all their corners back. They might have the league's best collection of linebackers too, led by Micah McFadden. But what makes Indiana a legitimate threat is the return of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. If he can stay healthy – a big if, after three straight seasons of injuries – he's a legit candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year. This is a reach, I know, but I think there's enough talent on both sides of the ball for it to be real. That 6-1 league record a year ago still resonates. "We can talk about competing for a Big Ten title now, and that's something that we really couldn't have done before,'' Indiana coach Tom Allen said. "We have the talent, but now we need to go out there and prove it.''

3. Wisconsin Badgers  ***  Last Week: 3

• Last season: Wisconsin finished 4-3 in 2020, going 3-3 in the Big Ten. The Badgers finished third in the Big Ten West. Wisconsin beat Wake Forest in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
• National rankings: No 12 in the AP poll, No. 15 in Coaches poll, No. 9 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 3
• Highest/lowest ranking: 3/3
• First game: Penn State at Wisconsin, Noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 4
  
• TV: FOX
• Fanduel point spread: Wisconsin is a 5.5-point favorite. Over/under is 50.5. The line has moved from 4.5 this week. CLICK HERE
• The skinny: The Badgers really struggled last year, and there were some moments where the offense really struggled. In their three straight losses to Northwestern Indiana and Iowa, they scored a total of only 20 points. Everyone in Madison is convinced that it was a COVID thing, and that 2021 will be much better. The gut reaction – at least for now – is that the Badgers will be better and are the best team in the Big Ten West. That big test against Penn State in the opener will tell us a lot. It's going to be interesting to see the progress of quarterback Graham Mertz in his second full year.

4. Penn State Nittany Lions  ***  Last Week: 4

• Last season: Penn State finished 4-5 in 2020, going 4-5 in the Big Ten and not playing in a bowl game for the first time since 2013. The Nittany Lions lost their first five games before winning the final four.
• National rankings: No. 19 in the AP poll, No. 20 in Coaches poll, No. 14 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 4
• Highest/lowest ranking: 4/4
• First game: Penn State at Wisconsin, Noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 4
  
• TV: FOX
• Fanduel point spread: Wisconsin is a 5.5-point favorite. Over/under is 50.5. The line has moved from 4.5 this week. CLICK HERE
• The skinny: Penn State couldn't get out of its own way last year, losing its first five games for the first time in the 127-year history of the program. But then they won their last four, and they've got quarterback Sean Clifford back for another go-round. Wide receiver Jahan Dotson had five 100-yard receiving games a year ago, and he'll be a tough cover. The guess is that 2020 was an anomaly, but we'll see. The Nittany Lions will have a lot to prove early, with the toughest crossover games against Wisconsin and Iowa, and B1G East games with ranked foes Indiana and Ohio State all before the end of the October. There's some blind faith at play here, for sure.

5. Iowa Hawkeyes  ***  Last Week: 5

• Last season: Iowa finished 6-2 in 2020, and was 6-2 in the Big Ten, finishing second in the Big Ten West, winning their final six games in a row after starting the season 0-2. They weren't able to play their Music City Bowl game because of COVID.
• National rankings: No 18 in both the AP and Coaches polls, No. 17 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 5
• Highest/lowest ranking: 5/5
• First game: Indiana at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 4
  
• TV: Big Ten Network
• Fanduel point spread: Iowa is a 3.5-point favorite. Over/under is 45.5. (Note: Iowa opened as a 5.5-point favorite) CLICK HERE
• The skinny: Here's another spot to start an argument, and Hawkeyes fans are sure to rail that they're ranked far too low. But despite winning six straight games to end last year, there are still a few gaps with this team, and they've got the nation's most brutal two-game start, facing No. 17 Indiana and No. 8 Iowa State right out of the gate. Iowa struggled to convert on third downs last year, and quarterback Spencer Petras, who was often inaccurate last year, has lost his top two receivers. They still have a lot to prove to me – and they'll have to do it early.

