We’ve made it through five weeks in the new, improved, and expanded Big Ten, and ach time out provides additional data points and eyeball tests to try and figure out the pecking order in the conference might be.
We’ve been doing this for a few years now. We let all of the Big Ten football games play out each week then do our level best to make sense of what the best teams in the conference are. With the additions of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington, we now have more to take into consideration, including later nights and more teams to try and sift through.
But hey, that’s OK, we get paid to try and figure this all out, so we’re here for it. Ohio State look impressive again in its first Big Ten contest, and on the road at that. But what about Michigan after it struggled with Minnesota? And Penn State? Are the Nittany Lions ready to approach “elite” status? What are the surprise teams in the league so far? Will USC, Nebraska, or another team continue to impress?
Here’s a look at how we see the power rankings of the Big Ten after five weeks of action. Don’t sling mud at us just yet because we’re sure this thing will change a hundred different ways from now until the end of the season with so many marquee matchups in the 18-team league.
18
UCLA Bruins (1-3, 0-2)
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Why the Ranking
Last Week (No. 18 – no change)
Lost vs. Oregon, 34-17
Why the Ranking
UCLA did look a little more competitive against the Ducks, but alas, it’s still another loss. The Rose Bowl is beautiful, the team that plays inside of it, not so much at this point.
Next Up … at Penn State
17
Northwestern Wildcats (2-2, 0-1)

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Last Week (No. 17 – no change)
Off Week
Why the Ranking
Northwestern enjoyed an off week and now has to find a way to generate some offense through the rest of the season or be in…
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