Big Ten power rankings: Week 5

By Daily Illini Staff Report

1. MICHIGAN STATE (LAST WEEK 1)

The Spartans dominated Eastern Michigan, 73-14, with nearly 400 yards on the ground.

2. WISCONSIN (2)

The Badgers crushed Bowling Green 68-17, rushing for a Big Ten record 644 yards.

3. OHIO STATE (3)

Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!

  • Catch the latest on University of Illinois news, sports, and more. Delivered every weekday.
  • Stay up to date on all things Illini sports. Delivered every Monday.
Thank you for subscribing!

The Buckeyes will take on Cincinnati this week, showing off an offense that averages 40.3 points per game despite losing starting quarterback Braxton Miller before the season began.

4. PENN STATE (5)

The Nittany Lions had a big offensive day in Saturday’s win over Massachusetts, putting up 48 points on 464 total yards and giving up no turnovers.

5. NEBRASKA (4)

Ameer Abdullah’s 229 rushing yards and two touchdowns helped the Cornhuskers to a 41-31 win over Miami.

6. IOWA (6)

The Hawkeyes were good when they needed to be in a 24-20 fourth quarter comeback against Pittsburgh on Saturday, converting three fourth downs on three attempts.

7. MARYLAND (8)

The Terrapins had 31 points in the first half, enough to hold off a productive Syracuse offense for a 34-20 win — Maryland’s defense allowed 589 yards of total offense but forced two turnovers.

8. MINNESOTA (9)

The Golden Gophers had just seven passing yards in their 24-7 win over San Jose State this weekend.

9. INDIANA (13)

The Hoosiers’ offense carried them to a 31-27 upset over No. 18 Missouri Saturday. Indiana had 493 total yards and no turnovers.

10. MICHIGAN (7)

The Wolverines continued their dismal season with another big loss, this time to Utah 26-10.

11. ILLINOIS (10)

The Illini struggled again Saturday, forcing the offense to make another second half comeback — the third time in four games throughout the nonconference schedule.

12. RUTGERS (11)

A 24-point first half helped The Scarlet Knights hold off Navy for a 31-24 win.

13. NORTHWESTERN (12)

The Wildcats defeated Western Illinois 24-7, but the score didn’t show their struggles — Northwestern only had 117 passing yards and converted just three third downs on 14 attempts.

14. PURDUE (14)

Quarterback Danny Etling led the Boilermakers to an easy 35-13 win over Southern Illinois Saturday with two touchdowns and 198 yards through the air.