POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the Big Ten

1. Ohio State:

The Buckeyes have played two conference opponents and neither was in OSU’s league. Michigan State should make it three.

2. Wisconsin:

The Badgers failed to blow anyone away in a non-blowout win against Northwestern, but the Dub’s scoring defense is ranked No. 1 nationally.

3. Penn State:

After turning the Terrapins into turtle soup (59-0), the Nittany Lions are about to transform the Boilermakers into scrap metal.

4. Iowa:

Consider a trip to the Big House a big reveal: Are the Hawkeyes as good as their record? The result at Michigan will tell the tale.

5. Michigan State:

Can the Spartans’ toughas-armor defense put a damper on Ohio State’s offense? If by damper you mean less than 50 points? Yes.

6. Michigan:

Everyone thinks the sky is falling on Jim Harbaugh in Ann Arbor.

But if Michigan wins over Iowa, the low clouds lift for a week.

7. Minnesota:

P.J. Fleck has the Golden Gophers trusting in something beyond “It will be cold this winter in Minneapolis.” Beat Illinois? Better believe it.

8. Nebraska:

Ohio State showed the fans in Lincoln that their beloved Cornhuskers have miles to go before they’re back in business.

9. Indiana:

Redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Penix gives the Hoosiers real hope on offense. The defense, however, still resembles two flat tires.

10. Northwestern:

The Wildcats played hard in a loss to Wisconsin, as they usually do. But can they turn that toughness into a “W” at Nebraska?

11. Maryland:

Those first two weeks of good times are a faded memory right about now. What happened? Maybe it was all smoke and mirrors.

12. Illinois:

For the Illini to convince anyone they’re no longer what they have been — i.e. not good — they need to begin beating conference opponents.

13. Purdue:

A once-promising season is now stuck in the mud. It’s hard to get unstuck with starting Elijah Sindelar and Rondale Moore out with injuries.

14. Rutgers:

The Scarlet Knights are the elixir for teams in need of a magical fix. This week, it’s Maryland that gets healthy.