Big Ten power rankings: Clear No. 1 after Week 1, but what about the rest?

Week 1 of the college football season is in the books, and it was a largely successful start for the Big Ten.

The conference went 16-2 to kick off 2025, although the competition level varied. Only three Big Ten teams opened against another Power Four program, making it difficult to come to any sound determinations with such a small sample size.

Nevertheless, there were some notable results that led to some early movement in MLive’s Big Ten power rankings. Here’s the latest after the Week 1 slate:

18. Northwestern

• Previous rank: 17
• Last week: Lost to Tulane, 23-3
• Up next: vs. Western Illinois, 7:30 p.m. Friday

New year, same ineptitude on offense for the Wildcats. SMU transfer quarterback Preston Stone had a rough debut, throwing four interceptions and getting sacked three times. Tulane is a quality Group of Five opponent, but Northwestern getting outgained 420-237 doesn’t instill much optimism moving forward.

17. UCLA

• Previous rank: 13
• Last week: Lost to Utah, 43-10
• Up next: at UNLV, 8 p.m. Saturday

Nico Iamaleava might quickly learn the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere. It was rough debut for the high-profile Tennessee transfer quarterback, who completed 11 of 22 passes for 136 yards, one touchdown and an interception. The Bruins’ defense didn’t give him much support, and the team is now an underdog in Week 2 against a Mountain West opponent.

16. Rutgers

• Previous rank: 15
• Last week: Beat Ohio 34-31
• Up next: vs. Miami (OH), 3:30 p.m. Saturday

The Scarlet Knights escaped with a win in Week 1, but the defense showed some warts, allowing 440 yards to a MAC program. The good news for head coach Greg Schiano was QB Athan Kaliakmanis had a strong game, finishing 18 of 23 passing for 252 yards and two scores.

15. Purdue

• Previous rank: 18
• Last week: Beat Ball State, 31-0
• Up next: vs. Southern Illinois, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

The Boilermakers have already matched their win total from last season and did so in impressive fashion under new coach Barry Odom. QB Ryan Browne threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense held the Cardinals to 203 yards.

14. Maryland

• Previous rank: 17
• Last week: Beat FAU, 39-7
• Up next: vs. Northern Illinois, 7:30 p.m. Friday

The Terrapins’ thumping of the Owls was one of the biggest surprises of the opening week. True freshman QB Malik Washington, a top-100 recruit, had a dazzling debut, passing for 258 yards and three touchdowns. The team did allow 354 yards and totaled a whopping 14 penalties for 100 yards, so a larger sample size is needed before making any bold declarations about Maryland.

13. Wisconsin

• Previous rank: 15
• Last week: Beat Miami (OH), 17-0
• Up next: vs. Southern Illinois, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

The good for the Badgers? Miami didn’t muster anything offensively against their defense, totaling a measly 117 yards and two turnovers. But there could be reasons for concern for Wisconsin’s offense. Maryland transfer QB Billy Edwards Jr. suffered a sprained knee and is week-to-week. Danny O’Neil came on in relief and threw for 120 yards, one touchdown and an interception on 12-of-19 passing.

12. Michigan State

• Previous rank: 12
• Last week: Beat Western Michigan, 23-6
• Up next: vs. Boston College, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Overall, a pretty clean opener for the Spartans. The defense, which held the Broncos to 217 yards, was pitching a shutout until backup QB Alessio Milivojevic threw a pick-six late in the fourth quarter. Starter Aidan Chiles was efficient with 17 completions on 23 attempts for 155 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore running back Makhi Frazier had a breakout game with 103 yards on the ground on 14 carries.

11. Minnesota

• Previous rank: 11
• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 23-10  
• Up next: vs. Northwestern State, noon Saturday  

The Gophers’ defense was stingy as expected, holding Buffalo to 151 yards and 1 of 11 on third down. The team’s ceiling likely hinges on the development of redshirt freshman QB Drake Lindsey, who completed 19 of 35 passes for 290 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in his first start.

