Iowa Slides in Power Rankings After Heartbreaking Loss

Last Week: 2
Week 5 Result: 30-24 win at Penn State

The Ducks earned the biggest statement victory of the week by going into Beaver Stadium and braving the whiteout to defeat Penn State in a double-overtime thriller. Even though they let the Nittany Lions back into the game after taking a 17-3 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Ducks proved that they are a true national title threat with this win.

3. Indiana Hoosiers (5-0, 2-0)

Last Week: 3
Week 5 Result: 20-15 win at Iowa

The Hoosiers' high-flying offense came back down to Earth against Iowa, but they were still able to overcome their struggles and earn a hard-fought victory. Considering how many highly-ranked teams walk out of Kinnick Stadium with losses, the Hoosiers could consider themselves fortunate.

4. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-1, 0-1)

Last Week: 4
Week 5 Result: 30-24 loss vs. Oregon

In a vacuum, a double-overtime loss to a fellow national championship contender is nothing to be ashamed of. In context, James Franklin is now 4-21 against top-10 opponents as the Nittany Lions' head coach. If he can't beat one now with the whiteout behind him, how is he supposed to do it on the road or at a neutral site?

5. Michigan Wolverines (3-1, 1-0)

Last Week: 7
Week 5 Result: Bye

The Wolverines return from their bye to face Wisconsin in Week 6.

6. Illinois Fighting Illini (4-1, 1-1)

Last Week: 11
Week 5 Result: 34-32 win vs. USC

A strong bounce-back performance from Bret Bielema's team after last week's humiliating loss to Indiana. The Illini were able to withstand a late USC rally and kick a last-second field goal to earn their first Big Ten victory of the season.

7. USC Trojans (4-1, 2-1)

Last Week: 5
Week 5 Result: 34-32 loss at Illinois

Credit to the Trojans for fighting back after falling behind 31-17 early in the fourth quarter, but they just couldn't finish the job. Lincoln Riley's defense once again looks like a weakness after its first matchup against a good offense.

8. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-1, 0-1)

Last Week: 9
Week 5 Result: Bye

The Cornhuskers return from their bye to face Maryland in Week 6.

9. Washington Huskies (3-1, 0-1)

Last Week: 6
Week 5 Result: 24-6 loss vs. Ohio State

In their first game against a Power Four team all season, the Huskies' offense proved to be no match for Ohio State's suffocating defense. They at least kept it somewhat close against the defending national champions, but close isn't good enough.

10. Maryland Terrapins (4-0, 1-0)

Last Week: 10
Week 5 Result: Bye

The Terrapins will put their undefeated record on the line against Washington in Week 6.

11. Iowa Hawkeyes (3-2, 1-1)

Last Week: 8
Week 5 Result: 20-15 loss vs. Indiana

Kinnick Stadium magic nearly led to another upset, but the Hawkeyes just couldn't seal the deal against Indiana. Like countless games over the past few years, the Hawkeyes' defense played phenomenally while the offense struggled.

12. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-1, 1-0)

Last Week: 13
Week 5 Result: 31-28 win vs. Rutgers

The Golden Gophers overcame an early 14-0 deficit to earn a gutsy win in their Big Ten opener. Drake Lindsay threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns to help lead Minnesota to victory.

13. Michigan State Spartans (3-1, 0-1)

Last Week: 12
Week 5 Result: Bye

The Spartans face Nebraska this weekend after their bye.

14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-2, 0-2)

Last Week: 14
Week 5 Result: 31-28 loss at Minnesota

The Scarlet Knights have now seen two leads evaporate in as many games against Big Ten opponents. If just a few plays went differently, they might be 5-0 and much closer to the top of these power rankings, but alas.

15. Purdue Boilermakers (2-2, 0-1)

Last Week: 15
Week 5 Result: Bye

The Boilermakers face a dangerous Illinois team coming out of their bye week.

16. Wisconsin Badgers (2-2, 0-1)

Last Week: 16
Week 5 Result: Bye

The Badgers travel to face Michigan after their bye week as Luke Fickell's seat grows hotter and hotter.

17. Northwestern Wildcats (2-2, 1-1)

Last Week: 17
Week 5 Result: 17-14 win vs. UCLA

The Wildcats were the lucky winners of this season's Big Ten Toilet Bowl and will not go winless in conference play. What an accomplishment.

18. UCLA Bruins (0-4, 0-1)

Last Week: 18
Week 5 Result: 17-14 loss at Northwestern

If the Bruins can't even beat Northwestern, then there's a very good chance that they won't win a game all season. It's honestly quite astounding how quickly things have gone downhill at UCLA since making the jump to the Big Ten.