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

The Badgers could not get anything going against the Buckeyes. Their first three possessions ended in an interception and two punts. Ohio State scored touchdowns on their first four possessions, putting the game away early.

Not too many teams go into Columbus and pull out a victory, but Wisconsin did not even put up much of fight. Badgers will look to bounce back as they host Illinois next week.

Unlike Wisconsin, Maryland actually put up a fight in Ann Arbor. The Terps came up short but put together a good effort. Despite the loss, the Terps stay put in this week’s power rankings cause there are a lot of positive things about this team.

This team looks better than the one that lost last season to Michigan by 41 points in College Park. They just could not overcome the turnovers. Fumbling the opening kickoff put them in a hole from the start. Maryland returns home next week to face a reeling Michigan State.

Aidan O’Connell was out of the game versus FAU, but Austin Burton filled in nicely. He tossed three touchdowns in a 28-26 victory.

This was a must win for the Boilermakers to avoid falling to 1-3. They are likely not the sixth best team in the conference but again everyone below the top four is a jumbled mess. They face Minnesota next Saturday.

Illinois played last Thursday and got a 31-0 shutout of Chattanooga. The Mocs were undefeated coming into the game and are one of the better FCS teams but the Illini took care of business.

Like Purdue, the Illini probably are ranked too high on this list. But they are off to their best start since 2015. Should be interesting next Saturday as Bret Bielema returns to Madison.