Big Ten football power rankings: 1 standout player for each after Week 1

Week 1 of the college football season for the Big Ten conference is officially in the books, and we learned a lot about some teams.

Some of it was good, and some of it has left fans frustrated and with more questions than answers. Regardless, it’s great to have college football back, and the dawn of a new season is exciting. But based on just one week of football, how much did the Big Ten power rankings change from my preseason rankings last week?

That’s what we’re going to dive into today. Which teams surprised me and rose in the rankings? And which teams left me feeling underwhelmed? And who was a standout player for every Big Ten team in Week 1? Let’s dive into the post-Week 1 Big Ten football power rankings.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)

Standout player: DB Davison Igbonosun- Ten tackles, one pass defended.

It was a dominant performance for the entire Buckeye defense, stifling Arch Manning and the Texas offense all afternoon. They’ll be the new number one team in the AP Poll this week, and are deserving of the number one spot on my list.

Next week: vs Grambling

2. Penn State (1-0)

Standout player: WR Kyron Hudson- Six receptions, 89 yards, one touchdown

The Nittany Lions dropped to number two at no fault of their own following a 46-11 drubbing of Nevada. The offense looked great, and the defense was sharp, but the Buckeyes’ win was just too impressive not to move them up to number one.

Next week: vs FIU

3. Oregon (1-0)

Standout player: QB Dante Moore- 18/23, 213 yards, three touchdowns

The Ducks did exactly what they were supposed to on Saturday, beating Montana State 59-13. It was an impressive debut for Moore, who will need to continue to play well if Oregon wants to achieve its goals this season.

Next week: vs Oklahoma State

Standout player: WR Hank Beatty- Five receptions, 108 yards, kick-off return for a touchdown

The Illini comfortably handled business against Western Illinois with a 52-3 victory. The stars played like stars, and Beatty looks like a very interesting piece for Bret Bielema to use this season.

Next week: @ Duke

5. Iowa (1-0)

Standout player: RB Xavier Williams- 11 carries, 112 yards, one touchdown

It was not the debut anyone was hoping for from Mark Gronowski, who struggled mightily throwing the ball in the Hawkeyes‘ 34-7 win over FCS Albany. Iowa rushed for over 300 yards, but won’t go anywhere this season if the passing game is bad again. We’ll know more after next week’s Cy-Hawk game.

Next week: @ Iowa State

6. Michigan (1-0)

Standout player: RB Justice Haynes- 16 carries, 159 yards, three touchdowns

The Wolverines looked strong in a 34-17 win over New Mexico. It was a great debut for five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who got a fantastic game from the Alabama transfer Haynes. A big test awaits next week for Michigan.

Next week: @ Oklahoma

7. USC (1-0)

Standout player: QB Jayden Maiava- 15/18, 295 yards, two touchdowns

There’s a lot of pressure on Lincoln Riley in 2025, and the Trojans came out running in 2025, beating Missouri State 73-13. Maiava was great, and I’ll be curious to see how the offense looks against stiffer competition.

Next week: vs Georgia Southern

8. Indiana (1-0)

Standout player: RB Roman Hemby- 23 carries, 111 yards

Things didn’t start well for the Hoosiers, falling behind 7-0 30 seconds into the game. They were able to rally for a mostly comfortable 27-14 win over Old Dominion, but I was left largely unimpressed by Curt Cignetti’s squad. I need to see more from them.

Next week: vs Kennesaw State

9. Washington (1-0)

Standout player: RB Jonah Coleman- 24 carries, 177 yards, two touchdowns

The Huskies‘ offense looked great in Saturday’s 38-21 win over Colorado State. Demond Williams looked like a star in the making, and Coleman shone on the ground. Great start for Washington.

Next week: vs UC Davis

10. Nebraska (1-0)

Standout player: WR Nyziah Hunter- Six receptions, 65 yards, one touchdown

I expected more from the Cornhuskers, despite a 20-17 win over Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium. Dylan Raiola looked very similar to how he did last year, which is not a good sign. Nebraska needs to play better in 2025 or else its fans will be disappointed. Again.

Next week: vs Akron

11. Michigan State (1-0)

Standout player: LB Jordan Hall- 8 tackles, one sack, 2.5 tackles for loss

The Spartans didn’t play up their standards in a 23-6 win over Western Michigan. They’ll need more from Aidan Chiles and that offense if they want to make a bowl game in 2025.

Next week: vs Boston College

12. Minnesota (1-0)

Standout player: RB Darius Taylor- 30 carries, 141 yards

The Gophers joined a horde of Big Ten teams who unimpressed against MAC opponents this week, holding on to beat Buffalo 23-13. PJ Fleck’s squad looked like a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team in the opener, and that’s exactly how I view them.

Next week: vs Northwestern State

13. Maryland (1-0)

Standout player: QB Malik Washington- 27/43, 258 yards, three touchdowns

The emergence of the true freshman quarterback Malik Washington during Maryland’s 39-7 win over FAU is a huge development for the Terrapins. If he can be the guy in 2025, that raises Maryland’s floor immensely.

Next week: vs Northern Illinois

14. Wisconsin (1-0)

Standout player: S Preston Zachman- Two interceptions

It seems like the Badgers avoided a major injury to transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr, but that offense looked anemic once again in a 17-0 win over Miami (OH). Luke Fickell’s offense must improve if he wants to keep his job after the 2025 season.

Next week: vs MTSU

15. Rutgers (1-0)

Standout player: QB Athan Kaliakmanis- 18/23, 252 yards, two touchdowns

The Scarlet Knights got off to a great start, but barely survived in a 34-31 win over Ohio. Kaliakmanis looked good, but Greg Schiano’s defense was downright terrible in the second half. Much improvement is needed for Rutgers.

Next week: vs Miami (OH)

16. UCLA (0-1)

Standout player: LB Isaiah Chisom- 17 tackles, one tackle for loss

Yikes. The Bruins looked abysmal in a late-night 43-10 loss to Utah. Nico Iamaleava was not good in his first UCLA start, and that defense was awful once again. It’s looking like it’ll be a long season for Bruin fans in 2025.

Next week: @ UNLV

17. Purdue (1-0)

Standout player: QB Ryan Browne- 18/26, 311 yards, two touchdowns

The Boilermakers matched their 2024 win total on Saturday after a 31-0 win over Ball State. Ryan Browne looked great, and Purude should exceed last year’s win total next week.

Next week: vs Southern Illinois

18. Northwestern (0-1)

Standout player: DB Robert Fitzgerald- 13 tackles

It was a disastrous Wildcat debut for Preston Stone in Northwestern’s 23-3 loss to Tulane. Stone threw four interceptions and fumbled twice as the Wildcats did nothing on offense. A truly terrible game for Northwestern.

Next week: vs Western Illinois

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Big Ten football power rankings: Standout players after Week 1

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