Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 9: Oregon tops the leaderboard, Michigan back on track with sweet win
Injuries and attrition have started to tighten up the Big Ten. Teams like Ohio State, Penn State and Indiana had some struggles in Week 9. Michigan picked up a big win and the bottom of the league continued to jumble. Here's where the teams of the Big Ten stand after Week 9.
Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 9
18. Purdue (1-6)
The Boilermakers stay at the bottom. They're probably just glad that relegation doesn't exist in college football, or they'd be heading for a lower league.
17. Northwestern (3-5)
Another week and another blowout loss for the Wildcats. The offense is inefficient and the defense is seemingly always stuck behind a rock. Northwestern's bowl hopes are between slim and none and slim is sneaking out of the room.
16. UCLA (2-5)
The Bruins were off this week. Their win over Rutgers keeps them above a Northwestern team with a superior record. It's still a pretty rough season for UCLA.
15. Maryland (4-4)
Losing by 25 points to a mediocre Minnesota team is a good way to not move up in the power rankings. ESPN gives the Terps less than a 1-in-3 chance of winning six games to achieve bowl eligibility.
14. Washington (4-4)
The Huskies didn't upset Indiana, but they certainly didn't get embarrassed. Still, the loss dropped their chances of winning six games to just 35.9%. Washington figured that a rough season with the coaching change and roster turnover is needed, and they've done that.
13. Rutgers (4-4)
A 22-point loss to a struggling USC team continues the downward spiral of the Scarlet Knights. They still hold a 57.0% chance of six wins and a bowl bid, but it's hard to find teams ahead of them who they could arguably jump.
12. Michigan State (4-4)
The Spartans took a tough loss to Michigan. They're still one of the better stories of the back half of the Big Ten and their 70.0% shot at bowl eligibility keeps them from sliding down any spots in our power rankings.
11. Minnesota (5-3)
The Gophers did manage to pick up another victory over a snoozing Maryland team. Minnesota keeps a gap between themselves and the teams below them, as they retain a 90.6% shot at six wins. But Minnesota doesn't have any sort of shot at the league title or the CFP either.
10. Michigan (5-3)
Michigan is another team boxed into this mid-level setting. Their win over Michigan State keeps the team from sliding. An 88.7% chance at six wins all but guarantees that the Wolverines avoid moving from the national title to failing to reach a bowl.
9. USC (4-4)
The Bruins bounced back to .500 by taking down Rutgers. They're given a nearly 1-in-5 shot of winning out. Managing to finish 8-4 after an ugly 3-4 start would certainly be impressive... but the Trojans are far from a sure thing.
8. Nebraska (5-3)
The Huskers were very impressive in taking Ohio State down to the wire. That said, they have delayed the race for a winning season again. The good news is an 88.0% chance at six wins... but Nebraska will breathe easier with that sixth win in hand.
7. Wisconsin (5-3)
Not a bad week for the Badgers, as they didn't upset Penn State, but certainly didn't get boatraced either. Wisconsin retains a 0.1% shot at the Playoff, but realistically, the loss to Penn State ended that hope.
6. Iowa (5-3)
The Hawkeyes got back on the winning side of things by taking down Northwestern easily. Like Wisconsin, Iowa is given a 0.1% shot at a Playoff spot. That said, there are four teams that have reasonable Playoff chances and Iowa can't jump up to join that group.
5. Illinois (6-2)
The Illini weren't ready to match up with Oregon, which just goes to prove that the story of the Big Ten is that there's a massive gap between the top four teams in the league and everybody else. Whether the CFP can or will take all four is the question, but Illinois is certainly on the outside of the picture.
4. Indiana (8-0)
Now with an 8-0 start, IU's shot at the CFP jumped to 68.6%. The Hoosiers really just need to take care of business against the non-Ohio State teams left on the schedule... which they can do.
3. Ohio State (6-1)
Nebraska really took the fight to Ohio State and made it look like Penn State might swamp the Buckeyes and throw their Playoff chances into chaos. For the moment, ESPN gives OSU a 72.6% shot. But we're in a world where Indiana's Playoff potential could easily eclipse OSU's.
2. Penn State (7-0)
The only negative for the Nittany Lions is the injury to Drew Allar. If Allar is available and close to full speed, Penn State has the best shot at the Big Ten that they've had in a long while. If not, well, it could be PSU that slides beneath Indiana in the Playoff shuffle.
1. Oregon (8-0)
Still number one, still rolling on through the Big Ten. Nothing new to see here.
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