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Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 5: Dan Lanning's Oregon leads the rally while Michigan State stumbles

The Big Ten's power structure remains intact after Week 5. The league's top teams kept things rolling, as did Oregon and Ohio State. Surprises like Indiana exist, but by and large, the Big Ten didn't have a ton of Week 5 shakeups.

Here's our league power rankings after Week 5.

Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 5

Big Ten surprise Indiana is having a magical season in 2024. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)
Big Ten surprise Indiana is having a magical season in 2024. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

18. Purdue (1-3, lost to Nebraska 28-10)

A frustrating loss for Purdue against Nebraska. A scoreless first half led to defeat despite Nebraska going 1 for 8 on 3rd down conversions. Purdue gained just 226 total yards.

17. UCLA (1-3, lost to Oregon 34-13)

With 11 first downs and 172 total yards in the game, the Bruins were awful against the Ducks. UCLA's scoring was a pick-six and a pair of field goals and that's just not sustainable for Big Ten success.

16. Northwestern (2-2, off)

A week off didn't help or hurt a Wildcat team that looks destined to stay near the bottom of the league.

15. Michigan State (3-2, lost to Ohio State 38-7)

There was a fool's gold element to MSU's early success. Ohio State carved up the Spartans, running and passing basically at will. Aidan Chiles isn't bad, but his defense can't give up 38 points and expect to win the game.

14. Wisconsin (2-2, lost to USC 38-21)

New QB Braedyn Locke jump-started Wisconsin to a 21-10 halftime advantage and the Badgers seemed to have a new lease on life. But it didn't last long. Only one Wisconsin drive in the second half went further than 16 yards.

13. Minnesota (2-3, lost to Michigan 27-24)

It's a frustrating loss for the Gophers because they came to play in the second half, but had already dug an early 21-0 hole. Minnesota outgained Michigan 296-241 in the game, but the early snafus were too much to overcome.

12. Washington (3-2, lost to Rutgers 21-18)

Washington somehow managed to outgain Rutgers 521-299 but still lost the game. Three missed field goals were significant, but so were third down struggles. Despite gaining over 500 yards, UW was 2 for 12 on third down, while limited Rutgers was 7 for 15.

11. Maryland (3-2, lost to Indiana 42-28)

Maryland forced a +4 turnover advantage, but still couldn't get off the field enough to get the win. Indiana's passing game chewed up the Terp secondary.

10. Nebraska (4-1, beat Purdue 28-10)

The Dylan Raiola stardom tour continues. The freshman QB is the real deal and a surprisingly opportunistic Husker defense (5 sacks and a pick six) kept the Huskers on the good side of the ledger.

9. Iowa (3-1, off)

Iowa remains smack in the middle of the league.

8. Illinois (4-1, lost to Penn State 21-7)

The offense didn't get things done, gaining only 219 yards and rushing for an anemic 34 yards. The defense wasn't bad, but seven points won't guarantee a win against many teams.

7. Rutgers (4-0, beat Washington 21-18)

Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good. The Scarlet Knights came down on the lucky side of things in being outgained by 222 yards but still getting a win.

6. Michigan (4-1, beat Minnesota 27-24)

Michigan again won ugly, which is going to be the play. Alex Orji has now passed for 118 yards combined in his first two starts but has two wins to show for it. The defense is fierce, but a team with a good offense should be able to outlast UM.

5. USC (3-1, beat Wisconsin 38-21)

USC's defense and QB Miller Moss rallied from a ragged first half for a comfortable win. Moss had 308 yards and three scores and a nice pick-six clinched the victory for the Trojans.

4. Indiana (5-0, beat Maryland 42-28)

The surprise of the Big Ten this season, Indiana has had some good fortune, but their offense is legitimate and their defense seems to do just enough to keep things rolling.

3. Penn State (4-0, beat Illinois 21-7)

Penn State chewed up a solid Illinois team on the ground, outrushing them 241 yards to 34. Also, significant credit is due to a PSU defense that allowed only seven points while amassing seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

2. Oregon (4-0, beat UCLA 34-13)

The Ducks largely are who we thought they were. Dillon Gabriel put up 278 yards and three scores. His superb cast of receivers should give Oregon plenty of big-play options.

1. Ohio State (4-0, beat Michigan 38-7)

OSU remains atop the Big Ten. The Buckeyes rushed for 185 yards and passed for 298 more. The defense came up with four sacks and forced three turnovers. OSU remains the top team in the Big Ten by a decent range.

What did you think of the Big Ten in Week Five? Share your thoughts and comments below!

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