POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the Big Ten

1. Ohio State:

The Buckeyes were a little disappointed with a 35-point win at Rutgers last week. Expect them to take out their frustrations on Penn State.

2. Michigan:

Maybe the Wolverines aren’t the national-title contender many expected, but UM is ripening at the right time for a Nov. 30 showdown with Ohio State.

3. Minnesota:

The Golden Gophers still control their destiny in the West, but their fate is not as lock-tight solid as it was before losing to Iowa.

4. Penn State:

Coach James Franklin gets knocked for failing to win the biggest games. He gets another chance to erase the ugly tag in Columbus. It’s a tough ask, indeed.

5. Wisconsin:

The Dub got the Minnesota loss it needed to stay alive in the West. Now the ground-based Badgers need to put nasty fall weather to work for them.

6. Iowa:

A regular routine: First, count Kirk Ferentz’s Hawkeyes out for the count. Second, watch Iowa get off the canvas to score a knockout. Minnesota knows all about it.

7. Indiana:

If there is such a thing as a highquality loss, the Hoosiers got one at Penn State last week. Now they seek a bigger quality win against Michigan.

8. Illinois:

Not since 2011 have the Illini won seven games in a season. It’s off to Iowa City to try to make it happen. Best guess? It won’t happen until next week against Northwestern.

9. Purdue:

The Boilermakers need to shock Wisconsin and then stun Indiana — yes, beating IU would be an upset — to become bowl-eligible.

10. Michigan State:

If the Big Ten installed a drain in the middle of Lake Michigan, the Spartans would get sucked into the whirlpool. It’s been that kind of season.

11. Nebraska:

Scott Frost just received a two-year contract extension. Apparently the secret to security in Lincoln is to bleed Big Red blood.

12. Maryland:

The Terrapins host Nebraska this week for the not-so- prestigious “What in the World Went Wrong?” Trophy. Loser wins the prize.

13. Northwestern:

No Big Ten team is happier than having Rutgers in the conference than the Wildcats.

14. Rutgers:

The three biggest victories of the season for the Scarlet Knights: wins against Massachusetts and Liberty and scoring 21 points against Ohio State.