How far Michigan fell, and a new No. 18 in Big Ten football power rankings after Week 1
Volatility will eventually find the power rankings, but with so much holding serve in Week 1, we need to wait a little longer for that.
The top of the Big Ten generally delivered as expected. Michigan took a hit for its troubles, and while we have the same No. 1, we have a new No. 18:
1. Indiana (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (1): 52-16 win vs. North Texas
What to know: Indiana got pushed around a little bit more than expected up front, not unlike its opener last season against Old Dominion. But Josh Hoover tossed four touchdown passes and looked right at home captaining his new offense.
2. Ohio State (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (2):56-3 win vs. Ball State
What to know: Now we get one of the most anticipated games of the month. Ohio State-Texas set the terms for both teams early last season. Will the same be said this time around?
3. Oregon (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (3): 34-27 win vs. Boise State
This week: at Oklahoma State, Sept. 12
What to know: The Ducks survived a nervous afternoon in Week 1 in Eugene. But lost in the stress Boise State put on Oregon were encouraging signs from Dante Moore (378 yards, 3 TDs) and his offense.
4. Southern Cal (2-0, 0-0)
Last week (4):39-0 win vs. Fresno State
This week: Louisiana, Sept. 12
What to know: Southern Cal’s defense gave up 23 points in the fourth quarter of a long-dead game against San Jose State … and three points total in the other seven. Jayden Maiava and the offense have carried on seamlessly.
5. Penn State (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (5): 45-0 win vs. Marshall
This week: at Temple (Lincoln Financial Field), Sept. 12
What to know: Matt Campbell got exactly the start he would’ve wanted to his first season in State College. Sophomore wideout Koby Howard rolled up 161 receiving yards and a score.
6. Iowa (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (8):40-0 win vs. Northern Illinois
This week:Iowa State, Sept. 12
What to know: In Kamari Moulton and Tony Diaz, Iowa’s offense has legitimate weapons at multiple skill positions this fall. Clarity and consistency are still needed behind center.
7. Washington (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (6): 24-10 win vs. Washington State
This week: Utah State, Sept. 12
What to know: The Huskies outgained their Apple Cup rival by 160 yards, but struggled to finish drives. When you possess the quarterback talent Washington does, that typically gets fixed with time.
8. Nebraska (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (9):49-21 win vs. Ohio
This week: Bowling Green, Sept. 12
What to know: This game was much closer for much longer than the final score suggests. Still, Matt Rhule looks like he has a good complement to his pass game in running back Jamal Rule.
9. Illinois (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (10): 42-23 win vs. UAB
What to know: Illinois never felt dominant against UAB, nor really in serious trouble. The Big Ten’s wide receiver conversation is a crowded one. Is there room for Collin Dixon? Should be.
10. Minnesota (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (11):59-7 win vs. Eastern Illinois
This week: Mississippi State, Sept. 12
What to know: Minnesota dominated in all the ways it should have in Week 1. We’ll have a better idea of this team’s potential after Week 2.
11. Michigan (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (7): 13-12 win vs. Western Michigan
This week: No. 9 Oklahoma, Sept. 12
What to know: Michigan might have found the extra second and the miracle throw it needed to salvage something from Saturday night, but it won’t find much love here. The Wolverines have a lot of work to do.
More:Will Bryce Underwood remain Michigan’s QB? ‘It’s not something that’s infinite’
Get better, not bitter:WMU’s plan to recover from Michigan loss
12. UCLA (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (13):45-24 win vs. Cal
This week: San Diego State, Sept. 12
What to know: After an impressive fourth-quarter close against Cal, there’s a legitimate path to UCLA being 4-0 heading to Oregon on Oct. 10.
13. Northwestern (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (12): 34-18 win vs. South Dakota State
What to know: The first test of the Chip Kelly-Aiden Chiles collaboration did not come without hiccups, but there’s enough there to build upon.
14. Wisconsin (0-1, 0-0)
Last week (14):41-13 loss vs. Notre Dame (Lambeau Field)
This week: Western Illinois, Sept. 12
What to know: Wisconsin’s defense hung in for the best part of three quarters against Notre Dame, but defense isn’t what’s been holding the Luke Fickell project back in Madison.
15. Maryland (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (15): 62-0 win vs. Hampton
What to know: As expected from Mike Locksley’s crew in Week 1. This weekend’s trip to UConn will tell us a lot about the Terps.
16. Michigan State (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (17):30-20 win vs. Toledo
This week: Eastern Michigan, Sept. 12
What to know: Kyle Whittingham wasn’t the only man coaching his first game in Michigan to get a MAC scare. Pat Fitzgerald should be encouraged by what he got out of his quarterback though.
17. Purdue (1-0, 0-0)
Last week (18): 44-19 win vs. Indiana State
This week: Wake Forest, Sept. 12
What to know: If we’re talking games that might set the course of seasons, Purdue’s visit this weekend from Wake Forest looms large. The divergence in a win and a loss for Barry Odom’s crew is … considerable.
18. Rutgers (0-1, 0-0)
Last week (16):37-21 loss vs. UMass
This week: at Boston College, Sept. 11
What to know: It wasn’t so much the losing to a team that went winless last year, but rather the how. Rutgers got straight up bullied by UMass, at home, on opening night. Not great.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star:How far Michigan fell, and a new No. 18 in Big Ten football power rankings after Week 1
Source: sports.yahoo.com
