POWER RANKINGS
1. Ohio State (4-0): Buckeyes coaches have been busy teaching their players how to twiddle thumbs in the midst of a pandemic.
2. Indiana (5-1): Tom Allen’s locker room speeches are something to behold, as is the Hoosiers’ potent passing game. Does Michael Penix's injury affect the latter?
3. Iowa (4-2): The Hawkeyes’ resurgence is like the pleasant aroma of a festive holiday candle that has everyone asking, “Where is that coming from?”
4. Northwestern (5-1): The Wildcats had everything in front of them, including a straight shot to the title game, until Michigan State lined up in front of them.
5. Wisconsin (2-1): Maybe a winter/spring season would have worked out better for the Badgers, who now have missed three games due to COVID-19?
6. Maryland (2-2): Name-calling the Terrapins the Terriblepins for being a Big Ten joke has gone out of vogue. The wisecracks now are aimed at Michigan.
7. Rutgers (2-4): Coach Greg Schiano has done a phenomenal job turning the Scarlet Knights from punchline into having a puncher’s chance.
8. Michigan State (2-3): Beat rival Michigan and take down undefeated Northwestern, but lose badly to Iowa and Rutgers. That’s Sparty in a nutshell.
9. Minnesota (2-3): The Gophers continue to deal with virus issues, including wide receiver Rashod Bateman opting out of a season that has opted out of normalcy.
10. Illinois: (2-3): Look at the bright side of escaping Ohio State because of a virus outbreak: At least the Illini can say they did not lose to the Buckeyes.
11. Purdue (2-3): The Boilermakers blew a 10-point third-quarter lead in losing to Rutgers, which means the black and gold will have their hands full with Nebraska.
12. Nebraska (1-4): Turn the “N” on the Cornhuskers helmet sideways and it becomes a “Z,” as in Zzzz, this team has fallen asleep on the job.
13. Penn State (1-4): Beating Michigan used to be a big deal. Now all it means is no longer being forced to live in the basement.
14. Michigan (2-4): The maize and blue “M” flag has been replaced by a white one. The Wolverines are in full surrender mode after losing to Penn State.