The article updates the Big Ten football power rankings, with Ohio State maintaining its top position for a second week. The Buckeyes face Texas in a game that could prove their dominance over quarterback Arch Manning. Notably, Michigan has fallen from 5th to 11th place after being deemed "not nearly as good" as once imagined. The article does not provide specific numbers or statistics but rather ranks the teams based on their performance so far in the season.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Ohio State Buckeyes are still ranked as the top team in the Big Ten football power rankings, despite not having played an opponent yet this season. They face off against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. PT on ABC, and are looking to prove that they can beat the Longhorns again after doubling them up last season. The Buckeyes' matchup with Texas features Arch Manning, a notable quarterback for the Longhorns. Other teams in the rankings include Oregon, which had a close call against Boise State but could have been worse according to former coach Chip Kelly; USC, which is looking forward to its showdown with Oregon on September 26; and UCLA, whose new era under head coach Bob Chesney will be put to the test at home.
Written for “Big Ten Football Rankings” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 6033 · logged 2026-09-07
After doubling up the Longhorns in a convincing victory last season, the Buckeyes seek to prove once again that Texas quarterback Arch Manning ain’t all that.
asserted
Manning → double → victory
Now that he’s in State Farm ads, can Curt Cignetti replace Jake?
asserted
Cignetti → ’ → Jake
(3)
3. Oregon (1-0) Boise State close call could have been much worse — just ask Chip Kelly.
uncertain
call → ask → Kelly
(2)
4. USC (2-0) Might as well fast forward to Oregon showdown on Sept. 26.
uncertain
USC → fast → Sept.
(4)
5. UCLA (1-0) Bob Chesney era will really be rocking if tarps come off at Rose Bowl.
asserted
tarps → rock → Bowl
(6)
6. Penn State (1-0) Matt Campbell unveils superb Marshall Plan in opening shutout.
asserted
Campbell → unveil → shutout
Illinois (1-0) Illini score double digits in every quarter in blowout of UAB.
asserted
Illini → score → UAB
Minnesota (1-0) Rowing the boat is incredibly easy against Eastern Illinois.
asserted
Rowing → row → Illinois
Hawkeyes with a capable offense seems like a throwback.
asserted
Hawkeyes → seem → throwback
Michigan (1-0) Got a second?
asserted
Michigan → get → second
These guys aren’t nearly as good as once imagined.
asserted
guys → imagine → ?
Spartans may have good QB in Alessio Milivojevic.
uncertain
Spartans → have → Milivojevic
A blah win over Ohio seems on brand for this blah team.
asserted
win → seem → team
Maryland (1-0) Mike Locksley may not be headed for Hamptons if Hampton rout is a sign.
uncertain
rout → head → Hamptons
(17)
16. Northwestern (1-0) Needing to pull away late against an FCS team isn’t great.
asserted
Needing → need → team
Rutgers (0-1) Will Greg Schiano make it to October after UMass embarrassment?
asserted
Schiano → make → embarrassment
