13. Wisconsin Badgers (2-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 13
Last week's game: W, 42-10 vs Middle Tennessee
The power rankings begin to settle back to where they previously were at this point, as Wisconsin took care of business versus Middle Tennessee. The typical Badger ground-and-pound style came to life, as the team rushed for 173 yards (six yards per carry) using nine different players. Wisconsin's tough stretch of schedule begins next week against Alabama.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 14
Last week's game: W, 45-17 vs Miami (OH)
Like Wisconsin, Rutgers remains at last week's position after a solid win against Miami (OH). The Scarlet Knights scored in every quarter and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis had an efficient game with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
15. Maryland Terrapins (2-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 16 (+1)
Last week's game: W, 20-9 vs Northern Illinois
Maryland didn't exactly have a thrilling victory in Week 2, but still move up a spot because of UCLA's loss. The defense has impressed so far, only allowing 16 points in two games, but the offense needs to take a massive leap behind freshman quarterback Malik Washington if the Terrapins want to make any noise in conference play.
16. Purdue Boilermakers (2-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 17 (+1)
Last week's game: W, 34-17 vs Southern Illinois
Purdue makes yet another jump in the power rankings after coming in last at the beginning of the season. The Boilermakers didn't look particularly amazing against an FCS opponent, but they've already surpassed last season's win total – a crucial first step for new coach Barry Odom in turning the program around. Purdue's momentum likely ends here with three brutal matchups against USC, Notre Dame, and Illinois upcoming, but I wanted to give them the edge this week to further rub in how bad UCLA has looked.
17. UCLA Bruins (0-2)
Last week's ranking: No. 15 (-2)
Last week's game: L, 30-23 vs UNLV
The only winless team remaining in the conference, UCLA is already headed towards a dreadful campaign after making a splash by landing Nico Iamaleava in the transfer portal. Iamaleava has looked awful in a Bruins uniform, throwing an interception and averaging only 6.2 yards per attempt against UNLV. To be fair, the Bruins have arguably had the toughest schedule in the Big Ten to begin the season, so it should be only up from here, right?
18. Northwestern Wildcats (1-1)
Last week's ranking: No. 18
Last week's game: W, 42-7 vs Western Illinois
Northwestern picked up its first win of the season in dominant fashion against a bad Western Illinois team, but still haven't done much to prove that it's not the worst team in the conference to this point. That's not likely to change in the first Big Ten game of the season against Oregon, but the Wildcats do have a matchup against UCLA after that in what right now, shapes up to be a battle for the No. 17 spot.