Should the Big Ten be divided between Ohio State and the rest of the conference? Are there any legitimate contenders besides the Buckeyes? What are your thoughts on the state of the Big Ten?
And now that we're in the middle of conference play, have your thoughts changed about how the conference could compete on a national level?
On to the power rankings.
1. (1) Ohio State (2-0, 4-1) - If top teams continue to fall, how much will the USC loss really hurt the Buckeyes? If Ohio State can escape an upset through the middle of the season, it finishes the year at Penn State, and home games against Iowa and Michigan. Going 3-0 against those teams will be fresh in voters' minds if the Buckeyes are competing against other one-loss schools.
2. (2) Iowa (1-0, 5-0) - The two opponents least likely to challenge the Hawkeyes have given them the toughest games. Against Arkansas State and Northern Iowa, the Hawkeye secondary has allowed the opposing quarterback significant yards. Against its other three opponents - all BCS schools - the defense limited each of the opposing QBs to under 200 yards passing and has forced five interceptions.
Follow the jump for the rest of the rankings.
3. (4) Penn State (1-1, 4-1) - Illinois' scoring defense is the worst in the Big Ten. Penn State took advantage. Stephfon Green, Evan Royster and Darryl Clark combined for 308 rushing yards. Most of the damage was done in the second half, however, as the Nittany Lions led just 7-3 at halftime. Next week, Penn State continues its cupcake schedule with Eastern Illinois.
4. (6) Wisconsin (2-0, 5-0) -Wisconsin's multi-purpose offense leads the Big Ten in points per game. Running back John Clay climbed to the conference lead in rushing yards per game with a 184-yard, 3 TD game against Minnesota. QB Scott Tolzien has been efficient all season with 9 TDs and only 3 interceptions. But the Badgers' offense will be tested this week - Ohio State's next on the schedule.
5. (3) Michigan (1-1, 4-1) - The Wolverines were unable to establish a run game against the Spartans and it showed: Michigan had the ball for just 20 minutes, 14 seconds. Michigan, second in the conference in rushing, had just 28 rushing yards against the Spartans. Michigan will need its run game back if it hopes to compete at Iowa next week.
6. (5) Minnesota (1-1, 3-2) - Minnesota is one quarter away from being undefeated. An eight-minute stretch against Cal and one defensive stop away from a 5-0 record will be sorely missed in a few weeks. Following a tune-up game against struggling Purdue, the Gophers face back-to-back road games against Ohio State and Iowa.
7. (10) Michigan State (1-1, 2-3) - The Spartans' three consecutive losses were by a total 13-point margin. So if not for winning, Michigan State is at least used to playing in a close game. Against Michigan, the Spartans executed a perfect overtime performance with an interception on the Wolverines first drive and a touchdown on their third play. Michigan State can get back over .500 with games against Illinois and Northwestern in the next two weeks.
8. (7) Indiana (0-2, 3-2) - The score could've (should've?) been 39-7 had Aaron Pettrey's leg been operating correctly and IU not scored on a meaningless touchdown in the game's final play. Most predictions had IU at 3-2 or 2-3 at this point in the season. A bowl game opportunity could be decided in the IU's next three games - at Virginia and Northwestern and home against Illinois. Will six wins be enough to qualify for a bowl if several other Big Ten teams also notch six wins?
9. (8) Northwestern (1-1, 3-2) - I turned on the Northwestern vs. Purdue game when the Wildcats were trailing 21-3. So the final two quarters (plus the end of the second) made the Wildcats look decent. However, the 27-21 win could've even been better for Northwestern had they converted more TDs than FGs. The Wildcats had two opportunities late in the second quarter inside the Purdue 25-yard line, but only scored FGs.
11. (10) Purdue (0-2, 1-4) - Blowing a 21-3 lead would normally leave the Boilers in their 11th-place spot from last week. It's just Illinois is playing even worse. As I said with Northwestern, I turned this game on when Purdue led 21-3, so the Boilers looked atrocious - six turnovers, including several sloppy fumbles, ruined Purdue's chances. The schedule doesn't get any easier as Purdue travels to Minnesota this week before the Buckeyes visit West Lafayette the following week.
11. (9) Illinois (0-2, 1-3) - It's a problem for Illinois when the offense AND defense are playing poorly. The Illini are scoring 17.8 points per game (last in the Big Ten) and allowing 29.8 points per game (again, last in the Big Ten). How much does that have to do with Illinois' schedule? Its three losses are against teams with a combined 12-2 record. The roughest part of the conference schedule is now in the past.
