Ranking Every Big Ten Football Team Heading into Week 6
Five weeks into the 2016 regular season, two programs have demanded a place atop the Big Ten football hierarchy.
Ohio State and Michigan have consistently dominated inferior teams and earned a significant victory against a ranked team. Everybody else is chasing the undefeated rivals.
Two other schools make up the second level of the conference, while the third tier is a jumbled mess of mediocre yet respectable teams. And then, there's the worst of the worst.
While the order is subjective, the primary factor is performance through five weeks. We considered potential but focused on head-to-head and overall results.
14. Purdue
1 of 14
Record: 2-2 Overall (0-1 Big Ten)
After four games, Purdue is basically where it should be. That's not a good thing.
The Boilermakers handled Eastern Kentucky before losing to Cincinnati. Considering the current state of the respective programs, the result wasn't a surprise. But for Purdue to start thinking about bowl eligibility again, that's the type of game it needs to win—like the 24-14 triumph over Nevada.
Maryland throttled the Boilermakers 50-7 in their Big Ten opener, and frustration is steadily reaching—forgive the pun—a boiling point against fourth-year head coach Darrell Hazell. He's just 8-32 since taking over in West Lafayette.
According to Mike Carmin of the Indianapolis Star, Hazell's buyout drops from $6.7 million to $4.6 million on Dec. 1, 2016. Assuming the conference slate brings six more losses, a coaching change could be imminent.
13. Illinois
2 of 14
Record: 1-3 Overall (0-1 Big Ten)
Illinois hung around with Nebraska in Week 5, which is at least an improvement. The other two games against FBS opponents didn't inspire much hope.
North Carolina used a 17-point fourth quarter to pull away in Champaign, and Western Michigan dominated the Illini throughout a 34-10 victory.
Perhaps Lovie Smith's team can play the spoiler role in a tight West Division, but anything more is simply a dream. Still, staying out of the cellar would be ideal for Smith in his first season.
According to Odds Shark, Illinois opened as a nine-point favorite at home against Purdue. If the Illini lose, though, they're headed to the bottom of the power rankings.
12. Rutgers
3 of 14
Record: 2-3 Overall (0-2 Big Ten)
Chris Ash's first year at Rutgers will be a rough one.
The Scarlet Knights recorded a pair of victories against Howard and New Mexico, but there's no other easy win on the schedule. Other than perhaps a home game against Illinois, they probably won't be favored in any remaining game.
Now Rutgers did put a scare into Iowa, so blowouts shouldn't be a regular sight. The Scarlet Knights can stay remotely competitive. But from where will the scoring come? Janarion Grant—the leading receiver and an ace returner—is out for the season due to a right ankle injury.
Although the future is promising under Ash, that doesn't include 2016.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
11. Michigan State
4 of 14
Record: 2-2 Overall (0-2 Big Ten)
Michigan State has demanded attention after every game. The problem is that the reactions have been negative three times.
After managing an unimpressive 28-13 season-opening win against FCS opponent Furman, the Spartans impressively upended Notre Dame 36-28 on the road. But then, they had ugly losses to Wisconsin (30-6) and Indiana (24-21, OT).
The offense has talented players, but the unit won't be a consistent force with Tyler O'Connor—who is still the best option—under center. He's not someone who can carry a team.
Michigan State can salvage its season by beating one of Ohio State or Michigan. While a 9-3 record seems like the best-case scenario, an 8-4 campaign followed by a bowl win would be respectable.
10. Iowa
5 of 14
Record: 3-2 Overall (1-1 Big Ten)
Everybody say it together now: Never schedule North Dakota State.
Iowa wanted to prove 2015 wasn't a fluke, but that dream ended unceremoniously as the Bison's 37-yard field goal sailed through the uprights. The team hasn't improved since then.
After narrowly avoiding an upset at Rutgers, the Hawkeyes lost at home to Northwestern—which had already lost to Western Michigan and FCS school Illinois State.
Minnesota, Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan and Nebraska remain on the schedule, and two losses would eliminate Iowa from the West Division discussion.
9. Northwestern
6 of 14
Record: 2-3 Overall (1-1 Big Ten)
At the end of September, Northwestern would have found itself way down the list. October is a new story.
Beating Iowa means the Wildcats still have a decent chance to earn bowl eligibility. Ohio State will likely smash Northwestern, but that's the only definite loss.
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald's team should stay annoyingly close with Wisconsin, especially since it's at home. The offense needs to build off the performance at Iowa and perform well in toss-up games against Michigan State, Indiana and Minnesota.
But the Wildcats are kind of like a box of chocolates: You never know what you're gonna get. Will the win over Iowa serve as the gateway to forgetting the team that lost to Illinois State? Or will September's Northwestern reappear later this season?
8. Minnesota
7 of 14
Record: 3-1 Overall (0-1 Big Ten)
Through four weeks, the Golden Gophers have been solid. Granted, that doesn't mean a whole lot. Seven-point victories over Oregon State and Colorado State were expected yet uninspiring.
Defeating Iowa would help change the outlook. On the other hand, a loss sends Minnesota into a deep West Division hole.