6. Northwestern Wildcats  ***  Last Week: 6

• Last season: Northwestern finished 7-2 in 2020, and went 6-1 in the Big Ten to win the Big Ten West. The Wildcats lost to Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game, but beat Auburn in the VRBO Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
• National rankings: No. 33 in the AP poll (receiving votes) and No. 27 in Coaches poll (receiving votes), No. 33 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 6
• Highest/lowest ranking: 6/6
• First game: Michigan State at Northwestern, 9 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 3
  
• TV: ESPN
• Fanduel point spread: Northwestern is a 3.5-point favorite. Over/under is 45.5 CLICK HERE
• The skinny: Northwestern has had a real roller-coaster ride the past three years. The Wildcats won the Big Ten West in 2018 and 2020, but went just 3-9 in 2019 when they struggled with quarterback issues. Former Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey was huge for them a year ago, but now they go back to Hunter Johnson at the helm. He was one of several QBs who struggled in '19, but he had a good fall camp. The defense is very good, but there will still be concerns about this offensive until proven otherwise. A very favorable schedule means the Wildcats can get off to a fast start.

7. Michigan Wolverines  ***  Last Week: 7

• Last season: Michigan went 2-4 in 2020, and 2-4 in the Big Ten, finishing tied for fifth in the Big Ten East. It was their lowest win total since 1962. The Wolverines did not play in a bowl game.
• National rankings: No. 32 in the AP poll (receiving votes) and No. 33 in Coaches poll (receiving votes), No. 36 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 7
• Highest/lowest ranking: 7/7
• First game: Western Michigan at Michigan, Noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 4
  
• TV: ESPN
• Fanduel point spread: Michigan is a 16.5-point favorite. Over/under is 67.5. (Note: Michigan opened as a 17.5-point favorite) CLICK HERE
• The skinny: A lot of people were surprised that Jim Harbaugh survived the disaster of 2020, but he probably got the biggest COVID pass of anyone, signing a contract extension. It's Michigan, so there's plenty of talent, but there is still a huge question mark at quarterback, and with this offense as a whole. If there's one B1G program that really needs to get off to a good start, it's Michigan. And that includes a big nonconference matchup with No. 20 Washington in Week 2.

8. Minnesota Golden Gophers *** Last Week: 8

• Last season: Minnesota went 3-4 in 2020, and was 3-4 in the Big Ten, finishing fourth in the Big Ten West. The Gophers did not play in a bowl game.
• National rankings: No. 41 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 8
• Highest/lowest ranking: 8/8
• First game: Ohio State at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 2
  
• TV: FOX
• Fanduel point spread: Ohio State is a 13.5-point favorite. Over/under is 65.5 CLICK HERE
• The skinny: Minnesota cracked through in 2019, winning 11 games and making noise as becoming a consistent contender in the Big Ten West. But last year, they went just 3-4 and there's a lot of unknowns about just how good this team can be this season. Tanner Morgan is back at quarterback, and the offensive line is very good. I'm saying it now. If there's a team capable of making a big jump in these rankings, it's the Gophers. That would be AFTER their season opener with Ohio State, of course.

9. Purdue Boilermakers  ***  Last Week: 10

• Last season: Purdue went 2-4 in 2020, and was 2-4 in the Big Ten, finishing sixth in the Big Ten West. The Boilermakers, who lost their last four games after starting the season 2-0, did not play in a bowl game.
• National rankings: No. 75 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 10
• Highest/lowest ranking: 9/10
• First game: Oregon State at Purdue, 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 4
  
• TV: FOX Sports 1
• Fanduel point spread: Purdue is a 6.5-point favorite. Over/under is 64.5. CLICK HERE
• The skinny: Purdue lost its last four games a year ago and their most exciting player in years, Rondale Moore, is gone. The bloom is off the rose on coach Jeff Brohm and since the Boilermakers got crushed 63-14 in the 2018 Music City Bowl, they are just 6-12 overall under Brohm, and only 5-10 in Big Ten games. There are still concerns at quarterback and many questions on how good this defense can be. The luxury of being in the Big Ten West is that there isn't much of a gap from top to bottom, so the Boilers can turn it around quickly. A 4-1 start would sure help, and that is a possibility considering the schedule, but to do that, the Boilers will have to get better each week. Too low? Probably, but they'll have to prove it on the field.

