The 2017 college football season is here, and after one week we've seen some movement in the power balance in the Big Ten conference. The conference collectively went 11-3, with one inter-conference game this week.
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Here's a look at where the strength in the conference lies after week one. New power rankings will be released each Monday during the college football season.
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14. Illinois Fighting Illini (1-0)
Week 1: vs. Ball State; W 24-21
This Week: vs. Western Kentucky
Movement: Down 1
Despite a win, Illinois moves into the last spot in the power rankings. That's because the Fighting Illini looked anything but powerful, needing to block a field goal as time expired (and avoiding a roughing the kicker penalty) to preserve a three-point lead and defeat Ball State.
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13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0-1)
Week 1: vs. Washington; L 30-14
This Week: vs. Eastern Michigan
Movement: Up 1
Rutgers was surprising in its debut and led Washington early. The Huskies adjusted and won by 16 points after a long away trip, but Rutgers' performance could be a momentum-builder. That is, if the Scarlet Knights believe in moral victories.
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12. Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0)
Week 1: vs. Arkansas State; W 43-36
This Week: at Oregon
Movement: Down 6
Nebraska pulled out a win in a high-scoring affair with the Sun Belt's Arkansas State, but it shouldn't instill confidence in the Cornhuskers' defense or new quarterback Tanner Lee. Nebraska has some things to figure out.
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11. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-0)
Week 1: vs. Buffalo; W 17-7
This Week: at Oregon State
Movement: Down 3
The Golden Gophers slowly rowed the boat to a win in PJ Fleck's coaching debut. A win is a win — you don't get style points — but Minnesota looked anything but impressive in a 10-point win over a Buffalo team that won just two games a year ago.
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10. Purdue Boilermakers (0-1)
Week 1: vs. Louisville; L 35-28
This Week: vs. Ohio
Movement: Up 2
A big surprise this weekend was just how good of a game the Purdue Boilermakers gave Louisville and returning Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. The Boilermakers have to figure out what to do at quarterback and the defense gave up nearly 500 yards to Jackson, but it was a better effort than most expected.
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9. Indiana Hoosiers (0-1, 0-1 B1G)
Week 1: vs. Ohio State; L 49-21
This Week: at Virginia
Movement: N/A
Indiana looked good early against Ohio State and showed they have a legitimate weapon in wide receiver Simmie Cobbs. The Hoosiers didn't have the staying power, though, and succumbed late to the Buckeyes. Indiana could still be a good team, they just aren't likely a top-tier Big ten squad.
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8. Michigan State Spartans (1-0)
Week 1: vs. Bowling Green, W 35-10
This Week: vs. Western Michigan
Movement: Up 2
Michigan State was so bad in 2016 we didn't kow what to expect this year. A 25-point win over an inferior Bowling Green team doesn't tell us a whole lot, but it's a step in the right direction.
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7. Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0)
Week 1: vs. Wyoming; W 24-3
This Week: at Iowa State
Movement: N/A
A trendy upset pick thanks to Wyoming's Josh Allen, Iowa shut down the potential top 5 draft pick to the tune of 174 yards and two touchdowns. Next up is the battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy against Iowa State.
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6. Northwestern Wildcats (1-0)
Week 1: vs. Nevada; W 31-20
This Week: at Duke
Movement: Down 1
Northwestern earned a pretty a good win against Nevada in week one, but we want to see a bit more out of the offense. It took Justin Jackson 30 carries to get to 100 yards and Clayton Thorson was good, but not great. This team has a ton of potential to compete.
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5. Maryland Terrapins (1-0)
Week 1: at Texas; W 51-41
This Week: vs. Towson
Movement: Up 6
Maryland was the surprise of the weekend in the Big Ten, as the Terps went to Texas and won an entertaining game, spoiling Tom Herman's debut as the Longhorns head coach. Maybe that was Maryland head coach DJ Durkin's way of saying "don't forget about me!" We won't, DJ.
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4. Michigan Wolverines (1-0)
Week 1: vs. Florida; W 33-17
This Week: vs. Cincinnati
Movement: N/A
Michigan won a marquee matchup that wasn't always pretty on offense but featured some incredible defensive play. Wilton Speight needs to get better at QB if the Wolverines are going to be a CFP contender, but if the offense was good enough to keep them in the game against a defense like Florida, Michigan should have no trouble until they hit their toughest conference foes.
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3. Wisconsin Badgers (1-0)
Week 1: vs. Utah State; W 59-10
This Week: vs. FAU
Movement: N/A
The Badgers looked bad for nearly two quarters before reeling off 59 straight points to blow away Utah State in the opener. Wisconsin showed in that second half that they have a lot of weapons on both sides of the ball, and if the offense stays potent the Big Ten needs to look out. Lane Kiffin and FAU are next.
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2. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0, 1-0 B1G)
Week 1: at Indiana; W 49-21
This Week: vs. No.7 Oklahoma
Movement: N/A
The only team with a win in the conference column, Ohio State took out Indiana in convincing fashion after the Hoosiers hung around for awhile. Ohio State has a chance to make a statement in week two against a ranked Oklahoma squad.
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1. Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0)
Week 1: vs. Akron; W 52-0
This Week: vs. Pitt
Movement: N/A
Penn State didn't play a tough challenger in week one, but they did exactly what they needed to do — handle their business. Saquon Barkley was unstoppable, Trace McSorley did enough, and the defense pitched a shutout. A good start for the returning conference champions.
