Week 1 of the college football season was rather quiet, especially in the Big Ten, with most of the premier programs facing far inferior competition. The weekend delivered very little drama as near upset losses for Oregon and Michigan were the closest to chaos we got to open the season. When you looked at the SEC-Big Ten clashes on paper for Week 2, it had a far greater chance of delivering chaotic results.
Ohio State and Texas faced off again in a clash between Top 5 teams, while Michigan looked to bounce back from a shaky game to win against Oklahoma. Then chaos struck when it was least expected, as Oregon fell in a stunning loss to Oklahoma State, shaking the Big Ten power rankings and the race for the College Football Playoff.
Power Ranking the Big Ten after a hectic Week 2
18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
After falling to UMass at home in the season opener, Rutgers needed to bounce back on the road against Boston College. Instead, new starting QB AJ Surace threw 4 interceptions in his debut while the offense turned the ball over on downs twice. This team has major issues that have to be a concern, as the schedule isn't getting easier the rest of the way, and Greg Schiano's seat is only getting hotter.
17. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue had a golden opportunity to pick up a Power 4 win, but fell in a double-overtime thriller against Wake Forest. Ryan Browne passed for 329 yards and a touchdown without a turnover while Fame Ijeboi rushed for 3 touchdowns and 114 yards. Dropping this game will sting for Barry Odom and Purdue as Big Ten play is only going to bring tougher tests.
16. Maryland Terrapins
Maryland added another win to start the season as the Terrapins picked up a 38-14 win over the UConn Huskies. Malik Washington was outstanding going 34-41 for 347 yards and 2 touchdowns while the ground game added 125 yards and 3 scores. The defensive line was impressive in this game racking up 5 sacks, but the true tests for Mike Locksley begin in Big Ten play.
15. Northwestern Wildcats
David Braun and the Northwestern Wildcats spent the weekend on the bye before their first Power 4 matchup of the season. The bye week should allow the Wildcats to clean up a ton, as the offense is still learning Chip Kelly's system before facing Colorado.
14. Michigan State Spartans
After struggling at times against Toledo in the season opener, Pat Fitzgerald's team looked improved in a win over Eastern Michigan. Alessio Milivojevic played a clean game, passing for a pair of touchdowns while Cam Edwards racked up 152 yards and 2 scores on the ground. The real test for this team begins next weekend as they face a Notre Dame team that's looked unstoppable to start the season.
13. Minnesota Golden Gophers
PJ Fleck had his first chance to prove that Minnesota was capable of being a dark-horse Playoff contender, but the team instead fell flat against Mississippi State. The defense had no answers for the duo of Kamario Taylor and Fluff Bothwell as the Bulldogs racked up 38 points on offense. The biggest issue for the Golden Gophers was the total lack of a rushing attack as the team picked up just 13 yards on 15 carries.
12. Wisconsin Badgers
After suffering a beatdown at the hands of Notre Dame last weekend, Wisconsin got to pick up an easy win this weekend facing Western Illinois. Colton Joseph's passing struggles are alarming, but Abu Sama III continues to power the offense on the ground. Luke Fickell escaped the pressure this weekend, but the real test for his job comes when Big Ten play begins.
11. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois lost its first true test of the season in a 31-27 loss to the Duke Blue Devils. The defense struggled to stop Walker Eget, who passed for 3 touchdowns, while Nate Sheppard added 157 yards and a score on the ground. The rushing attack is going to need to do more to help Katin Houser, but the passing attack hasn't shown any signs of slowing down this season.
10. Nebraska Cornhuskers
This week's Nebraska game resulted in a far more comfortable win for the Huskers after a slow start in the opener. Anthony Colandrea was clicking with Jacory Barney Jr. and Kwazi Gilmer finding the duo for a combined 4 touchdowns and 154 yards. The defense shut down Bowling Green, allowing just 7 points when the backups entered the game, as the unit continues to gel under new DC Rob Aurich.
9. UCLA Bruins
It was close for 3 quarters, but UCLA finally pulled away in the 4th quarter to pick up a win over San Diego State. Wayne Knight continues to carry this offense, as his 3 touchdowns and 97 yards were enough to give the Bruins a win. Next weekend kicks off Big Ten play, and the ceiling of Bob Chesney's team is going to be set by what they get out of Nico Iamaleava.
8. Iowa Hawkeyes
It wasn't pretty for the Iowa Hawkeyes as they escaped with a win over Iowa State, but is it ever? The offense finally found some life late as the Hawkeyes drove down the field for back-to-back field goals, including the game-winner with just 9 seconds remaining. The offense remains a major work in progress, but the Hawkeyes have proven they can win with the worst offensive play.
7. Washington Huskies
Through the first two weeks of the season, Washington hasn't looked like a team that's ready for Big Ten play. The Huskies needed to hold off a Hail Mary attempt to escape with a 16-14 win over Utah State. Demond Williams Jr. is carrying the bulk of the offensive burden on his own, and Jedd Fisch is going to need to find a way to make life easier on his quarterback.
6. Oregon Ducks
Through the first two weeks, Oregon has looked far more like a flawed team than the one everyone thought could compete for a National Championship. Dante Moore struggled in the Ducks' loss to Oklahoma State, starting the game just 5-for-15, putting Oregon in a hole they never could dig out of. The bigger concern for Dan Lanning is the fact that the Ducks' vaunted defense allowed 554 yards and failed to record a sack with their veteran defensive line.
5. Michigan Wolverines
All week long, everyone wrote Michigan off and assumed that Bryce Underwood's time as the starter was coming to an end after the Wolverines struggled to beat Western Michigan. Bryce Underwood wasn't great against Oklahoma, but he took care of the football with very little help from his rushing attack. The Wolverines' defense proved to be the difference, shutting down John Mateer, and forcing a pair of turnovers in the win.
4. Penn State Nittany Lions
Matt Campbell's second game leading the Nittany Lions wasn't nearly as impressive as his debut, but Penn State moved to 2-0. The Iowa State connection between Rocco Becht and Benjamin Brahmer proved to be critical, connecting for a pair of touchdowns to help pull away from Temple. Next weekend marks the final tune-up game for this new-look team before they move into Big Ten play where the tests begin.
3. USC Trojans
The USC Trojans are currently in action against the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, their ranking will be updated following the game.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes choked away a 20-point lead in the 4th quarter after looking like they were in cruise control the entire game. Jeremiah Smith had an incredible game, but Ohio State didn't move the ball well enough in the 4th quarter to hold off a furious comeback by Texas. The Buckeyes are still among the best teams in the Country, but they have to learn to put teams away when they have a massive lead.
1. Indiana Hoosiers
Curt Cignetti schedules these far inferior non-conference opponents for a reason, and the Hoosiers handled business instantly, jumping on Howard with 3 touchdowns in the first quarter. Indiana cruised to a 55-0 win over Howard as Josh Hoover threw for 4 touchdowns on just 11 attempts. Indiana looks to be fully reloaded, but the Hoosiers won't be able to prove it until they face real competition.
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