Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State avoided upset pileup that scattered Scott Frost debris

Rob Oller, The Columbus Dispatch
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Ohio State escaped a weekend of upsets as if it was a stock car dodging a smoky 10-car pileup on the final turn. It wasn’t always pretty. Often it was ugly, but the Buckeyes did just enough against Sun Belt upstart Arkansas State to hold onto their No. 1 ranking. Yes, No. 2 Michigan throttled Hawaii 56-10, but the Rainbow Warriors had been outscored 112-27 in their first two games. Elsewhere, how the once-upon-a-time mighty have fallen. Nebraska may have reached the bottom after losing to Georgia Southern, although the Cornhuskers have Oklahoma this week, so maybe the bottom is still down there somewhere. The good news for Iowa? The Hawkeyes are above Nebraska, but that’s not saying much. Wisconsin dropped, Rutgers rose and Illinois left the basement.

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1. Ohio State (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 1

This week: Toledo

What to know: The Buckeyes keep things in-state against one of the better Mid-American teams; OSU has not lost to an Ohio opponent since 1921 (Oberlin).

2. Michigan (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 2

This week: UConn

What to know: Jim Harbaugh said he will go with quarterback J.J. McCarthy to start the rest of the way, or until wise King Solomon suggests something else to him.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against Ohio at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against Ohio at Beaver Stadium.

3. Penn State (2-0, 1-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 4

This week: at Auburn

What to know: The Nittany Lions have not played a regular-season game in the Deep South since beating Alabama in 1990. They hope to take it to the Crimson Tide’s in-state rival as well.

Akron quarterback DJ Irons throws a pass against Michigan State during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Akron quarterback DJ Irons throws a pass against Michigan State during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

4. Michigan State (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 5

This week: at Washington

What to know: The last time the Green and White played in the Pacific Northwest (2014), it surrendered 46 points to Oregon. Sparty’s stout defense won’t let the Huskies score nearly that many.

FILE - Minnesota wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell is tackled by Purdue safety Brennan Thieneman, left, and linebacker Jaylan Alexander during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Minneapolis, Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. Quarterback Tanner Morgan, running back Mo Ibrahim, wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell and center John Michael Schmitz will be major drivers of whatever success the Gophers enjoy in 2022. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)

5. Minnesota (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 6

This week: Colorado

What to know: The Golden Gophers put up 679 yards of offense last week against Western Illinois. The Buffs are in trouble.

Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Keontez Lewis (3) pulls down a reception down to the 5-yard line against Washington State Cougars defensive back Cam Lampkin (29) and Washington State Cougars defensive back Sam Lockett III (0) in the last minute of the second quarter during their football game Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

6. Wisconsin (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 3

This week: New Mexico State

What to know: Now that another early-season hiccup is out of the way, the Badgers should breathe easy – until playing Ohio State next week.

Maryland running back Antwain Littleton II runs for a touchdown against Charlotte during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Maryland running back Antwain Littleton II runs for a touchdown against Charlotte during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

7. Maryland (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 8

This week: SMU

What to know: Do we believe Maryland is for real? We do not. But the Mustangs don’t have enough horsepower to expose the Terrapins as frauds.

8. Rutgers (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 9

This week: at Temple

What to know: Don’t look now, but coach Greg Schiano has the Scarlet Knights believing in something other than their 9-39 record from 2016-2019.

Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) passes the ball during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2021 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) passes the ball during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2021 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

9. Purdue (1-1, 0-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 10

This week: at Syracuse

What to know: The good news? Better to travel to upstate New York in late summer than early winter. The bad? The Orange rain on the Boilers’ first road game parade.

Indiana running back Josh Henderson (26) is tackled by Idaho linebacker Fa'Avae Fa'Avae during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Indiana running back Josh Henderson (26) is tackled by Idaho linebacker Fa'Avae Fa'Avae during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

10. Indiana (2-0, 1-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 13

This week: Western Kentucky

What to know: The Hoosiers are undefeated, which is like saying Prince Charles is now King Charles III. Just doesn’t sound right.

11. Illinois (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 14

This week: idle.

What to know: The Illini get a week off to read their own headlines, which for once do not appear on the obituary page.

Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) celebrates his touchdown against Duke during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept.10, 2022, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) celebrates his touchdown against Duke during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept.10, 2022, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/David Banks)

12. Northwestern (1-1, 1-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 7

This week: Southern Illinois

What to know: It must hurt coach Pat Fitzgerald knowing his defense is inherently defenseless – Duke averaged more than eight yards per play last week – but the “D” earns a C+ against the Salukis.

Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras fires a pass during the Cy-Hawk Series football game against Iowa State on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras fires a pass during the Cy-Hawk Series football game against Iowa State on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

13. Iowa (1-1, 0-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 12

This week: Nevada

What to know: If you can count to 10, that is three more points than the Hawkeyes are able to score.

Nebraska coach Scott Frost walks off the field after the team's loss to Georgia Southern during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (Noah Riffe/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)
Nebraska coach Scott Frost walks off the field after the team's loss to Georgia Southern during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (Noah Riffe/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)

14. Nebraska (1-2, 0-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 11

This week: Oklahoma

What to know: Cue the sad trombone. The Cornhuskers' challenge no longer is “Who do we hire?” but “Who can we attract?” What successful coach wants to take a flier on this mess?

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football survives to remain No. 1; Scott Frost fired