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Previous: 2. Last week: W 21-7 at Michigan State.
The No. 5 Wolverines take over in-state rival Michigan State and rival Ohio State rivalry get blown out. Jim Harbaugh's team has won seven straight after losing season-opener to Our Lady. UM has a bye week before Penn State hosting.
Previous: 1. Last week: L 49-20 at Purdue.
Another year, another mid-season blowout for the No. 11 Buckeyes, who fell all the way from No. 2 in the Associated Press poll. Could you run the ball against the Boilermakers? Dwayne Haskins threw the ball 73 times – and got carved for 539 yards. Somebody's going to the table for the Big Ten to have a Playoff team.
Previous: 4. Last week: W 23-0 vs. Maryland.
The No. 18 Hawkeyes keep putting impressive results on the board. Maryland was dangerous offensively but had just 115 yards against Iowa. Nate Stanley cam back to Earth, but Kirk Ferentz's team is showing it in different ways.
Previous: 3. Last week: W 49-20 vs. Illinois.
The No. 20 Badgers drop behind Iowa despite the head-to-head win. It's close, and UW still controls its position in the West, but the Hawkeyes just look like a better team right now. Back-to-back rough outings for Alex Hornibrook do not help matters. A limited UW defense did force five Illinois first-half turnovers, a encouraging sign.
Previous: 8. Last week: W 49-20 vs. Ohio State.
What a win for the Boilermakers, who could not be done climbing these rankings just yet. Jeff Brohm's team put on a performance on the board after more quietly compiling some of the best offensive numbers in the country the past month. A long way to go, but Purdue has won and Iowa and Wisconsin at home down the stretch. This team is a threat in the West. David Blough is slinging it, D.J. Knox is dangerous out of the backfield and Rondale Moore is that dude.
Previous: 6. Last week: W 33-28 at Indiana.
The No. 17 Nittany Lions had to fight tooth and nail to escape Bloomington with a win. Something's not really happening for the offense after some early explosions. A lot of potential, but also Iowa, at Michigan and Wisconsin.
7. NORTHWESTERN (4-3, 3-1)
Previous: 7. Last week: W 18-15 at Rutgers.
Pat Fitzgerald's team found a way. Barely. It's rarely pretty, but credit Northwestern for continuing to find ways to win league games. Next up: A home date against Wisconsin in a pivotal West matchup.
8. MICHIGAN STATE (4-3, 2-2)
Previous: 5. Last week: L 21-7 vs. Michigan.
The Spartans arent the first team Wolverines defense, but man. Brian Lewerke, considered the Big Ten's best quarterback coming into the fall, completed 5-of-25 for 66 yards and the Spartans rushed for just 15. They got outgained 395-94. Enough said.
Previous: 9. Last week: L 23-0 at Iowa.
The Terps' offense has been successful against the Hawkeyes. Maryland is right where it seems to fall: Dangerous, but a big step below the best in the East.
Previous: 10. Last week: L 33-28 vs. Penn State.
Tough sledding for Tom Allen 's Hoosiers, who' ve pulled out a big win against Penn State. Minnesota and Maryland next up.
Previous: 13. Last week: W 53-28 vs. Minnesota.
The Huskers move up a couple after their first win of the season. The offense broke through and the defense did enough. Now Bethune-Cookman before a trip to the Shoe. How much of a run can we make in the final five weeks?
Previous: 12. Last week: L 49-20 at Wisconsin.
The Illini turned the ball over the first 30 minutes but closed the gap by forcing turnovers against the Badgers. Next up: a road trip to Maryland.
Previous: 11. Last week: L 53-28 at Nebraska
The Gophers fell to 0-4 after surrendering 649 yards to the Huskers. In 13 Big Ten games under P.J. Fleck, Minnesota is 2-11. A chance to make some progress with Indiana at home and Illinois on the road. UM needs those ones to get some forward movement.
Previous: 14. Last week: L 18-15 vs. Northwestern
Rutgers led Northwestern for a while but could not hold on. That might have been the Scarlet Knights' best chance at a win, with Wisconsin, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State.
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