With most teams having played either four or five games, it’s time to take stock of how the Big Ten Conference’s best teams stack up. In this article I’ll rate the top 10 teams in the conference, giving rationale for each.

Keep in mind this is not a ‘most deserving’ ranking, rather an ordinal list of how I’d favor each team against each other on a neutral field.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

While Ohio State hasn’t necessarily proven a lot through high-quality competition, they’ve given us every reason to think they’re one of the few best teams in the nation. Quarterback Will Howard has done a great job distributing to receiver Jeremiah Smith and the Buckeyes’ host of other weapons.

On the defensive side, Ohio State is giving up an average of 6.8 PPG, good for first in the country. As I mentioned, this has come against relatively weak competition but it’s hard to ask for much better than first.

I’m sticking to my preseason prediction of Ohio State winning the national title and I think they’ve shown all the signs of a top shelf team through four games.

2. Oregon Ducks

Despite a couple of rocky games to start the season, the Ducks have rounded into form enough for me to keep them ranked where I had them entering the year. Like Ohio State, Oregon hasn’t faced much in the way of stiff competition so far but the team seems to be improving with each passing week.

I’d pick the Buckeyes over the Ducks if they were to match up on a neutral field but that’s not to say there’s a lot of separation. The good news for fans is we’ll get a great read for how these two stack up when they play at Autzen Stadium next Saturday.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State has proven more than maybe any other team in the Big Ten so far, which isn’t saying a lot. The Nittany Lions played then-undefeated Illinois and thoroughly controlled the game from start to finish.

Penn State is seventh in the nation in average points allowed and the offense has put up a solid 36 PPG. This honestly reminds me a lot of past Penn State teams, which is good enough for third in the conference at present.

4. USC Trojans

While the loss to Michigan hurts USC’s case a bit, I’d favor the Trojans in a rematch, particularly on a neutral field. Miller Moss has been rock solid at quarterback and USC’s defense has ratcheted things up a notch, now allowing just 17 PPG on average.

I do think there remain questions about the physicality of the Trojans’ defensive interior, particularly now that tackle Bear Alexander opted out of the remainder of 2024, but USC remains a highly dangerous team that could beat almost anyone under the right circumstances.

5. Michigan Wolverines

I had to think about this one a lot. While Michigan’s passing attack is truly about as bad as it gets in major college football, this team has largely found ways to win against all but the best opponents.

Quarterback Alex Orji at least provides a rushing threat for the Wolverines and the ground game remains very strong overall. Their win over USC was impressive but it was a chaotic game that I wouldn’t bet on playing out the same way a second time.

You probably aren’t, but don’t get over your skis on Michigan.

6. Indiana Hoosiers

It took a lot of willpower not to put the Hoosiers ahead of Michigan but on a neutral field, I’d take the Wolverines to win by a nose. Indiana’s looked fantastic in 2024 with a 5-0 record but hasn’t faced a legitimately good opponent and had some degree of trouble putting away a Maryland team that no one considers world-beaters.

The Indiana train doesn’t figure to slow down any time soon as its next three games feature Northwestern and home games against Nebraska and Washington before the Hoosiers take on Michigan on November 9th. Look out for coach Curt Cignetti‘s team as going undefeated through this stretch could put them on track for a Big Ten Championship game appearance.

7. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

How about Rutgers? A program that’s been dormant for some time now has the wind in its sails and carries a 4-0 record into week six.

This is a phenomenally balanced outfit that features the No. 36 scoring offense along with the No. 29 scoring defense, making them a tough out for any opponent. While I think talent deficiencies and a lack of offensive dynamism will hold them back down the stretch, this is a quality team that’s greatly outperformed expectations thus far.

8. Nebraska Cornhuskers

A home loss to Illinois put a damper on things but I still think Nebraska finishes the season with about eight wins. Its week two manhandling of Colorado looks better and better by the day and I wouldn’t expect the same outcome if it was to play Illinois again.

Having the answer in quarterback Dylan Raiola has made a massive difference for this team while its staunch defense (No. 9 in PPG allowed) will keep it in a lot of games.

9. Illinois Fighting Illini

I did think the game against Penn State was winnable for Illinois but the playmaking ability of this offense remains a problem. The Fighting Illini must now take on Michigan, Oregon, Michigan State, and Rutgers before the end of the season and I think it’ll be hard for them to sustain the momentum they had through four games.

10. Iowa Hawkeyes

I really thought this was the year Iowa’s offense would take a step forward but that simply hasn’t happened. The defense here remains strong but a complete inability to pass the ball against even decent teams is a recipe for losing a lot of Big Ten games.

I still wouldn’t love a matchup with Iowa as an opposing fan but this team really doesn’t have the teeth to compete in even the upper-middle of the conference as presently constructed.

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