Penn State football pushing for top spot in new Big Ten power rankings

Penn State football is still riding the momentum of its season-opening victory, a 34-12 win over West Virginia in Morgantown last Saturday. The Nittany Lions battled the hostile environment and the elements, but still controlled all three phases of the game for (literally) the entire afternoon. It was certainly an impressive showing from Blue and White, one that requires a restructuring of our weekly Big Ten power rankings. How close are James Franklin and the Nittany Lions to claiming the conference’s top spot?

Penn State football rises in Week 2 edition of Big Ten power rankings

Week 1 of college football is in the books. Hope everyone enjoyed as much football as possible from Thursday all the way through Monday night. Well, maybe all of us but this one unfortunate Florida State fan enjoyed it.

All 18 Big Ten teams were in action last week. And yes, it’s still weird to say that number of conference teams. With each program facing non-conference contests, the Big Ten went 17-1 overall. Thanks a lot, Gophers. You can take a guess where Minnesota ended up in this week’s edition of the Big Ten power rankings. Read on to see where everyone else ranks.

18. Minnesota, 0-1 (Last week 15)

The Gophers were the only Big Ten program to lose their season opener, dropping their home game 19-17 to North Carolina on Thursday night. It came down to a battle of field goals, with Tar Heels kicker Noah Burnette making all four of his attempts and his Minnesota counterpart missing two of his three attempts, including the potential game-winner as time expired.

The Gophers looked inept on offense for most of the second half. Minnesota looks to rebound against Rhode Island next.

17. Purdue, 1-0 (Last week 18)

It was a rout of Indiana State 49-0 that kicked off the Boilermakers season. Quarterback Hudson Card was money all game long, only missing one pass on 25 attempts while finding the endzone four times. Purdue had over 580 yards total offense while holding the Sycamores to just 154 yards.

Indiana State is a nice tune-up game with no preseason in college football. The Boilermakers will have a bye week and then take a giant step up in competition when they host Notre Dame.

16. Indiana, 1-0 (Last week 17)

It was a nice debut for Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, who replaces current Penn State football defensive coordinator Tom Allen. The Hoosiers took down Florida International 31-7. Cignetti became the first Indiana coach to win his coaching debut since 2007.

A huge positive for the Hoosiers was their team total 234 rushing yards, more than any other game a year ago. Elijah Green and Ty Son Lawton were the workhorses, including Green’s long run of 51 yards for a score. Indiana hosts Western Illinois on Friday night.

15. Illinois, 1-0 (Last week 16)

Illinois opened its season with a 45-point shutout of Eastern Illinois Thursday evening in Champaign. Quarterback Luke Altmyer tossed four scores while the Illini defense held the Panthers to under 200 yards and forced four turnovers.

Illinois takes a step up in competition this Saturday night when they host No. 19 Kansas.

14. UCLA 1-0, (Last week 14)

The Bruins visited Honolulu and had their hands full of the host Rainbow Warriors. Down 10-0 at halftime, the Bruins needed nearly all of the final two quarters just to pull ahead 16-13. UCLA hung on for the game’s remaining minute to secure the win in head coach DeShaun Foster’s debut.

The Bruins had a lot of questions coming into the season and probably have even more now. UCLA gets an off week followed by the program’s first conference game against Indiana.

13. Northwestern, 1-0 (Last week 13)

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While not the most exciting game offensively, Northwestern’s gameday setting is pretty sweet and unique. The Wildcats defeated Miami (Ohio) 13-6 in the debut of their temporary home by Lake Michigan while new Ryan Field is being built over the next two seasons.

Last season, Northwestern was beat up badly at Duke 38-14. The Wildcats will have revenge on their minds as the Blue Devils come to Evanston Friday night.

12. Michigan State, 1-0 (Last week 12)

The Spartans started the Jonathan Smith era in East Lansing with a mistake filled 16-10 win over Florida Atlantic Friday evening. Neither team eclipsed 300 total yards, and they combined for five turnovers.

The Spartans hit the road this Saturday, opening up conference play at Maryland.

11. Rutgers, 1-0 (Last week 11)

Rutgers took care of business against Howard Thursday night at home, beating the Bison 44-7. Former Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis looked good in his debut with the Scarlet Knights, tossing three touchdowns.

Rutgers does have one of the easier schedules in the Big Ten, so this team could have a solid season. However let’s see some more difficult competition than a FCS team before jumping to too many conclusions. The Scarlet Knights welcome Akron this week.

