Big Ten Power Rankings: Hawkeyes Hold Steady at No. 9 as Ohio State, Jeremiah Smith Dominate
Iowa fans know the drill by now: elite defense, elite special teams, and an offense that struggles to move the ball. That formula kept the Hawkeyes competitive against Ohio State this weekend, but it also explains why they sit at No. 9 in this week's Big Ten power rankings.
The bigger story in the conference is the emergence of Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, who is already being called the best wide receiver draft prospect in two decades. The Buckeyes remain the team to beat in the Big Ten, while several preseason contenders have fallen flat.
What happened to Michigan, Penn State, and Washington?
Three teams entered the season with College Football Playoff aspirations, and all three have flopped spectacularly. Michigan, Penn State, and Washington have all dropped out of the top 10 after disappointing performances in the first five weeks.
Michigan fell to Minnesota 20-14, while Penn State was demolished 34-13 by Northwestern in a game that featured some old-school Wing-T formations. Washington lost a close one to USC, 25-21.
As one analyst put it, you can't just take Iowa State, put them in the Big Ten, and expect them to be good.
Where does Iowa stand in the Big Ten pecking order?
The Hawkeyes remain a tough out for any opponent thanks to their defense and special teams. But the offense continues to hold them back from beating teams that are genuinely better than them.
Iowa's defense looked vulnerable against Ohio State, where Jeremiah Smith made an elite unit look ordinary. Still, this Hawkeyes team can keep any game competitive.
The question for Iowa fans is whether the offense can play above its head and steal a win against a superior opponent. So far, that hasn't happened.
Who else is climbing the Big Ten rankings?
Northwestern jumped to No. 6 after Chip Kelly's creative play-calling produced over 400 rushing yards against Penn State. Wisconsin sits at No. 5 behind dual-threat quarterback Colton Joseph, who topped 140 yards in both rushing and passing against Michigan State.
USC holds the No. 4 spot despite a flawed roster, largely thanks to their offensive firepower. The Trojans remain the best of the rest behind the Big 3.
Can anyone challenge Ohio State at the top?
Ohio State remains the clear No. 1 team in the Big Ten, with Jeremiah Smith playing like the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. He can't be guarded man-to-man, and his football IQ makes him elite in zone coverage.
Indiana sits at No. 2 after a dominant win over Rutgers, with a rushing attack led by Turbo Richard and a receiving duo that's among the best in the country. Oregon rounds out the top 3 after a bye week, though their loss to Oklahoma State remains a stain on their resume.
Full Big Ten power rankings for Week 6
Here's the complete top 10 heading into Week 6:
- Ohio State - Jeremiah Smith is unstoppable
- Indiana - Hoosiers opened it up against Rutgers
- Oregon - Bye week helped right the ship
- USC - Flawed but dangerous on offense
- Wisconsin - Joseph is a dual-threat nightmare
- Northwestern - Old-school offense stunned Penn State
- UCLA - Extra prep time for Oregon showdown
- Minnesota - Gophers did just enough to beat Michigan
- Iowa - Elite D, special teams; offense still a concern
- Nebraska - One win from bowl eligibility
What should Iowa fans watch in Week 6?
Iowa has a chance to climb the rankings with a strong performance this week. The Hawkeyes need to find some offensive consistency to complement their elite defense.
Nebraska faces Indiana in a test of whether Matt Rhule's squad can beat a quality opponent. UCLA gets a big showdown at Oregon, and Wisconsin looks to keep rolling against another Big Ten foe.
For Iowa, the formula remains the same: win with defense and special teams, and hope the offense does just enough. That approach has kept them competitive, but it hasn't been enough to beat the conference's elite.