1. OHIO STATE (1-0)
Previous: 2. Last week: W 77-31 vs. Oregon State.
The Dwayne Haskins era is off and running. The Beavers were never likely to put up much of a challenge against the Buckeyes, but 77 points is still 77 points. Haskins threw for 313 yards and five touchdowns. Mike Weber rolled up 186 rushing yards and three scores in a backfield that looks to be among the league’s most loaded. OSU opens Big Ten play at home against Rutgers on Saturday.
2. WISCONSIN (1-0)
Previous: 1. Last week: W 34-3 vs. Western Kentucky.
Nothing spectacular from the Badgers in Week One against the Hilltoppers, but a young defense played well. UW's offense can run the ball, but its overall reliability is going to ultimately be decided by how well Alex Hornibrook plays and whether the team can get enough production from a wide receiver corps that’s been thinned by suspensions. Paul Chryst’s team is a heavy favorite at home against New Mexico on Saturday.
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3. MICHIGAN STATE (1-0)
Previous: 3. Last week: W 38-31 vs. Utah State.
After the top two, nearly all of the early contenders in the league played close games in Week One. The Spartans got a big scare at home against the Aggies, but survived. At this stage, it’s too early to tell if these results are an anomaly or problematic, so for now we’ll opt to believe in MSU’s depth and experience.
4. PENN STATE (1-0)
Previous: 4. Last week: W 45-38 (OT) vs. Appalachian State.
Penn State was the least impressive of the top four, nearly losing at home to a Sun Belt opponent, albeit a talented one. An overhauled Nittany Lions squad has time to make strides with Pitt, Kent State and Illinois the next three weeks, but the Buckeyes loom at the end of September.
5. MICHIGAN (0-1)
Previous: 5. Last week: L 24-14 at No. 12 Notre Dame.
Here’s a result that many will put too much stock in because Jim Harbaugh is a lightning rod. The Irish are good and Michigan probably is, too. The Shea Patterson era obviously didn’t get off to a blazing hot start, but the Wolverines will still be a stingy bunch. Now watch, words will be eaten before long. The offensive line is perhaps the biggest concern, and Tarik Black's foot injury doesn't help, either.Â
6. IOWA (1-0)
Previous: 7. Last week: W 33-7 vs. Northern Illinois.
It took Iowa more than 37 minutes to find the end zone against a stingy Northern Illinois outfit — sound familiar, Husker fans? — before running away late. One week isn’t enough to move any of the top five teams out of those spots, but Iowa might be the best bet to work its way in over the coming weeks. The Hawkeyes have back-to-back in-state games against Iowa State and Northern Iowa the next two weeks.
7. NORTHWESTERN (1-0, 1-0)
Previous: 6. Last week: W 31-27 at Purdue.
Northwestern earned a big win on the road at Purdue to open the season. Who knows how the middle of the West will shake out, so every victory is a critical one. Clayton Thorson played and played well, but also split time with TJ Green. The Wildcats struggled at times to contain Purdue's offensive speed, and they'll face faster units as fall progresses.Â
8. MARYLAND (1-0)
Previous: 10. Last week: W 34-29 vs. No. 23 Texas.
The Terps posted the most impressive win of the season, knocking off No. 23 Texas despite all of the emotions in the wake of offensive lineman Jordan McNair’s summer death and the fallout, which includes D.J. Durkin’s continued stay on administrative leave. But Matt Canada had Maryland ready and that offense showed some signs of being really explosive.
9. PURDUE (0-1, 0-1)
Previous: 9. Last week: L 31-27 vs. Northwestern.
Freshman back Rondale Moore took the first half by storm, rolling up 300-plus total yards in the opening 30 minutes, but the Boilermakers couldn’t close. Purdue surrendered 31 first-half points and shut out Northwestern from there, but couldn’t dig out of the hole.
10. NEBRASKA (0-0)
Previous: 8. Last week: Canceled vs. Akron.
We didn’t learn much after Mother Nature scowled Saturday night. Scott Frost said he thought his team was ready before the lightning arrived. Colorado should provide an early measuring stick after the Buffs ripped up Colorado State.
11. INDIANA (1-0)
Previous: 12. Last week: W 38-28 at Florida International.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Peyton Ramsey did what he needed to in order to help the Hoosiers to a road win. But 27 attempts to get to 156 yards won’t cut it for long. IU is yet another team using two signal-callers, after Michael Penix Jr. also saw playing time.
12. MINNESOTA (1-0)
Previous: 11. Last week: W 48-10 vs. New Mexico State.
The Golden Gophers beat up New Mexico State and got contributions from all over to do it. Freshman quarterback Zack Annextad threw for 220 and a pair of touchdowns, and Rodney Smith rushed for 153 of UM’s 295. Fresno State and Miami (Ohio) give the Gophers a chance to get through the nonconference on a good note, but neither are a foregone conclusion.
13. RUTGERS (1-0)
Previous: 13. Last week: W 35-7 vs. Texas State.
The Scarlet Knights got a win in Week One but now have to travel to Ohio State on Saturday. Freshman quarterback Artur Sitkowski threw three interceptions in his debut, but Rutgers forced four turnovers and held Texas State to 176 total yards. That sort of defense, well, isn’t likely against the Buckeyes.
14. ILLINOIS (1-0)
Previous: 14. Last week: W 31-24 vs. Kent State.
Illinois came from behind to beat Kent State at home in Week One. That about says it. A.J. Bush, the former Husker quarterback, threw for 190 and rushed for 139 in his debut for the Illini.