Big Ten Power Rankings, Week 5: Saquon Barkley for President of the World
By David Rouben
The first week of conference play for many teams resulted in a ton of movement in the Big Ten rankings heading into Week 5.
While the Big Ten continues to establish itself as a top-tier conference, Week 4 made one thing about it absolutely clear: it’s still very top-heavy. Teams like Rutgers, Illinois and, most recently, Nebraska weigh it down, while middle-of-the-pack teams like Michigan State can’t hang with outer conference foes.
But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t discredit Purdue or Iowa, who came into Week 4 with the best chances of pulling off an upset. The Hawkeyes, especially, made life difficult for the defending conference champions and if not for Saquon Barkley’s individual brilliance, the top of these power rankings would look drastically different. But with a third of the season having been played, we have a good idea of who will be playing in Indianapolis come December.
Illinois Fighting Illini (2-1)
Last week: BYE
Last rank: 14th
There’s no reason to move the reigning last-place team up after a bye week. And although Nebraska have looked completely vulnerable at times, Illinois should pose even less of a threat to the Cornhuskers than Rutgers did.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-3, 0-1)
Last week: L vs. Nebraska, 27-17
Last rank: 13th
There may not be a more out-of-place team in college football than Rutgers in the Big Ten East division. Just like with their game against Eastern Michigan, this one was there for the taking, but they couldn’t pull it off due to a poor second half from Kyle Bolin. But at least they got a nice catch from Jerome Washington out of it.
Even though their defense has played surprisingly good, they’ll have no answer when Ohio State comes to town next week.