Week 2 was an exciting one in college football, especially for the Big Ten, which had some big matchups and some big upsets - but not the good kind. When it comes to Michigan, though, fans can check out these power rankings and smile at where the Wolverines landed, but also at where their rivals fell.
The start of the 2026 season has been messy, which includes both preseason No. 1 Ohio State and No. Oregon taking losses by Week 2. Indiana still holds the top spot in the conference, but where does everyone else seem to fall?
Well, let's take a look at my Big Ten Power Rankings after all the action of Week 2.
18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0-2)
This spot may be reserved for Rutgers all season long, especially after the opening loss to a UMass team that hasn't won a game since 2024. To follow that up with a loss to Boston College, who aren't much better, is just the icing on the cake for this Rutgers squad that is primed to struggle all season long.
17. Purdue Boilermakers (1-1)
Purdue tends to live in the basement of any Big Ten power rankings, and these ones are no different. The Boilermakers dropped a game to Wake Forest, which could have been worse; they are at least a power-conference opponent, but heading to UCLA in Week 3 isn't too promising.
16. Northwestern Wildcats (1-0)
With only one game to judge Northwestern by, the Wildcats land close to the bottom of these Big Ten power rankings. The Wildcats did allow South Dakota State to score 18 points on them, and now they get to welcome Colorado to town.
15. Michigan State Spartans (2-0)
Michigan State is 2-0, but those wins came against Toledo and Eastern Michigan, and even those games were closer than they really should have been. The Spartans only beat Toledo by 10 points and were up by only a touchdown on Eastern Michigan at halftime. Pat Fitzgerald is clearly still working through things at his new program.
14. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-1)
Minnesota looked good against Eastern Illinois in Week 1, but a matchup against Mississippi State went downhill fast for the Golden Gophers, causing them to lose their fourth straight regular-season game against power conference opponents. At least the Golden Gophers can get back on the horse against Akron this week.
13. Wisconsin Badgers (1-1)
Wisconsin really threw everyone for a loop by hanging around with Notre Dame in the first half of their Week 1 matchup. However, the Irish ended up dominating, and the Badgers returned to earth. In Week 2, Wisconsin was able to get the win over Western Illinois, but the offense is still not clicking very well, which isn't good for a coach like Luke Fickell, whose seat is scorching hot this season.
12. Maryland Terrapins (2-0)
Like Michigan State, Maryland is undefeated, which is great, but their wins over Hampton and UConn are not something that is going to get them moving up these power rankings, especially with Virginia Tech up next and Big Ten play looming.
11. UCLA Bruins (2-0)
UCLA was a team with a few question marks going into the season about how they would really look with a new head coach and quarterback Nico Iamaleava heading into his second year with the Bruins. They haven't looked bad, but they also haven't necessarily looked good, making this a tough pick on where to slot them. But they are one win away from tying their total wins from last season, so that is something, right?
10. Washington Huskies (2-0)
Even though Washington started the season ranked in the AP Top 25, it is not playing like a ranked team. The Huskies struggled to get past in-state rival Washington State in Week 1, which just got walloped by Kansas State, and only beat Utah State by two points. Both performances have caused the Huskies to fall out of the rankings entirely.
9 Illinois Fighting Illini (1-1)
Illinois' offense looks stronger under the leadership of ECU QB transfer Katin Houser, and his connection with leading receiver Collin Dixon is explosive, but the offense is the problem with this team. The defense, now led by former Montana head coach Bobby Hauck, is struggling big time, mainly with tackling and simply getting off the field.
Bret Bielema is going for his third straight season with nine or more wins, and the loss to Duke was one nobody expected, but the Illini defense is the one to blame there.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-0)
Nebraska opened a new era on offense this season after Dylan Raiola ran to the transfer portal and landed at Oregon. After some swings and misses, the Cornhuskers landed on UNLV transfer Anthony Colandrea to lead the offense, and there have been some growing pains. Either way, though, Nebraska is 2-0 heading into the final non-conference game this season.
7. Oregon Ducks (1-1)
Oregon has probably the most surprising team so far this season, and not in a good way. After barely beating Boise State in Week 1, the luck ran out for the Ducks in Week 2 against Oklahoma State. The defense just can't get stops, and Dante Moore looks more and more human with every drive.
Looks like Dan Lanning used those coordinators more than anyone thought, and the Ducks could be in serious trouble this season.
6. Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0)
Iowa always somehow starts the season ranked in the AP Top 25 and finds a way to fall out by Week 2 after the CyHawk Showdown. This season, though, the Hawkeyes and that stellar defense walked away with the rivalry win. The offense looks better than it has in recent years, but ultimately, more will be answered once they face Michigan to open Big Ten play in Week 4.
5. USC Trojans (3-0)
To be honest, I almost forgot about USC because, with San Jose State, Fresno State, and Louisiana to start the season, the Trojans haven't made much noise. The biggest story out of USC so far this season is the lack of fans in the stands. Even then, USC has let two of their three cupcake matchups hang around a little too long, and now, with Oregon up next, can Lincoln Riley make the Trojans relevant again?
4. Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0)
New head coach Matt Campbell could not have been gifted a better first season at Penn State, avoiding the Big Ten's Big Three and easing into things with a very soft non-conference slate. The Nittany Lions are looking like the Iowa State Cyclones, just a little further east, but hey, it worked for Campbell in Ames, and it's working so far in State College.
Will things get tough once Big Ten play hits? Time will tell, but so far, Campbell is passing the eye test at Penn State.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-1)
Oh, how sweet it was to watch Ohio State not only lose, but to play a 23-3 point lead in the fourth quarter when most people figured the game was well over - it's even better. This Buckeyes team is starting to show cracks. The offense can't solely rest on the shoulders of Jeremiah Smith, and it is looking more and more obvious how much of the defense was run by Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles Jr., and Caleb Downs.
Now, Ohio State won't be facing a Texas-caliber team every week, but blowing that big of a lead late is not a good sign of what could be coming for the Buckeyes in Big Ten play.
2. Michigan Wolverines (2-0)
Michigan didn't look good in Week 1, but the Week 2 performance the Wolverines had against No. 11 Oklahoma almost erases that. Bryce Underwood was able to lead Michigan to a win against one of the best defensive-minded coaches, Brent Venables, and made life a living hell for Sooners QB John Mateer.
This defense is the real deal for Michigan, and once the offense starts to find more of a rhythm, and yes, I believe they will, the Wolverines could be the team to watch to take down the Hoosiers.
1. Indiana Hoosiers (2-0)
Even though the Hoosiers have been a good team for two years now, it still feels weird having them so high in Big Ten football power rankings, but here we are. Even with a major cupcake non-conference schedule, Indiana is dominating their opponents by halftime, showing they aren't messing around this season. Curt Cignetti has his team looking really good so far, but Big Ten play is looming.
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