10. Nebraska, 1-0 (Last week 10)

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Highly touted quarterback Dylan Raiola was solid in his debut, going 19-27 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. The Huskers smothered UTEP 40-7. In addition to lighting up the scoreboard, the Huskers posted over 500 total yards.

A highly anticipated showdown with Colorado is up next in Lincoln. Colorado won last year’s matchup 36-14 in Boulder.

9. Maryland, 1-0 (Last week 9)

Billy Edwards completed his first seven passes and finished with 311 yards and two touchdowns as the Terps routed UConn 50-7. The Terps defense kept the Huskies in check and caused three turnovers.

Maryland opens conference play against Michigan State at home this week. The Terps have won the last two matchups in the series.

8. Iowa, 1-0 (Last week 8)

Iowa shut out Illinois State 40-0. Most of the offensive output came in the second half for the Hawkeyes. It was only 6-0 at halftime.

Have the Hawkeyes turned the page with new offensive coordinator Tim Lester? Let’s wait to see them face a non-FCS foe first. Iowa hosts rival Iowa State next.

7. Washington, 1-0 (Last week 7)

The Jedd Fisch era in Seattle started off with a 35-3 victory over FCS foe Weber State. Running back Jonah Coleman found the endzone three times on his way to 127 yards on only 16 carries.

The Huskies host Eastern Michigan this upcoming Saturday afternoon.

6. Wisconsin, 1-0 (Last week 6)

The Badgers had a bit of a scare Friday night against Western Michigan. The Broncos took a 14-13 lead early in the fourth quarter. However, Wisconsin was able to score the final 15 points of the game to win 28-14.

The Badgers have a tune-up game against FCS South Dakota before kicking up the competition against Alabama in two weeks.

5. Michigan, 1-0 (Last week 4)

Michigan took on Fresno State Saturday night at the Big House and looked sluggish throughout. The Bulldogs made it a 16-10 ballgame with about 10 minutes to play. The Wolverines would tack on two touchdowns, including an 86-yard pick-six, to make the final score look better than what it really was.

Michigan was held to under 270 total yards. It is only one game, but there is much to improve for new head coach Sherrone Moore and Michigan. The Wolverines take a step back in this week’s power rankings, falling to No. 5. They do not have a ton of time to correct mistakes as third-ranked Texas visits Ann Arbor this Saturday.

4. USC, 1-0 (Last week 5)

A back-and-forth game against LSU saw Trojans running back Woody Marks score his second touchdown of the night with just eight seconds left. USC topped the Tigers 27-20 in one of the better games of the weekend.

The Trojans allowed 308 yards through the air, but USC quarterback Miller Moss threw the ball for 378 yards. The secondary still could use some work, but this was a good start for the season, and the Trojans are rewarded in our power rankings as a result. USC has its home opener versus Utah State Saturday night.

3. Oregon, 1-0 (Last week 2)

Oregon struggled against FCS Idaho Saturday in Autzen Stadium, but the Ducks did prevail 24-14. The Vandals cut the deficit to just three points with less than 10 minutes to go. Oregon tacked on a touchdown on its next possession and hung on for the victory.

Talent-wise, this is a better team than what was shown against Idaho. However, the lackluster performance led to a position drop in this week’s power ranking for the Big Ten newcomer. The Ducks will look for a better showing against Boise State this Saturday.

2. Penn State, 1-0 (Last week 3)

© Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

It was almost like two different games rolled into one, with a lightning delay extending halftime for over two hours. Nevertheless, Penn State football looked great in both halves against the Mountaineers.

For one game, at least, the revamped offense looked superb. Drew Allar threw three touchdowns. Nick Singleton looked like he did two seasons ago, running for 113 yards and a score. The defense did not miss a beat under the leadership of Tom Allen.

It’s one game only, but it’s a great start. Compared to Oregon, this is why Penn State football jumps a spot in our Week 2 Big Ten power rankings.

With a five-week stretch that includes four home games, a bye, two MAC opponents, and a pair of Big Ten contests against programs in the bottom third of our power rankings, there’s ample opportunity for Penn State football to build on the current feeling of excitement around the program over the next month.

The Nittany Lions have their home opener against Bowling Green on Saturday.

1. Ohio State, 1-0 (Last week 1)

Akron found the scoreboard first, going up 3-0 with under nine minutes left in the first quarter. The Buckeyes would score the next 31 points on their way to a 52-6 rout of the Zips. Will Howard’s debut under center was solid as he tossed three touchdown passes.

The Buckeyes are likely to not face a difficult challenge in September. They host Western Michigan next.

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