Big Ten power rankings: Oregon gets gritty victory over Penn State

1. Oregon (4-0, 2-0 Big Ten): Ducks make a powerful statement with their 30-24 double-overtime victory to ruin Penn State’s “White Out” night. Even more impressive: The Ducks are 12-0 in Big Ten play.

2. Ohio State (4-0, 1-0): QB Julian Sayin was an efficient 22-for-28 for 208 yards and two TDs as Buckeyes grind out a 24-6 win at Washington. A visit from the Gophers comes next.

3. Indiana (5-0, 2-0): Hoosiers escape Kinnick Stadium with a 20-15 victory over Iowa on touchdown with 1:28 to play. Consider it a big step in their push to return to the playoff. Indiana has a bye this week before traveling to Oregon.

4. Penn State (3-1, 0-1): QB Drew Allar’s interception in the second overtime doomed the Nittany Lions in the loss to Oregon. With games against Ohio State and Indiana still on the schedule, Penn State has little margin for error when it comes to reaching the College Football Playoff.

5. Illinois (4-1, 1-1): Fighting Illini rebounded from blowout loss to Indiana by edging Southern California as Luke Altmyer went 20-for-26 for 328 yards and led a winning field-goal drive.

6. Michigan (3-1, 1-0): Wolverines were idle Saturday and now face a reeling Wisconsin team.

7. USC (4-1, 2-1): Trojans coach Lincoln Riley didn’t like Saturday’s 11 a.m. kickoff time at Illinois. He couldn’t have been thrilled with the 34-32 loss, either.

9. Maryland (4-0, 1-0): Terrapins were idle Saturday, and the schedule stiffens with Washington, Nebraska and Indiana visiting College Park in October.

10. Nebraska (3-1, 0-1): Coming off a bye week, Huskers have an October slate of Michigan State, Maryland, Minnesota and Northwestern.

11. Gophers (3-1, 1-0): As running game sputtered, coach P.J. Fleck put the ball in Drake Lindsey’s hands, and the redshirt freshman QB delivered a passing day of 31-for-41 for 324 yards and three TDs in a 31-28 win over Rutgers.

12. Iowa (3-2, 1-1): Hawkeyes slowed down Indiana but lost 20-15. Of top concern: QB Mark Gronowski suffered a knee injury and had to leave the game.

13. Michigan State (3-1, 0-1): Spartans were idle this week in preparation for trip to Nebraska.

15. Wisconsin (2-2, 0-1): After bye week, Badgers start a brutal stretch: at Michigan, vs. Iowa, vs. Ohio State, at Oregon.

16. Northwestern (2-2, 1-1): Wildcats jump up a spot after hanging on for a 17-14 victory over lowly UCLA.

17. Purdue (2-2, 0-1): Boilermakers were idle ahead of visit from Illinois.