Several Big Ten groups had off-days this week as convention play will get underway in earnest, however a couple of others made some big-time statements.

That group contains Purdue, who blew out Illinois in a recreation that noticed Ryan Walters go up in opposition to the staff he helped construct right into a defensive powerhouse final season.

Michigan and Penn State additionally cemented their standing among the many convention’s elite, with blowout victories over Nebraska and Northwestern, respectively.

Rutgers additionally stored up their profitable methods with an enormous victory over Wagner, as did Maryland with a straightforward win over Indiana.

Here is that this week’s Power Rankings:

14 Indiana (Last Week: 14)

Tayven Jackson averaged simply 3.9 yards per completion, and Indiana’s offense was held to 321 yards in a 27-point loss to the Terrapins. Jaylin Lucas had a couple of flash performs, together with a 56-yard kick return, however exterior of that fleeting second, it was a forgettable day on the workplace for the Hoosiers.

13 Nebraska (Last Week: 10)

Nebraska gave up 14 factors in each the primary and second quarters of Saturday’s loss to Michigan, and by no means even appeared to have a chance to make it a recreation in Lincoln. Heinrich Haarberg threw for 199 yards and an interception, and the Huskers solely managed 32 yards on the bottom exterior of a garbage-time 74-yard landing run by Joshua Fleeks.

The Huskers had proven some flashes in earlier video games, however Michigan instantly put them again of their place as they appear to rebuild their program below Matt Rhule.

12 Michigan State (Last Week: 13)

The Spartans had a nicely-balanced assault in opposition to the Hawkeyes on Saturday, however they gave up 13 factors within the fourth quarter to fall 26-16 in Iowa City. Noah Kim threw three interceptions as he retains his tenuous maintain on the beginning job, however Nathan Carter did rack up 108 speeding yards in opposition to a troublesome Iowa protection.

11 Northwestern (Last Week: 12)

It’s not frequent for a staff to maneuver up a spot within the rankings after a 28-point loss, however the Wildcats’ first half in opposition to Penn State was worthy of a salute. They did maintain Drew Allar to 189 yards by way of the air, however Penn State obtained the important thing stops once they wanted them, holding Northwestern to only 175 yards of whole offense.

Also price noting: Ben Bryant left the sport after a sack late within the recreation, and it’s unclear what his standing will probably be transferring ahead.

10 Illinois (Last Week: 9)

The Illini struggled badly on the defensive aspect of issues Saturday, giving up 406 yards of offense to a Purdue squad that had been going by way of its personal difficulties in transferring the soccer.

There was some excellent news on the Illinois aspect as Kaden Feagin rushed for 85 yards on simply 11 carries, and Isaiah Williams had one other large recreation with 113 receiving yards, however they’re having problem turning these yards into factors, and it’s price them as they proceed to go down early in video games this season.

9 Purdue (Last Week: 11)

Purdue wanted to make a press release in the event that they had been to be taken severely within the Big Ten West chase, and so they did simply that at residence in opposition to Illinois, with Tyrone Tracy and Devin Mockobee combining for 179 yards speeding and two touchdowns in an emphatic victory.

Hudson Card additionally took higher care of the soccer, throwing two touchdowns and never turning it over a single time within the recreation. That is a large growth for the Boilermakers, who’ve been bitten badly by the turnover bug all season lengthy.  

8 Minnesota (Last Week: 8)

Homecoming within the Twin Cities was sluggish to get rolling, because the Gophers trailed at halftime in opposition to Louisiana, however within the second half they had been lastly capable of get some momentum going, scoring 21 factors to earn a 35-24 victory.

The Gophers went actually heavy on the run once more this week, with 51 whole carries for 201 yards and three touchdowns, and Zach Evans was a driving pressure as he rushed for 85 yards and a rating on 15 whole carries.

7 Rutgers (Last Week: 7)

If you’re beginning to discover a sample right here of groups sticking to their spots, you’ll be forgiven, however Rutgers did precisely what it wanted to do in opposition to Wagner, posting a 52-3 victory.

Gavin Wimsatt threw for 146 yards and rushed for 15 extra, racking up three whole touchdowns on the day. Kyle Monangai stored up his stellar season with 87 extra speeding yards, and the Scarlet Knights’ protection registered three sacks whereas holding the Seahawks to only 106 yards of whole offense within the victory.

6 Iowa (Last Week: 6)

The Hawkeyes’ win was on the bittersweet aspect, as their offense solely managed 222 yards whereas additionally dropping beginning quarterback Cade McNamara to a leg damage that required him to be carted off the sector.

Deacon Hill threw for 115 yards, a landing and an interception within the victory, however with their speeding assault managing simply 61 yards on 27 makes an attempt, he’ll have to actually step up his passing recreation if McNamara misses time because of the damage.

5 Wisconsin (Last Week: 5)

The Badgers had their bye week after an emphatic 38-17 win over Purdue in Week 4, and their subsequent recreation ought to present an intriguing check as Rutgers travels to Camp Randall for Week 6.

The Badgers should play that recreation with out Chez Mellusi, who’s out for the remainder of the season with a leg damage, however Tanner Mordecai confirmed off large two-way play of their final recreation in opposition to Purdue, and could also be leaned upon to maintain that up transferring ahead.

4 Maryland (Last Week: 4)

It would have been straightforward for Maryland to miss Indiana as they flip their eyes towards an Oct. 7 showdown with Ohio State, however Taulia Tagovailoa was in wonderful kind, with 5 landing passes and 352 yards by way of the air.

Tai Felton hauled in three of these landing passes, and Jeshaun Jones racked up six catches for 121 yards to assist tempo a Maryland offense that has helped the Terps to their first 5-0 document since 2001.

3 Ohio State (Last Week: 3)

The Buckeyes obtained every week off after defeating Notre Dame in South Bend in Week 4, and their schedule isn’t going to get any simpler, as they’ll face Maryland in Columbus in Week 6.

After a highway recreation in opposition to Purdue the next Saturday, Ohio State will face a house check in opposition to Penn State on Oct. 21, adopted by a highway recreation in opposition to Wisconsin on Oct. 28.

2 Penn State (Last Week: 2)

The Nittany Lions’ protection has been having an outstanding season, and so they had been in wonderful kind on Saturday, holding Northwestern to only three second-half factors, racking up seven sacks and 12 whole tackles for loss, and holding the Wildcats to only 175 yards of offense.

Sure, we’d like to see Drew Allar take over a recreation finally, however when your staff has the protection Penn State does, simply managing the offense and churning out yardage is sufficient to win, and that’s all Allar needed to do on Saturday.

1 Michigan (Last Week: 1)

JJ McCarthy solely threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns, however don’t let the stat line idiot you. He was in full management of his recreation, and the pace and accuracy with which he throws the ball was on full show.

Add to that one other sturdy 74-yard effort from Blake Corum, a part of a Wolverine speeding assault that chewed up 249 yards on 51 carries, and Michigan did precisely what it wanted to do in its first highway outing.