Big Ten power rankings shift following initial week of 2026 conference play
11 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 7:00 PM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
The Big Ten conference entered the 2026 season with high expectations after a weekend of action that featured several close finishes. The Oregon Ducks dropped in the power rankings despite a home win against Boise State. Michigan secured a narrow 13-12 victory over Western Michigan, though the team received criticism for trailing late in the contest. Elsewhere, Rutgers fell to UMass with a 37-21 result, while Maryland opened with a 62-0 win over Hampton. Purdue and Michigan State both opened their schedules with victories, though both programs faced defensive concerns in their respective games. The rankings reflect these early performances as teams prepare for upcoming non-conference matchups.
- •The Michigan Wolverines moved down the rankings despite a 13-12 win over Western Michigan.
- •Rutgers currently holds an 0-1 record after a 37-21 loss to UMass.
- •Maryland recorded a 62-0 win against Hampton behind 116 rushing yards from DeJaun Williams.
- •Purdue secured a 44-19 win over Indiana State while Michigan State defeated Toledo 30-20.
- •Wisconsin remains at 0-0 ahead of a scheduled Sunday game against Notre Dame.
- 7:00 PMYahoo Sports — Big Ten Football Power Poll: Week One
- 6:37 PMYahoo Sports — Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 1
- 1:01 AMYahoo Sports — Big Ten Rankings and Projections After Week 1
- 8:02 AMYahoo Sports — How far Michigan fell, and a new No. 18 in Big Ten football power rankings after Week 1
- 12:02 PMYahoo Sports — Big Ten football power rankings after Week 1
- 3:31 AMYahoo Sports — Big Ten football power rankings after Week 1: Who rises, who falls?
- 4:30 PMYahoo Sports — Big 12 football power rankings after one big Week 1 upset
- 3:07 PMYahoo Sports — Surprising win shapes Big 12 power rankings after Week 1
"Our latest Big Ten football power rankings after Week 1, including where the Oregon Ducks stand and how the conference shifted after Saturday’s games.
"Colorado rises after beating Georgia Tech, while Oklahoma State tumbles following an upset loss. Here are our Big 12 power rankings after Week 1.
"An upset and a controversial win impact the Big Ten college football rankings after Week 1. The top still looks strong as other shift places.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 7:00 PMBig Ten Football Power Poll: Week One
Week one was an interesting one with a replay gift for one contender, and a bad bad loss for Rutgers
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 6:37 PMBig Ten Power Rankings: Week 1
Michigan and Rutgers fall in our weekly edition of Big Ten Power Rankings, but who rises?
- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 1:01 AMBig Ten Rankings and Projections After Week 1
With one game in the books, where do the teams in the Big Ten rank?
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 8:02 AMHow far Michigan fell, and a new No. 18 in Big Ten football power rankings after Week 1
An upset and a controversial win impact the Big Ten college football rankings after Week 1. The top still looks strong as other shift places.
- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 12:02 PMBig Ten football power rankings after Week 1
The first look at the Big Ten power rankings sees Michigan needing to work its way up, and Penn State sitting comfortably in the top five.
- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 3:31 AMBig Ten football power rankings after Week 1: Who rises, who falls?
The Big Ten season is underway with major upsets and surprises. See how the power rankings shifted after Week 1.
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 4:30 PMBig 12 football power rankings after one big Week 1 upset
Colorado rises after beating Georgia Tech, while Oklahoma State tumbles following an upset loss. Here are our Big 12 power rankings after Week 1.
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 3:07 PMSurprising win shapes Big 12 power rankings after Week 1
The top six teams in the Big 12 did as expected this week, but there was shuffling elsewhere as two teams turned in miserable performances.
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 12:02 PMBig Ten power rankings after Week 1: Oregon moves down after win
Our latest Big Ten football power rankings after Week 1, including where the Oregon Ducks stand and how the conference shifted after Saturday’s games.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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