Big Ten Power Rankings: Iowa Hawkeyes Rise After Dominant Week 1 Shutout
The Iowa Hawkeyes sent a message in Week 1 of the college football season, and it wasn't just about defense. A 40-0 shutout of Northern Illinois has fans in Iowa City buzzing, and it's enough to vault the Hawkeyes to No. 5 in our first Big Ten power rankings of the season.
For years, Iowa has been known for its stifling defense and, let's be honest, an offense that often struggled to move the ball. But on Saturday, the Hawkeyes put up 40 points without needing a single safety. That's a headline Hawkeye fans haven't seen in a long time.
If this offense is for real, Iowa could be a dark horse not just in the Big Ten, but on the national stage. The defense, as always, looks elite. The question now is whether the offensive explosion was a one-game fluke or a sign of things to come.
We'll get a much clearer picture this Saturday when Iowa hosts rival Iowa State in a game that always carries extra weight in this state.
Week 1 Big Ten Power Rankings: From Bottom to Top
One week of football is in the books, and while we're careful not to overreact, we now have actual game footage to base our rankings on. Here's how all 18 Big Ten teams stack up after Week 1, starting from the bottom.
No. 18: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Last Game: Lost 37-21 vs. UMass
Next Game: at Boston College
Rutgers is the only Big Ten team to lose in Week 1, and it was ugly. The Scarlet Knights were 29-point favorites at home against a UMass team that had lost 16 straight games. Five turnovers later, Rutgers was on the wrong end of an embarrassing result.
No. 17: Purdue Boilermakers
Last Game: Won 44-19 vs. Indiana State
Next Game: vs. Wake Forest
Purdue looked improved, but it's hard to tell much from a win over an FCS opponent. The Boilermakers lost every conference game last season, so there's nowhere to go but up. We'll hold off on moving them higher until we see them against real competition.
No. 16: Michigan State Spartans
Last Game: Won 30-20 vs. Toledo
Next Game: vs. Eastern Michigan
New head coach Pat Fitzgerald got his first win in East Lansing, but it wasn't pretty against a MAC school. The Spartans need significant improvement on offense if they want to make a bowl game, let alone compete in the upper half of the Big Ten.
No. 15: Northwestern Wildcats
Last Game: Won 34-18 vs. South Dakota State
Next Game: vs. Colorado (off next week)
Northwestern won, but the performance against an FCS opponent left a lot to be desired. The Wildcats tend to play to the level of their competition, so we'll reserve judgment until we see more.
No. 14: Maryland Terrapins
Last Game: Won 62-0 vs. Hampton
Next Game: at UConn
Maryland did what Maryland does: beat up on inferior nonconference opponents. A 62-0 shutout is impressive, but it was against an FCS team. The real test comes when Big Ten play starts.
No. 13: Wisconsin Badgers
Last Game: Lost 41-13 vs. Notre Dame
Next Game: vs. Western Illinois
Wisconsin showed promise in the first half against Notre Dame, but the second half collapse is concerning. The Badgers used to be known for finishing physical games, and that wasn't the case on Saturday. We'll see if they can bounce back.
No. 12: UCLA Bruins
Last Game: Won 45-24 at Cal
Next Game: vs. San Diego State
UCLA got a solid road win at Cal, the only Big Ten team to win away from home this week. The Bears aren't expected to be great, but a road win is a road win.
No. 11: Minnesota Golden Gophers
Last Game: Won 59-7 vs. Eastern Illinois
Next Game: vs. Mississippi State
P.J. Fleck had his team ready to go against a MAC opponent, and they looked sharp. Next week brings a rare SEC visitor to Minneapolis, so we'll see if the Gophers are up for the challenge.
No. 10: Michigan Wolverines
Last Game: Won 13-12 vs. Western Michigan
Next Game: vs. Oklahoma
Michigan escaped with a controversial win thanks to a Hail Mary from quarterback Bryce Underwood. The Wolverines looked far from a contender against a MAC school, and there are major concerns to address. They dropped, but not as far as they could have.
No. 9: Illinois Fighting Illini
Last Game: Won 42-23 vs. UAB
Next Game: vs. Duke
Illinois won, but the performance was underwhelming. UAB controlled the clock and outgained the Illini, and if not for penalties, this could have gone the other way. Illinois needs to play better starting next week against Duke.
No. 8: Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last Game: Won 49-21 vs. Ohio
Next Game: vs. Bowling Green
Nebraska dominated nearly every metric in a solid win over Ohio. The question for Matt Rhule's squad is whether they can finally get over the hump from average to great. We'll learn more in the coming weeks.
No. 7: Washington Huskies
Last Game: Won 24-10 vs. Washington State
Next Game: vs. Utah State
Washington didn't look great in the Apple Cup, but it's a rivalry game. The defense forced two turnovers and was excellent on third down. The offense needs more explosive plays as the season progresses.
No. 6: Penn State Nittany Lions
Last Game: Won 45-0 vs. Marshall
Next Game: at Temple
Matt Campbell's first game in Happy Valley was a success, with a dominant shutout win. The Nittany Lions have a talented roster, but bigger tests are ahead.
No. 5: Iowa Hawkeyes
Last Game: Won 40-0 vs. Northern Illinois
Next Game: vs. Iowa State
Iowa's 40-point outburst was the most surprising result of the weekend. If the Hawkeyes can pair a real offense with their always-elite defense, they could be a serious threat in the Big Ten and beyond. The Cy-Hawk game this Saturday will tell us a lot more.
No. 4: USC Trojans
Last Game: Won 39-0 vs. Fresno State
Next Game: vs. Louisiana
USC has already played two games, and the athleticism on the field is clear. The defense looked much better against Fresno State after a shaky opener. We'll learn more when the Trojans face Oregon on Sept. 26.
No. 3: Oregon Ducks
Last Game: Won 34-27 vs. Boise State
Next Game: at Oklahoma State
Oregon struggled against Boise State, and the rushing game and discipline (10 penalties) need work. The Ducks have talent, but they didn't look like the top team in the conference this week.
No. 2: Indiana Hoosiers
Last Game: Won 52-16 vs. North Texas
Next Game: vs. Howard
Indiana looked dominant, even though they got out-possessed and outgained by North Texas. The talent is clearly there, and coach Curt Cignetti is building something special in Bloomington. The Hoosiers could easily be No. 1.
No. 1: Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Game: Won 56-3 vs. Ball State
Next Game: at Texas
Ohio State takes the top spot thanks to total domination in every phase. The stats, score, and depth were the best of any Big Ten team in Week 1. The Buckeyes face a huge test next week at Texas, and we'll see if the defense is as good as it looked.
What to Watch in Week 2
The biggest game for Iowa fans is, of course, the Cy-Hawk showdown against Iowa State. It's a rivalry that needs no introduction, and this year's matchup could have major implications for both teams' seasons.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Ohio State travels to Texas in a marquee nonconference matchup, and Minnesota hosts Mississippi State. These games will give us a much better read on where these teams truly stand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Iowa Hawkeyes ranked so high after just one game?
Iowa's 40-0 win over Northern Illinois was the most impressive offensive performance the Hawkeyes have had in years. Combined with their always-strong defense, they look like a legitimate contender in the Big Ten.
How did Michigan drop after winning?
Michigan needed a Hail Mary to beat Western Michigan, a MAC school. The Wolverines looked far from a playoff contender, and the controversial win raised more questions than answers.
Who is the early favorite to win the Big Ten?
Ohio State looks like the team to beat after a dominant Week 1 performance, but Indiana and Oregon are also in the mix. Iowa could be a dark horse if the offense is for real.