Bowl eligibility is practically a lock, considering the Gophers still play Rutgers, Illinois and Purdue. But after it lost to Penn State in overtime, Minnesota's already narrow path to the Big Ten Championship Game is closing rapidly.
7. Penn State
8 of 14
Record: 3-2 Overall (1-1 Big Ten)
Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, they don't encounter an elite defense like Michigan's every week. Then again, at least there was no emotional roller coaster for Penn State fans to ride.
James Franklin and Co. have alternated wins and losses, controlling Kent State, falling to new/old rival Pitt, edging Temple, losing at Michigan and clipping Minnesota in overtime.
The nation doesn't have a great read on the Nittany Lions. They aren't East Division contenders; however, they could be the third-best team in the faction. Penn State's upcoming home contest against Maryland on Saturday will help decide that question.
6. Indiana
9 of 14
Record: 3-1 Overall (1-0 Big Ten)
Indiana gets the early nomination for most confusing team in the Big Ten, even more so than Michigan State and Northwestern.
The Hoosiers used a big 22-point fourth quarter to finally dispatch an overmatched Florida International team, rolled through Ball State until garbage time and lost to Wake Forest. But then, Indiana sent the No. 17 Spartans back to East Lansing thinking about a loss.
Like in 2015, "playing to the level of the competition" basically describes the Hoosiers. Last year, they put a scare into each of Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa and Michigan but lost to Rutgers.
Consistency is Indiana's biggest issue, but maybe finishing off a victory against a ranked team will serve as the turning point—not just in 2016 but for the program as a whole.
5. Maryland
10 of 14
Record: 4-0 Overall (1-0 Big Ten)
We knew D.J. Durkin would eventually make Maryland competitive, but the Terps already look like a menace just four games into his tenure.
However, what is the 2016 team's ceiling?
While the transitive property isn't definitive in football, it's all we have right now. Maryland walloped Howard, yet so did Rutgers. The Terrapins obliterated Florida International, which Indiana beat on the road. Durkin's squad edged UCF, which Michigan hammered.
The 50-7 victory over Purdue was impressive. However, October games against Penn State, Minnesota, Michigan State and Indiana will show if Maryland already belongs atop the third tier.
4. Nebraska
11 of 14
Record: 5-0 Overall (2-0 Big Ten)
Although Nebraska is ranked below Wisconsin, Mike Riley's team has the most favorable path to the Big Ten Championship Game.
Conference play started just two weeks ago, but Nebraska is the only undefeated team in the West Division. The Cornhuskers have knocked off Northwestern and Illinois.
Nebraska—which also toppled Oregon—doesn't have an easy road to the division crown. Road trips to Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa are cause for concern.
But with the rest of the West beating one another up while Wisconsin attempts to navigate a brutal schedule, the Huskers are in good shape.
3. Wisconsin
12 of 14
Record: 4-1 Overall (1-1 Big Ten)
Wisconsin has zero room for error. You can blame the schedule for that, though Nebraska supporters won't feel bad.
The Badgers recorded a pair of eye-opening victories against LSU and Michigan State, but their lack of offense firepower showed against Michigan. Alex Hornibrook struggled during what must have been a difficult test for the freshman quarterback.
The defense minimized the loss of star edge-rusher Vince Biegel, who will be out for several weeks, according to ESPN.com's Jesse Temple.
Wisconsin is the best team in the West Division, but a date with Ohio State on Oct. 15 should result in a second conference loss. Barring an upset there, the Badgers need to sweep the remainder of their slate and bank on another Nebraska loss.
2. Michigan
13 of 14
Record: 5-0 Overall (2-0 Big Ten)
Good luck scoring against this defense. Michigan has limited opponents to 62 points in five games.
There's no question the unit is carrying Jim Harbaugh's squad, but Wilton Speight is steadily improving under center. While he's not a dynamic playmaker by any means, he protects the football and is capable of escaping a collapsing pocket to extend plays.
No, that doesn't make him a special quarterback. However, the Wolverines haven't and don't need Speight to dominate a game—not until Nov. 26 at Ohio State, at least.
Michigan's road trips to Michigan State and Iowa no longer look as daunting. Home matchups against Maryland and Indiana fit the trap-game mold, but the Wolverines should roll to 11-0.
And then, they'll be preparing for the next guys on this list.
1. Ohio State
14 of 14
Record: 4-0 Overall (1-0 Big Ten)
Ohio State isn't just winning. Urban Meyer's team is destroying everything and everything in its way.
The Buckeyes opened the campaign with dominant victories over Bowling Green (77-10) and Tulsa (48-3), assembled a convincing 45-24 win at then-No. 14 Oklahoma and pounded Rutgers 58-0. Quarterback J.T. Barrett has accounted for 1,093 total yards and 17 touchdowns.
Ohio State boasts the only defense in the country allowing fewer than 10 points per game. The unit ranks No. 6 against the pass and No. 3 overall. Additionally, the Buckeyes already have 11 takeaways and four defensive touchdowns.
Wisconsin and Nebraska loom on the divisional slate, but Ohio State looks destined to host Michigan with both teams at 11-0.
All recruiting information via Scout. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
