This is the initial RealPower Rankings for the New Big-10 which will take affect next year with the addition of Washington, USC, Oregon, and UCLA.

Obviously, this is subjective but I’ve done my best to remain impartial.  I’ve placed value on winning, although it was difficult to not penalize Ohio State and Washington for somewhat lucky wins.

The Buckeyes beat Notre Dame on a wild ending and UW beat Oregon on a missed field goal that would have sent the game into overtime.  Either way, they both have unblemished records.

Oregon and Penn State lost to  Washington and Ohio State putting them in the second tier.  Where things get muddled is after the Ducks where 9 teams have 3-2 conference, led by USC at 7-2 overall.

1. Michigan, 8-0,— in 6 conference games the Wolverine defense has given up just 31 points.  At this point, regardless of the reasoning behind the stifling defense, 5 points a game in conference is remarkable.

2.  Ohio State, 8-0,— the Buckeye D is nearly as stingy as the one up in Ann Arbor, giving up just 12 to number 4 Penn State.

3.  Washington, 8-0,— It was hard to not move Penn State over the Huskies given UW’s last two games.  However, they are unbeaten and they beat RealPower Rankings No. 5 Team, Oregon.

4.  Penn State, 7-1, — The Nittany Lions get the nod over the Ducks because of their shutout of Iowa.

In 5 conference games they have given up 14 points a game, including just 20 to OSU.

5.  Oregon, 7-1, — The way the Ducks played in Salt Lake City it’s hard to keep Oregon down at 5.  However, UO and PSU lost on the road to teams numbers 2 and 3, respectively.

Penn State and Oregon’s defense have been stifling.  The Ducks D gave up just 6 points to Utah, Stanford, and Colorado.   To teams from the State of Washington, Oregon gave up 25 points a game.

6.  USC, 7-2, — Keeps scraping by by outscoring their opponents.  Except Utah who they lost to in dramatic fashion.

8.  UCLA, 6-2, — Ahead of other teams because is its second-best Pac-12 Conference defense.

9.  Iowa, 6-2, — has given up just 79 conference points but it’s point-differential is fueled by a 31-0 loss to Penn State.

10.  Rutgers, 6-2, — The Scarlet Knights lost to Michigan (31-7) and Wisconsin (24-13).