Ben Bolch’s Big Ten Power Rankings
Game of the week: No. 2 Ohio State (6-1 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) at USC (6-2, 3-2), 4:30 p.m. PDT Saturday on NBC. In the game that could be dubbed Lincoln Riley’s Last Stand, the Trojans will need to upset the Buckeyes to sustain not only their flickering College Football Playoff hopes but also any belief in their beleaguered coach. Ohio State will be without injured quarterback Julian Sayin, but will it matter against one of college football’s most disappointing teams?
1. Ohio State (6-1) Ryan Day can effectively end the Lincoln Riley era at USC. (Last week: 1)
2. UCLA (7-0) Suggested soundtrack to Bruins’ season: “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” (3)
3. Indiana (7-1) The most unintimidating seven-win team in the country. (2)
4. Wisconsin (5-2) After Oregon, Badgers second notion that USC is L.A.’s No. 2 team. (7)
5. Northwestern (6-1) Turns out the David Braun-Chip Kelly pairing is a winner. (8)
6. Minnesota (5-2) Golden Gophers need to decide if they’re good or not. (10)
7. Iowa (5-2) Hawkeyes are always good for a letdown under Kirk Ferentz. (4)
8. Oregon (4-3) Ducks are in the midst of one of the most confusing seasons of all time. (5)
9. Nebraska (5-2) Should emulate UCLA’s toughness, not jumping around to “Shout.” (9)
10. USC (6-2) Surprise Tunnel Captain should be Clay Helton in nod to team’s mediocrity. (6)
11. Illinois (4-3) Illini should pay Drew Mehringer’s COBRA benefits as goodwill gesture. (15)
12. Michigan (4-3) Karmic payback for the opener the Wolverines were supposed to lose. (12)
13. Washington (4-3) Jedd Fisch’s future might depend on sticking with QB Elijah Brown. (13)
14. Purdue (3-4) Boilermakers decided they’re more comfortable on this side of .500. (11)
15. Penn State (3-4) Don’t call him poor Matt Campbell when he’s making $8 million this season. (14)
16. Michigan State (2-5) Taking an early lead over UCLA might be highlight of season. (16)
17. Rutgers (2-5) How long before Greg Schiano gets the Mike Locksley treatment? (17)
18. Maryland (2-5) A bye week is always a good time to wave bye to a failed coach. (18)