10. Illinois Fighting Illini  ***  Last Week: 14

• Last season: Illinois went 2-6 in 2020, and was 2-6 in the Big Ten, finishing last in the Big Ten West. The Illini, who had the worst record in the league last season, did not play in a bowl game.
• National rankings: No. 77 in Sagarin ratings, moving up from 102 after the win over Nebraska.
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 14
• Highest/lowest ranking: 10/14
• Week 0 game: Illinois 30, Nebraska 22 on Saturday in Champaign, Ill.
• Week 1 game: Texas-San Antonio at Illinois, 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 4.
• TV: Big Ten Network
• Fanduel point spread: Illinois is a 6.5-point favorite. Over/under is 48 CLICK HERE
• The skinny: Bret Bielema made a huge statement in the first game of the season, leading the Illini to a win over Nebraska despite being a 6.5-point underdog. He did it with a backup quarterback too, with Rutgers transfer Artur Sitkowski completing 12-of-15 passes for 124 yards and two scores after replacing starter Brandon Peters, who was injured in the first quarter. Illinois rushed for 167 yards too, with Mike Epstein leading the way with 75 yards. What a great way to start the season after last year's 2-6 disaster.

11. Maryland Terrapins  ***  Last Week: 11

• Last season: Maryland went 2-3 in 2020, and was 2-3 in the Big Ten, finishing fourth in the Big Ten East. The Gophers did not play in a bowl game.
• National rankings: No. 78 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 11
• Highest/lowest ranking: 11/11
• First game: West Virginia at Maryland, 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 4
  
• TV: ESPN
• Fanduel point spread: West Virginia is a 3.5-point favorite. Over/under is 56.5. CLICK HERE
• The skinny: The Mike Locksley era got derailed a bit by a lot of COVID issues last year, and the recruiting has been better. The question now is can they turn it into wins on the field? They'll be slight underdogs in the opener against West Virginia, but have winnable games afterward with Howard, Illinois and Kent State the rest of September. Some positive vibes early would go a long way in turning this program around.

12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights  ***  Last Week: 12

• Last season: Rutgers went 3-6 in 2020, and was 3-6 in the Big Ten, finishing tied for fifth in the Big Ten East. The Scarlet Knights did not play in a bowl game.
• National rankings: No. 89 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 12
• Highest/lowest ranking: 12/12
• First game: Temple at Rutgers, 6:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 2
  
• TV: Big Ten Network
• Fanduel point spread: Rutgers is a 13.5-point favorite. Over/under is 51.5. Rutgers was a 12.5-point favorite last week. CLICK HERE
• The skinny: Rutgers got three wins under Greg Schiano, which was great after the Chris Ash disaster. He's trying to get this program turned around, and there are some pieces on this roster, and more on the way. It's going to be interesting to see if Schiano can take this offense to the next level. Building on the thee league wins is a goal, but that might not be easy.

13. Michigan State Spartans  ***  Last Week: 13

• Last season: Michigan State went 2-5 in 2020, and was 2-5 in the Big Ten, finishing last in the Big Ten East. The Spartans did not play in a bowl game.
• National rankings: No. 99 in Sagarin ratings
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 13
• Highest/lowest ranking: 13/13
• First game: Michigan State at Northwestern, 9 p.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 3
  
• TV: ESPN
• Fanduel point spread: Northwestern is a 3.5-point favorite. Over/under is 45.5 CLICK HERE
• The skinny: Mel Tucker couldn't have been hired at a worse time at Michigan State, with the COVID pandemic making it nearly impossible to establish his program. The offense was the worst in the league a year ago, and there's no sign that it's dramatically better in 2021. This could be another year of taking some lumps for the Spartans, and we'll learn about which young guys are prepared to step up.

14. Nebraska Cornhuskers  ***  Last Week: 9

• Last season: Nebraska went 3-5 in 2020, and was 3-5 in the Big Ten, finishing fifth in the Big Ten West. The Cornhuskers did not play in a bowl game.
• National rankings: No. 108 in Sagarin ratings, dropping all the way from No. 57 after the loss to Illinois.
• Preseason B1G power ranking: 9
• Highest/lowest ranking: 14/14
• Week 0 game: Illinois 30, Nebraska 22 on Saturday in Champaign, Ill. 
• Week 1 game: Fordham at Nebraska, Noon ET 
• TV: Big Ten Network
• Fanduel point spread: There is no line on the game as of Sunday afternoon.
• The skinny: Scott Frost kept talking in fall camp that Nebraska was going to be much improved this year, but it was a same old story in the loss to Illinois, with bad turnovers and penalties costing them again. Since I had Illinois dead last a week ago, it's an easy move to slide the Cornhuskers all the way to the bottom of the rankings. And they aren't moving up until they start to prove it. What a disappointing way to start the season.