College Football Big Ten power rankings entering Week 5
· Yahoo Sports
For once, the Big Ten was the most difficult conference in college football to rank this week. Now at four weeks into the season, we have a large enough sample size to know who is outperforming or underperforming their preseason expectations. And honestly, given how bad some of the teams in this league looked last week (like Washington and Maryland), it became a difficult task to find 10 teams worthy of ranking.
Visit rouesnews.click for more information.
MORE: College Football biggest risers & fallers after Week 4
Ranks 10-7
Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) warms up prior to the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)10. Michigan
The Wolverines are just barely hanging on to the tenth spot this week. Mainly because the bottom of the league has just been so bad. But man, that Oklahoma loss isn’t aging well, either. The Wolverines are really just one of those teams who are built to play close games — they don’t really separate from anybody. Which means they will be ripe to pull an upset or get massively upset.
9. Penn State
In 2024, Rocco Becht looked like a potential NFL QB while at Iowa State. But he was throwing to Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, two NFL wide receivers. Since then, he’s been mediocre, at best. In the Week 4 loss against Wisconsin, he only threw for 114 yards and could not generate a first down in the fourth quarter.
8. Minnesota
Watch two games of Drake Lindsey, and you’ll have no idea what to make of him. Bad Drake Lindsey makes Gophers fans long for the days of Athan Kaliakmanis. Good Drake Lindsey looks like an NFL QB. It was good Drake Lindsey who threw for 3 TDs in an upset victory over Washington (there was also some strange PJ Fleck behavior, but we’ve come to expect that by now)
7. Wisconsin
QB Colton Joseph had a little bit of good and a little bit of bad in Week 4, but whatever it was, it was enough for Wisconsin to rally and upset Penn State 24-20. This team is good on the lines of scrimmage, and Joseph has the ability to make plays with his arm or his legs. This team could be a giant-killer this season.
Ranks 6-4
Sep 26, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Madden Iamaleava (10) fumbles the snap in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)6. UCLA
It was a difficult travel spot for UCLA, as they traveled across the country and right to the heart of the East Coast nor’easter this past weekend to play Maryland. None of that mattered, as the Bruins rolled to a 54-3 victory.
5. Iowa
The Hawkeyes snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in Week 4, as Hank Brown’s pass to Reece Vander Zee on the final play of regulation lifted Iowa over Michigan, 20-19. This Hawkeyes team is what they are — they play elite defense, they’re great on special teams — and now they have the offense that can drive 90 yards under two minutes for a win.
4. USC
The Trojans get to sit at 4 this week, solely because no one else has done enough to supplant them. The upcoming schedule is a gauntlet. But we know what the Trojans are — the offense is spectacular, and the defense is terrible. It will be a disappointment if this team can’t reach the CFP in two full years of Jayden Maiava as a starter.
MORE:Dylan Raiola can prove all doubters wrong with newest opportunity
Top 3
Sep 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dylan Raiola (8) throws a pass against the USC Trojans during the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)3. Oregon
The Ducks somewhat redeemed themselves after their early-season slip-up to Oklahoma State. But now, with the injury to Dante Moore, we get to see what Dylan Raiola is made of. He was a little bit of a failure at Nebraska, but this is an entirely new supporting cast and system that could change that outlook.
2. Indiana
We still know very little about this team. Against Northwestern, Lee Beebe ran wild, rushing for over 200 yards, but the Hoosiers failed to win by double digits. They’re 4-0 overall, but 0-4 against the spread this season. Good teams win; great teams cover, and that is a hallmark of a Cignetti team. Have the Hoosiers taken a step back?
1. Ohio State
It was the Jeremiah Smith show against Illinois. 12 catches, 217 yards, and 4 TDs. Just when you thought he couldn’t get any better, he does this. He’s so clearly the best wide receiver draft prospect since Julio Jones, and you could make a compelling argument that he’s better than Julio Jones.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —