Big Ten power rankings: Gophers fall as six conference teams remain undefeated

There are six undefeated teams remaining in the Big Ten, a group that no longer includes Minnesota after its loss at North Carolina. But not all of them are ahead of the Gophers.

September 18, 2023 at 2:49PM
North Carolina defensive back Alijah Huzzie (28) breaks up a pass intended for Minnesota wide receiver Daniel Jackson (9) on Saturday. (Reinhold Matay, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Big Ten football power rankings

1. Michigan (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten): QB J.J. McCarthy (three interceptions) endures a rare bad day vs. Bowling Green.

2. Penn State (3-0, 1-0): Nittany Lions tune up for visit from Iowa by rolling over Illinois.

3. Ohio State (3-0, 1-0): Buckeyes hang 63 on Western Kentucky, now travel to Notre Dame.

4. Iowa (3-0, 0-0): Hawks score 41 on Western Michigan, and O.C. Brian Ferentz can exhale.

5. Maryland (3-0, 0-0): Terps averaging 39.3 points per game behind QB Taulia Tagovailoa.

6. Wisconsin (2-1, 0-0): Badgers take advantage of five interceptions thrown by Georgia Southern QB.

7. Gophers (2-1, 1-0): They'll continue to drop if they don't start scoring touchdowns.

8. Rutgers (3-0, 1-0): After 19-point win over Virginia Tech, Scarlet Knights travel to Michigan.

9. Illinois (1-2, 0-1): Five turnovers doom Illini vs. Penn State.

10. Purdue (1-2, 0-0): After loss to Syracuse, trip to Wisconsin is next on Friday.

11. Michigan State (2-1, 0-0): Spartans were not at all competitive in 41-7 loss to Washington.

12. Indiana (1-2, 0-1): Goal-line stand by Louisville denies Hoosiers in 21-14 defeat.

13. Nebraska (1-2, 0-1): Huskers top Northern Illinois for first win under coach Matt Rhule.

14. Northwestern (1-2, 0-1): Wildcats leave Tobacco Road as 24-point losers vs. Duke.

about the writer

Randy Johnson

College football reporter

Randy Johnson covers University of Minnesota football and college football for the Star Tribune, along with Gophers hockey and the Wild.

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