Big Ten Top Ten: Conference's football teams ranked ahead of Week 7 action
Welcome to the Big Ten Top Ten. Every week, from now until the end of the season, I will be ranking the ten best football teams in the Big Ten Conference. These rankings will be based on each team's performance so far this season and will be adjusted weekly.
― No. 1 - Ohio State (5-0, 2-0)
Last Week (LW): vs Iowa W 35-7
Next Week (NW): @ Oregon
It's no surprise that Ohio State takes the top spot. Through five games, the Buckeyes have all the looks of a national championship-caliber team.
Starting with the defense, No. 2 Ohio State leads the Big Ten in both yards allowed per game (202.4) and points allowed per game (6.8). The Buckeyes defense played near-perfect this past weekend against Iowa, allowing just 4.7 yards per play and forcing three turnovers from Hawkeye quarterback Cade McNamara.
The offense has been just as high-powered as the defense, ranking second in the Big Ten in points per game (46) and yards per game (510.2). Receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith are stars in the making, and the running back trio of Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson and James Peoples has helped the team rack up the fourth-most rushing yards in the Big Ten (1111).
― No. 2 - Oregon (5-0, 2-0)
LW: vs Michigan State W 31-10
NW: vs Ohio State
Following the Associate Press Poll rankings, Oregon enters the week as the second-best in the Big Ten.
The offense, led by Dillon Gabriel, is third in the Big Ten in points per game (35) and fifth in total yards (458.6). Last week against Michigan State, the team combined for 477 yards of offense, highlighted by a 166-yard game on the ground from Jordan James.
On the other side of the ball, the Ducks' defense is sixth in yards per game (263.4) and ninth in points per game (17). No. 3 Oregon has held its three most recent opponents to just 37 points combined.
― No. 3 - Penn State (5-0, 2-0)
LW: vs UCLA W 27-11
NW: @ USC
Sticking with the AP Poll, Penn State slots in as the third-best in the Big Ten.
The Nittany Lions' offense is fourth in points per game (34.4) and total yards (461.8). Quarterback Drew Allar performed well last weekend against UCLA, completing 17 of his 24 passes and throwing for 237 yards and a touchdown.
The defense has been outstanding as well, as No. 4 Penn State is allowing the second-fewest yards in the Big Ten (233.2) and third-fewest points per game (11.4).
― No. 4 - Indiana (6-0, 3-0)
LW: @ Northwestern W 41-24
NW: vs Nebraska
The final undefeated team on the list — and the only one to have played six games — Indiana slides in at fourth in the rankings.
The Hoosiers' offense has been one of the most fun to watch, and for good reason, as it ranks first in the Big Ten in points per game (47.5) and yards per game (515.7). Quarterback Kurtis Rourke leads all the other Big Ten signal callers in passing yards (1,752) and touchdowns (14). His leading receiver, Elijah Sarrett, slots in at number two in receiving yards (513) with just 29 receptions.
No. 18 Indiana's defense has been performing well, too. Linebacker Aiden Fisher leads the Big Ten in tackles with 55, and Mikail Kamara spearheads the pass rush with five sacks. The Hoosiers have totaled the second-most sacks in the Big Ten with 19.
― No. 5 - Illinois (4-1, 1-1)
LW: BYE
NW: vs Purdue
Following a brutal 21-7 loss to the Nittany Lions, No. 23 Illinois comes out of its bye week with a favorable matchup against Purdue.
― No. 6 - Nebraska (5-1, 2-1)
LW: vs Rutgers W 14-7
NW: @ Indiana
The bottom five teams are all nearly interchangeable and could realistically beat each other on any given Saturday. For now, though, Nebraska sits above the rest after its 14-7 win over Rutgers.
The Cornhuskers have played solidly through six weeks. The offense ranks tenth in yards per game (381.3) and the defense ranks seventh (272.5). Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola is coming off his worst game for Nebraska, having gone 13 for 27 for 134 yards and an interception.
― No. 7 - Washington (4-2, 2-1)
LW: vs Michigan W 27-17
NW: @ Iowa
Following a 21-18 loss to the Knights, where Washington missed three field goals, the Huskies bounced back and took down then-No. 10 Michigan this past weekend.
The Washington offense has arguably one of the biggest disparities in the Big Ten, ranking third in yards per game (462.7) but 13th in points per game with 25.5.
Last week, the Huskies' defense stepped up against a Wolverine offense that can no longer produce like it did in 2023. The defense ranks fourth in the Big Ten in points allowed per game (13.2) and fifth in yards allowed (256).
― No. 8 - USC (3-2, 1-2)
LW: @ Minnesota L 24-17
NW: vs Penn State
This will be the first week where USC is not ranked, and it comes after a brutal road loss to Minnesota. The Trojans have had an up-and-down season so far, beating then-No. 13 LSU in Week 1, shutting out Utah State 48-0 in Week 2 and losing to then-No. 18 Michigan in Week 3.
The Caleb Williams-less offense hasn't seen as much success this year with Miller Moss at the helm, ranking seventh in the Big Ten in total yards per game (442.4). Moss' longest completion last weekend went for just 18 yards, as he threw for 200 yards against the top passing defense in the Big Ten.
How this team bounces back against Penn State on Saturday will be a big indicator of what they can become at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
― No. 9 - Rutgers (4-1, 1-1)
LW: @ Nebraska L 14-7
NW: vs Wisconsin
Despite losing its first game of the season last weekend, Rutgers slots in at number nine on the list. After winning their first bowl game since 2014, the Scarlet Knights have improved from their 2023 season and have become a formidable team in the Big Ten.
Minnesota transfer and senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, alongside senior running back Kyle Monangai, have improved the Rutgers offense from where it stood a year ago. The Knights are eighth in yards per game (395.2) and seventh in points per game (29.4).
The defense for Rutgers had a strong performance against Nebraska, holding Raiola to just 134 passing yards — his worst passing performance in collegiate play. So far this season, the Knights have let up 334 yards per game (13th) but just 15.8 points per game (8th) to opponents.
― No. 10 - Michigan (4-2, 2-1)
LW: @ Washington L 27-17
NW: BYE
Although still ranked, this No. 24 Michigan squad is the shell of its 2023 championship team. Now on their third quarterback, the Wolverines struggle in the passing game and can no longer lean so heavily on the running game.
The defense that was widely considered the best in college football heading into 2024 has failed to live up to expectations. Michigan allows the fifth-most yards per game in the Big Ten (336.2) and is 15th in points allowed per game (22.3).
While the Wolverines have played a slightly more difficult schedule up to this point, their matchup against Illinois following the bye will determine if this team deserves to stay ranked.
For more updates on the Rutgers football team, follow @TargumSports on X.
To view more of Philip Jaccoma's work, follow @PJaccoma on X.
