Ranking Oregon Ducks in Big Ten Power Rankings: Penn State Jumps Ohio State

The Oregon Ducks remain No. 1 in the Big Ten power rankings. However, there was some major shakeup below them, mainly Ohio Sate, Penn State, and Indiana.

Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq carries the ball as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks stay on top of the Big Ten power rankings. What changes were made in the rankings below them?

1. Oregon Ducks: 8-0 (Last Week: 1)

The Oregon Ducks dominated a ranked Illinois team 38-9. The game was over by halftime. The Ducks continue to show that they are the team to beat in the Big Ten.

Next Game: 11/2 at Michigan

2. Penn State Nittany Lions: 7-0 (Last Week: 4)

Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker (3) is chased by Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter (11) during the first quarter of their game Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. / Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Penn State jumps up a couple of spots after an impressive road win over Wisconsin. Wisconsin went into Saturday night’s game on a 3-game winning streak. The Nittany Lions controlled the game in the second half despite losing starting quarterback Drew Allar, pulling out a 28-13 win. Next up for Penn State is a showdown with Ohio State.

Next Game: 11/2 vs. Ohio State

3. Indiana Hoosiers: 8-0 (Last Week: 2)

Indiana drops a spot down, but it’s not the end of the world. The Hoosiers beat a bad Washington team 31-17. The bottom line is that they keep winning. Indiana is now 8-0 and has a real chance to crash the party in the College Football Playoff.

Next Game: 11/2 at Michigan State

4. Ohio State Buckeyes: 6-1 (Last Week: 3)

Ohio State dips down a split after an underwhelming 21-17 home win over Nebraska. The Huskers lost by 40 the week before, but the Buckeyes had to sweat it out. Maybe they were looking ahead to the Penn State game next week?

Next Game: 11/2 at Penn State

5. Illinois Fighting Illini: 6-2 (Last Week: 5)

Illinois got beat down by the No. 1 ranked team in the country, the Oregon Ducks, on Saturday. They can get right back on track at home next week vs. Minnesota.

Next Game: 11/2 vs. Minnesota

6. Nebraska Cornhuskers: 5-3 (Last Week: 7)

Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) looks to hand off during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Ohio State won 21-17. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Nebraska moves up a spot even after a loss. Coming off a disastrous performance a week ago, the Cornhuskers went into Ohio State and nearly pulled off a huge upset after being 25-point underdogs.

Next Game: 11/2 vs. UCLA

7. Michigan Wolverines: 5-3 (Last Week: 8)

Michigan took care of their instate rival, Michigan State, 24-17 Saturday night. They deserve to move up a spot.

Next Game: 11/2 vs. Oregon

8. Wisconsin Badgers 5-3 (Last Week: 6)

What a disappointing loss for Wisconsin vs. Penn State. The Badgers were red hot and hosted the undefeated Nittany Lions. They were right there in the game until Penn State outscored them 14-0 in the fourth quarter.

Next Game: 11/2 at Iowa

9. Minnesota Golden Gophers: 5-3 (Last Week: 9)

Minnesota handled Maryland 48-23 on Saturday. The Gophers have won three straight games. Watch out for them at Illinois next week.

Next Game: 11/2 at Illinois

10. Iowa Hawkeyes: 5-3 (Last Week: NR)

Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen (21) scores after returning a Northwestern punt to the endzone Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. / Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Iowa took care of business vs. Nebraska on Saturday 40-14. Yes, that is correct: Iowa scored 40 points. Welcome back to the top ten!

Next Game: 11/2 vs. Wisconsin

Dropped from Rankings: Michigan State

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