Big Ten football power rankings Week 5: Minnesota soaring to new heights

Rutgers out-gained Iowa by about 80 yards but turned over the ball three times. The Hawkeyes returned two of those turnovers for touchdowns and that’s all they needed to beat the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers’ defense played reasonably well but got worn down in the second half and Iowa put away the game. It gets even tougher next week as the Knights travel to Columbus.

Michigan State was crushed by Minnesota in a game that was not even as close as the final score indicated. For the second straight game, the Spartans gave up over 500 yards total.

This team lacks an identity. Without any semblance of a run game, the offense falls on Payton Thorne’s shoulders and he has not been good either. The defense is getting torched by the passing game. Mel Tucker has his work cut out for him to turn the team around. Next up is a road trip to Maryland.

The Hawkeyes did just enough on offense but got two big defensive touchdowns to pull out of Piscataway with a victory.

This is a great defense but the Hawkeyes are going to struggle mightily on offense against the tougher Big Ten defenses. They are still ranked low on this list because they are not a complete team with their offense barely functioning. The Hawkeyes host undefeated Michigan next Saturday.