10. Washington

• Previous rank: 9
• Last week: Beat Colorado State 38-21  
• Up next: vs. UC Davis, 11 p.m. Saturday

The Huskies nearly doubled up the Rams in total offense, 509-265, but it still ended up being a nervy game for Jedd Fisch’s team in the second half. Washington outscored CSU 17-0 in the final 20 minutes to pull away. Jonah Coleman picked up right where he left off last season, carrying 24 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

9. Indiana

• Previous rank: 6
• Last week: Beat Old Dominion, 27-14  
• Up next: vs. Kennesaw State, noon Saturday

The Hoosiers are 1-0, but it wasn’t pretty, especially defensively. Old Dominion rushed for 218 yards and nearly averaged 10 yards per attempt. Indiana’s offense was potent enough to get by Old Dominion behind transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza (18-31 passing, 193 yards) and its three-headed rushing attack with Roman Hemby (23-111), Kaelon Black (17-92) and Lee Beebe Jr. (11-73).

8. Iowa

• Previous rank: 8
• Last week: Beat UAlbany, 34-7
• Up next: at No. 16 Iowa State, noon Saturday

Will the Hawkeyes ever be able to cure their passing game woes? South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski had an underwhelming debut, finishing 8-of-15 passing for 44 yards and a touchdown. Fortunately, the running game (310 yards) and defense (held Albany to 177 yards) still plays under Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes will need a more balanced offensive showing if they plan to pull off the upset this week against their in-state rival.

7. Nebraska

• Previous rank: 7
• Last week: Beat Cincinnati, 20-17   
• Up next: vs. Akron, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Hey, Nebraska actually won a close game. It was dicey late, but Malcolm Hartzog Jr. made a game-sealing interception in the end zone with under two minutes left at Arrowhead Stadium, which essentially was a home game for the Cornhuskers. Their offense leaned heavily on sophomore and former five-star QB Dylan Raiola, who attempted 43 passes. He completed 33 of them but only for 243 yards.

6. USC

• Previous rank: 10
• Last week: Beat Missouri State, 73-13    
• Up next: vs. Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

It doesn’t matter the quality of opponent — if you beat a team by 60 points, you deserve to move up at least a few spots in the rankings. Jayden Maiava was nearly perfect before the backup came in, throwing for 295 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-18 passing. The Trojans also rushed for six scores, while their defense had five sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

5. Illinois

• Previous rank: 5
• Last week: Beat Western Illinois, 52-3    
• Up next: at Duke, noon Saturday

The Illini made a compelling case to move up, but a lopsided victory over an FCS program isn’t enough to climb this week. Nevertheless, Illinois showed why it’s a top-15 team in the country, led by standout quarterback Luke Altmyer. His stat line: 17-21 passing for 217 yards and three scores, while the run game totaled 209 yards.

Defensively, the Illini bottled up Western Illinois’ run game and held its QB to 14 of 29 passing for 134 yards.

4. Michigan

• Previous rank: 4
• Last week: Beat New Mexico, 34-17     
• Up next: at No. 18 Oklahoma  

The 15th-ranked Wolverines appeared well on their way to a blowout victory in the first quarter, moving the ball with ease on their first two drives and forcing consecutive three-and-outs defensively. The Lobos used a pair of trick plays to get back in the game and avoided getting blown out. Five-star freshman phenom Bryce Underwood looked the part and was solid in his debut, but special teams miscues and penalties are areas the team will need to improve heading into the only ranked showdown of the week.

3. Oregon

• Previous rank: 3
• Last week: Beat Montana State, 59-13     
• Up next: vs. Oklahoma State, 3:30 p.m. Saturday

The defending conference champions made easy work of an FCS opponent to kick off the season. Former five-star Detroit King QB Dante Moore was 18 of 23 passing for 213 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers, while 12 players combined to rush for 253 yards.

2. Penn State

• Previous rank: 2
• Last week: Beat Nevada, 46-11      
• Up next: vs. Florida International, noon Saturday  

Heisman candidate Drew Allar is off to a strong start, completing 22 of 26 passes for 217 yards and a score before giving way to backup Ethan Grunkemeyer. The two-headed backfield of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton only combined for 62 rushing yards on 16 carries, although they did total three touchdowns.

1. Ohio State

• Previous rank: 1
• Last week: Beat No. 1 Texas, 14-7       
• Up next: vs. Grambling, 3:30 p.m. Saturday   

So much for a national title hangover after losing 15 starters and eight players in the first 45 picks of this year’s NFL draft. The Buckeyes stymied Heisman Trophy hopeful Arch Manning and the Longhorns’ offense in a Week 1 marquee matchup.

OSU’s offense was quiet for much of the game with first-year starter Julian Sayin behind center, but it didn’t turn the ball over. Sayin and No. 1 receiver Jeremiah Smith, who had 43 receiving yards on six catches, should have more opportunities to get on the same page this week against an FCS opponent.