Around the Big Ten: Matchups, Power Rankings for Week 5

Iowa falls to No. 2 in the DI’s power rankings this week.

Casey Stone

Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras throws the ball during a football game between Iowa and Colorado State at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. The Hawkeyes defeated the Rams 24-14.

Chris Werner, Sports Reporter
September 30, 2021

Daily Iowan sports reporter Chris Werner ranked all 14 Big Ten football teams and previewed every conference Week 5 matchup in this week’s edition of Around the Big Ten.

The Hawkeyes dropped to No. 2 in the DI’s power rankings, while Nebraska is still at the bottom.

Here are the full rankings and all the game previews.

Week 5 Power Rankings

  1. Penn State — Is it Oct. 9 yet?
  2. Iowa — Is it Oct. 9 yet?
  3. Ohio State — Zipped by Akron on Saturday
  4. Michigan — Are Khakis in again?
  5. Michigan State — For Sparta?
  6. Maryland — The Terps have handled their business thus far.
  7. Wisconsin — Almost picked the Badgers sixth, that would’ve been Ironic, right Graham Mertz?
  8. Purdue — Squeaked by Illinois but the rest of these teams are very bad.
  9. Rutgers — Wait, the Scarlet Knights are respectable.
  10. Indiana — Almost lost to Western Kentucky.
  11. Northwestern — Beat THE Ohio University.
  12. Minnesota — A loss to Bowling Green will do that to you.
  13. Illinois — Is 1-4 but beat Nebraska.
  14. Nebraska — Copy and paste.

Week 5 Big Ten matchups

Maryland vs. No 5. Iowa

Where/when to watch: Friday at 7 p.m. on FS1 | Line: IOWA -4.0 | O/U 46

Big trap game energy.

Minnesota vs. Purdue

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m. on BTN | Line: PUR -2.5 | O/U 47.5

The boat is sinking, P.J.

Charlotte vs. Illinois

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m. on BTN | Line ILL -9.5 | O/U 55.5

Illinois is favored, this should be good. And by good, I mean unwatchable.

No. 14 Michigan vs. Wisconsin

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m on FOX | Line: MICH -1.0 | O/U 43.5

If Michigan wins, the Wolverines are for real.

No. 11 Ohio State vs. Rutgers

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on BTN. | Line: OSU -15.5 | O/U 56.5

Upset potential, I think not.

Indiana vs. No. 4 Penn State

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 6:30 on ABC | Line: PSU -10.5 | O/U 52

Iowa fans should watch this closely.

Western Kentucky vs. No. 17. Michigan State

Where/when to watch Saturday at 6:30 on FS1 | Line: MSU -10.5 | O/U 61.5

Western Kentucky is a Conference USA powerhouse. Just kidding, those don’t exist.

Northwestern vs. Nebraska

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 6:30 on BTN | Line NEB -10.5 | O/U 50

Someone has to win.