Big Ten Power Rankings: Michigan Reigns Under Jim Harbaugh



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An early season trip to Madison helped clarify the Michigan season.

The Wolverines are just a Harvaugh Fifth Year contender, which few would have expected when he arrived in Ann Arbor. An offensive overhaul of the offensive has left Michigan with no identity and the defense is no longer representative of what Don Brown has put on the field in recent seasons.

It was not just a loss of explosion in Wisconsin. That's how wolverines looked in 2019.

In this week's standings:

Matthew Putney | Photo AP

14. RUTGERS (1-2)

Art Sitkowski has rushed for 304 yards, which was not enough in a 30-16 loss to Boston College. Receiver Raheem Blacksheer was his main target. He had 130 yards out of a total of nine catches, including one for a touchdown. And it is the "celebration" of a LO after the TD that became viral on Saturday afternoon. (Last week: 14)

NEXT: Rutgers at Michigan, 12 pm Saturday

David Banks | Photo AP

13. NORTHWEST (1-2)

The Wildcats struggles in September continued against Michigan State with Hunter Johnson completing only 15 of his 26 passes for an 88-yard pass and RB Drake Anderson did not find the end zone until the game is out of control. Johnson was retired in the fourth quarter and his replacement (Aidan Smith) had two INTs. And things could be even more ugly next week, with a trip to Madison looming. (Last week: 12)

NEXT: Northwest Wisconsin, 12 pm Saturday

Holly Hart | Photo AP

12. ILLINOIS (2-2)

A 21-14 lead at halftime was turned into 28-14 and the Champaign people started to believe it. But Nebraska rallied and Illinois' offense stalled in a 42-38 loss. The Illini offensive line controlled the game early as Reggie Corbin finished with 134 yards in 20 races. But quarterback Brandon Peters really struggled, having only 9 passes out of 22 for 78 yards. And the defense gave the Cornhuskers 690 yards of total offense. (Last week: 13)

NEXT: OF

Michael Conroy | Photo AP

11. PURDUE (1-2)

After a defeat against TCU, Jeff Brohm put the boilermakers to a week of physical and intense absence. We will see if this can shake a game in progress that is virtually nonexistent. But the success of Purdue is based on the health of quarterback Elijah Sindelar, who missed the loss to the Horned Frogs in a concussion. (Last week: 10)

NEXT: Purdue vs Minnesota, 3:30 pm Saturday

Darron Cummings | Photo AP

10. INDIANA (3-1)

Michael Penix Jr. missed his second consecutive game, but Peyton Ramsey barely missed a shot, and the Hoosiers took a 38-3 win over UConn, bouncing off their loss to Ohio State. Ramsey had 23 of 27 passes for a total of 247 yards and three touchdowns and Stevie Scott added 97 yards and one touchdown in 21 carries. Indiana has won 17 of its last 18 non-conference games. When will he put that in the success of Big Ten? (Last week: 11)

NEXT: Indiana at Michigan State, 3:30 pm Saturday

Holly Hart | Photo AP

9. NEBRASKA (2-1)

It was the first Cornhusker win on the road under Scott Frost (1-7), but it was not easy. Nebraska took the lead in Illinois only in the fourth quarter and was saved by a statistically dominant performance of Adrian Martinez. The QB collected 327 yards and three touchdowns and added 118 to the ground in 18 carries. But he also lost two fumbles in four Cornhusker turnovers that kept the game tight. Frost still has some work to do before Ohio State (and ESPN's College GameDay?!?) Do not visit Lincoln this week. (Last week: 9)

NEXT: Nebraska vs Ohio State, 7:30 pm Saturday

Andy Manis | Photo AP

8. MICHIGAN (2-1)

Maybe never. The "If not now, when?" The answer to the question was strong during the trip from Michigan to Madison. Maybe this is the year when the Wolverines win the Big Ten under Jim Harbaugh? That seems unlikely, with an offense that was still a mess after spring break and a defense that barely resembled what Don Brown had already prepared. One of the lowest points of the Harbaugh era in Ann Arbor, and there will be more to come in 2019 if things are not repaired. (Last week: 5)

NEXT: Michigan vs. Rutgers, 12 pm Saturday

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Chris Szagola | Photo AP

7. MARYLAND (2-1)

After two games and 142 points, the Terps offensive has attracted the attention of everyone from college football. Then a loss of 20-17 in favor of Temple and Maryland limped in his week off. This week, the Terps will have the Big Ten scene for themselves with Penn State for a Friday night game. (Last week: 8)

NEXT: Maryland vs. Penn State, 8 pm Friday

Bruce Kluckhohn | Photo AP

6. MINNESOTA (3-0)

Maybe P.J. Fleck has bought a lotto ticket over the past week, as the Golden Gophers have certainly had the chance to stay undefeated, with three wins for a total of 13 points. Now a trip to West Lafayette, where Purdue will be desperate for a win and looking for revenge for the 41-10 defeat last year. (Last week: 7)

NEXT: Minnesota to Purdue, 3:30 pm Saturday

David Banks | Photo AP

5. STATE OF MICHIGAN (3-1)

Mark Dantonio won 110th place, thanks to an excellent Spartan rebound performance against a North West team that beat them three times in a row. Brian Lewerke threw three touchdown passes, Elijah Collins got another and the Michigan State Defense, led by Joe Bachie (13 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) was feasted. It was the first time that Michigan State had totaled 30 points in Big Ten since last September against Indiana. (Last week: 6)

NEXT: Michigan State vs. Indiana, 3:30 pm Saturday

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Barry Reeger | Photo AP

4. PENN STATE (3-0)

Every week, Sean Clifford is becoming more comfortable and the defense of the Nittany Lions continues to impress. Clifford has 781 passing yards and six touchdowns, with no interceptions. KJ Hamler and Pat Freiermuth each have only 10 receptions in three games. If the offense is to move to the next step, more needs to be done. (Last week: 4)

NEXT: Penn State at Maryland, 8 pm Friday

Charlie Neibergall | Photo AP

3. IOWA (3-0)

Kirk Ferentz's team is undefeated and another off-conference fix before the Big Ten match begins. Then, it will be immediate tests against Michigan and Penn State, with the November 9th clash against Wisconsin that should determine the Big Ten West. (Last week: 2)

NEXT: Iowa vs. State of Middle Tennnessee, 12 noon Saturday

Andy Manis | Photo AP

2. WISCONSIN (3-0)

Wisconsin football at its absolute best was on Saturday. Jonathan Taylor cut Michigan's defense and could have easily run for 300 yards without cramps. Instead, Taylor was content with 203 and two touchdowns, quarterback Jack Coan was stable and efficient (13 of 16, 128 yards) and the Badgers' defense continued to show the bite of the team. last year, despite his first points of the season. (Last week: 3)

NEXT: Wisconsin vs. Northwestern, 12 pm Saturday

Jay LaPrete | Photo AP

1. OHIO STATE (4-0)

The Buckeyes were behind Miami-Ohio 5-0 and led 7-5 at the end of the first quarter. Then Justin Fields had six more touchdowns before half-time. In the end, there were 76 unanswered points, with the QBs of Ohio combining seven TD passes. The states of Nebraska and Michigan are expected to offer at least some resistance over the next two weeks, for a variety of reasons, but the Buckeyes continue to appear elite. (Last week: 1)

NEXT: Ohio State in Nebraska, 7:30 pm Saturday

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