Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State remains on top; bottom feeders brace for more insults
Rob OllerConference play shifts into second gear − full-throttle begins next week − which means Purdue and Northwestern get another chance to lose to a non-conference opponent, while Indiana faces a likely loss against Cincinnati. The bottom half of the Big Ten is so anemic we considered ranking only half the league, to protect the innocent. But the downtrodden need to own their embarrassment.
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Meanwhile, Ohio State continues to lead the pack, Michigan finally plays a decent opponent and Penn State looks like more of a threat in the East. Nebraska has the week off to decide how hard it wants to pursue Urban Meyer.
1. Ohio State (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 1
This week: Wisconsin
What to know: Let’s see how the Buckeyes’ improved defense does against an opponent whose offensive playbook has all the finesse of ancient cave drawings.
2. Michigan (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 2
This week: Maryland
What to know: Wake-up call? The Wolverines face a team with more wins (3) than the combined total (2) of their previous three opponents.
3. Penn State (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 3
This week: Central Michigan
What to know: Coach James Franklin was spotted on video dancing up a storm after winning at Auburn. Crushing the Chippewas earns only a few fist bumps.
4. Minnesota (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 5
This week: at Michigan State
What to know: Does Minnesota's potent run game hit a wall? The Golden Gophers’ previous two FBS opponents rank 121st (New Mexico State) and 131st and last (Colorado) in rush defense. Sparty ranks 26th.
5. Wisconsin (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 6
This week: at Ohio State
What to know: The Badgers face a perplexing problem: how to match the Buckeyes’ electric point-a-minute offense when your own offense runs … and runs… on batteries?
6. Michigan State (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 4
This week: Minnesota
What to know: MSU is tired of being labeled a fraud, but the Spartans only escape the insults if they take care of business against the perpetually phony Gophers.
7. Maryland (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 7
This week: at Michigan
What to know: And this is where the Terps’ feel-good movie fades to black before reaching a satisfying ending.
8. Iowa (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 13
This week: at Rutgers
What to know: The good news in Iowa City? The Hawkeyes have allowed only 13 points a game, second best in the nation. The bad news? They’re averaging 13.7 points of offense.
9. Rutgers (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 8
This week: Iowa
What to know: The Scarlet Knights have won two of their three games by a total of three points, which is only 10 more than Iowa has allowed total. I smell trouble in Piscataway.
10. Purdue (1-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 9
This week: Florida Atlantic
What to know: Purdue’s loss at Syracuse was a clown show of penalties and coaching gaffes. Don’t expect a similar circus against FAU.
11. Indiana (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 10
This week: at Cincinnati
What to know: The Hoosiers' season so far in a single play: a 51-yard field goal in overtime was needed to slip past Western Kentucky.
12. Illinois (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 11
This week: Chattanooga (Thursday).
What to know: The Illini get to 3-1 for the first time since 2015. That’s called smart non-conference scheduling.
13. Northwestern (1-2, 1-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 12
This week: Miami (OH)
What to know: Apparently, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 is still raging in Evanston, and the Wildcats don’t have the manpower to extinguish it.
14. Nebraska (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
Last week: 14
This week: idle
What to know: Huskers fans chanted “We want Urban” before last week’s game against Oklahoma. After the 49-14 loss the chant became “We’ll settle for Bo Pelini.”