Ben Bolch’s Big Ten Power Rankings
Game of the week: Ohio State (5-1 overall, 3-0 Big Ten) at Indiana (6-0, 3-0), 9 a.m. PDT Saturday on FOX. The Hoosiers have persevered in every close call this season, though they haven’t faced anyone close to the caliber of the Buckeyes. Ohio State’s only loss came against top-ranked Texas, meaning it’s the class of the Big Ten until proven otherwise.
1. Ohio State (5-1) Brutus Buckeye eyeing Bruins as new Big Ten challenger. (Last week: 1)
2. Indiana (6-0) Something seems a bit off about these Hoosiers – especially at QB. (2)
3. UCLA (5-0) It was tempting to elevate surging Bruins over the Hoosiers. (5)
4. Iowa (5-1) Schedule sets up favorably for Hawkeyes to run the table. (4)
5. Oregon (3-2) Dan Lanning bested by the Big Ten’s new hot coach. (3)
6. USC (6-1) Credit where credit is due: Trojans keep beating disappointing teams. (6)
7. Wisconsin (4-1) Badgers fans hope to party like it’s Jan. 1, 1999, this week in Rose Bowl. (8)
8. Northwestern (4-1) Once again a Wildcat, OC Chip Kelly might have found new happy place. (9)
9. Nebraska (5-1) This was Matt Rhule’s defining moment – another loss to a ranked team. (10)
10. Minnesota (4-2) Biggest Gopher setback since dynamite in “Caddyshack.” (7)
11. Purdue (3-3) Wait, the Boilermakers might actually be … good? (14)
12. Michigan (3-2) Wolverines asking for an additional second to be added to bye week. (11)
13. Washington (3-3) Jedd Fisch suddenly sleepless in Seattle amid .500 record. (12)
14. Penn State (3-3) Whiteout was actually a stained showing in need of OxiClean. (13)
15. Illinois (3-3) Bret Bielema might have been left in East Lansing had the Illini lost. (15)
16. Michigan State (2-4) Pat Fitzgerald unlikely to get Northwestern revenge on Saturday.(16)
17. Rutgers (1-4) Fans left to root for more bye weeks. (17)
18. Maryland (2-4) Opposing teams should honor Mike Locksley during farewell tour. (18)
