Big Ten Power Rankings: Iowa Holds Steady, Michigan Rebounds After Week 2

After two weeks of college football, the Big Ten picture is starting to take shape, with Iowa clinging to a top-20 ranking despite a closer-than-expected win, while Michigan bounced back in a big way. The Hawkeyes sit at No. 18 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the Coaches Poll, but questions remain about their offensive consistency as conference play looms.

Week 2 delivered surprises across the conference, from Oregon's stunning loss to Oklahoma State to Rutgers' continued struggles. Here's a breakdown of where every Big Ten team stands in the latest rankings, projections, and what it means for Iowa fans.

Where Do Big Ten Teams Rank in the Major Polls?

The AP Poll and Coaches Poll were released after Week 2, with eight Big Ten teams ranked in the Coaches Poll and seven in the AP Poll. Here's the full list (AP/Coaches):

• Indiana (4/4)
• Ohio State (6/6)
• USC (12/11)
• Penn State (14/15)
• Iowa (18/20)
• Michigan (19/19)
• Oregon (21/18)
• Washington (NR/24)

Washington received enough votes to be No. 26 in the AP Poll, while UCLA (No. 35 AP) and Nebraska (No. 34 Coaches) are also receiving votes. Oregon's drop was expected after their loss to Oklahoma State, marking the first time Dan Lanning lost to an unranked team. Michigan's win over Oklahoma propelled them back into the AP Top 25, essentially swapping spots with Washington.

Composite Rankings: Who's Rising and Falling?

The Massey Composite rankings still lean heavily on last season's results, but Week 2 results are starting to shift the numbers. Here's a look at the biggest movers since the preseason:

Biggest Risers

• UCLA (+22)
• Michigan State (+16)
• Maryland (+13)
• Nebraska (+11)

Indiana now sits at No. 1 in the composite, and Ohio State remains in the top 5 despite their loss at Texas.

Biggest Fallers

• Rutgers (-55)
• Oregon (-17)
• Minnesota (-16)
• Illinois (-14)
• Wisconsin (-13)

Iowa, Washington, and Wisconsin all dropped in the composite despite winning their games, a sign that the computer models aren't impressed with narrow victories.

SP+ Rankings: Where Does Iowa Stand?

Bill Connelly's SP+ rankings, which measure efficiency and explosiveness, place Iowa at No. 26 among all FBS teams. Here's how the Big Ten stacks up:

• Ohio State: 2
• Indiana: 5
• Oregon: 9
• USC: 12
• Penn State: 16
• Michigan: 25
• Iowa: 26
• Nebraska: 27
• Washington: 33
• UCLA: 38
• Maryland: 39
• Northwestern: 42
• Illinois: 47
• Minnesota: 55
• Michigan State: 60
• Wisconsin: 66
• Purdue: 78
• Rutgers: 81

Notably, SP+ ranks Rutgers 35 places higher than the composite, while Illinois and Michigan are rated lower. Also worth noting: FCS Montana State (No. 72) ranks above Purdue and Rutgers, highlighting the bottom of the Big Ten.

ESPN FPI Win Projections: Iowa's Outlook

ESPN's Football Power Index updated its win projections after Week 2. Iowa's projected win total dipped slightly to 7.8, down 0.1 from last week. Here are the notable changes:

• Michigan: 8.2 (up 1.2)
• Nebraska: 8.3 (up 0.8)
• UCLA: 7.4 (up 0.9)
• Oregon: 7.8 (down 2.0)
• Minnesota: 4.3 (down 1.2)
• Illinois: 5.4 (down 1.0)

Michigan's win projection improved by more than a full win, while Oregon, Minnesota, and Illinois each dropped by at least one win. For Iowa, the slight dip reflects a schedule that includes tough road games at Ohio State and USC.

Iowa's Remaining Schedule: Win Probabilities

ESPN's FPI gives Iowa a 7.8-win projection, but the Hawkeyes' path to a strong season runs through some tricky matchups. Iowa is favored in most of their remaining games, but the FPI now shows Michigan State as a slight favorite over Iowa, a flip from earlier projections. The Hawkeyes' defense remains elite, but the offense has yet to find its rhythm, a concern as Big Ten play begins.

Week 3 Big Ten Matchups: What to Watch

Most Big Ten teams are heavy favorites in their non-conference games this week, but a few stand out:

• Colorado at Northwestern: Split predictions, with FPI favoring Colorado and Massey/SP+ favoring Northwestern.
• Maryland at Virginia Tech: Another split, with FPI favoring Virginia Tech and Massey/SP+ favoring Maryland.
• Michigan State at Notre Dame: Michigan State is a heavy underdog.

The first two Big Ten conference games of the season feature USC at Rutgers and UCLA hosting Purdue. USC is a heavy favorite, but their road struggles are well-documented.

Final Thoughts: What's Next for the Big Ten?

It's still early, but the Big Ten is already showing signs of chaos. Ohio State and Oregon, both preseason CFP favorites, have a loss each and face a critical November matchup. USC looks like a contender again, but questions remain about their road performance. Maryland has a chance to break their September curse against Virginia Tech.

For Iowa, the message is clear: the defense can keep them in any game, but the offense must improve to compete with the conference's elite. With a favorable schedule ahead, the Hawkeyes have a real shot at a double-digit win season if they can find consistency.

Stay tuned for more Big Ten coverage as the season heats up.