We didn't learn a ton this week, outside of some evidence that Michigan might be for real. At this point the Big Ten is basically two groups - the Top 5 unbeatens and then everyone else. And how to rank teams within those two groups is certainly up for debate. Here is my take for this week.
- Penn State – The Nittany Lions didn’t look spectacular, but the handled Indiana easily on their way to 5-0. I'm not sure anybody predicted that this weekend at Iowa would be between two teams ranked in the Top 5, but here we are.
- Iowa – Iowa jumped on Maryland early and didn’t look back, crushing the Terps in a potential trap game. They host PSU this weekend and a victory might all but wrap up the Big Ten West for them. At the very lease it could decide the top of next week’s power rankings.
- Michigan – Michigan got its first victory under Jim Harbaugh as an underdog and did it impressive fashion. Wisconsin isn’t what they usually are, but it was an important win. Michigan will be tested again this weekend against a resurgent Nebraska in a night game in Lincoln.
- Ohio State – The Buckeyes looked as impressive as they have all year in a 52-13 trouncing of Rutgers in Piscataway. They return home to host Maryland this week in what will likely be another blowout victory.
- Michigan State – MSU had no problem putting points on the board but struggled a bit on defense against Western Kentucky, giving up 560 yards and 31 points to the Hilltoppers. They’ll look to move to a surprising 6-0 when they travel to Rutgers this weekend.
- Minnesota – The Jekyl and Hyde Golden Gophers followed up their home loss to Bowling Green with a solid win on the road at Purdue to move back to 3-2. They get a bye this week before hosting Nebraska next week.
- Nebraska – The Cornhuskers jump way up the list after an impressive 52-7 home victory over Northwestern. Nebraska has looked solid the last three weeks despite only winning one game. They’ll get a chance to prove they deserve this ranking when they host Michigan this weekend.
- Maryland – The Terps looked awful at home vs Iowa and fell to 4-1. Life doesn’t get any easier as they travel to Ohio State this weekend. And they still have PSU, MSU, and Michigan left as well. But a bowl season is still a possibility.
- Purdue – A week after holding off Illinois at home, the Boilermakers couldn’t stave off Minnesota, losing 20-13 to drop their record to 3-2. They get a week off before a tough road game at Iowa next weekend.
- Rutgers – Like Maryland, the Scarlet Knights are probably better than their last outing – a blowout loss to Ohio State. They host unbeaten MSU this weekend in a game that could be closer than expected if the Scarlet Knights can regroup.
- Illinois – After 4 straight losses the Fighting Illini got back in the win column with a win over Charlotte. They host a reeling Wisconsin this weekend that might be ripe for an upset.
- Indiana – The Hoosiers haven’t found their magic from last year and fell to 2-3 after their loss to Penn State. They get a bye week to regroup before hosting MSU and OSU in back to back weeks.
- Wisconsin – Wisconsin fell to 1-3 after a home loss to Michigan where the Badgers were frankly dominated. They are probably better than the 13th best team in the conference, but for now their record says otherwise. With Illinois and Army the next two weeks, they’ll have a chance to get back on track.
- Northwestern – The Wildcats ended up back in the basement after their embarrassing loss to Nebraska. They can use the upcoming bye week before hosting Rutgers on the 16th, but this is going to be an ugly season.
