POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the Big Ten

1. Ohio State (2-0):

After munching cupcakes, the Buckeyes put on the bibs for a meatier meeting against TCU in the Lone Star State.

2. Wisconsin (2-0):

An early scare became a blowout against New Mexico, but the Badgers need to speed up their slow starts.

3. Penn State (2-0):

Some see James Franklin as part salesman. Fine. The Nittany Lions keep buying what their coach is selling.

4. Michigan (1-1):

The Jim Harbaugh haters have nothing to crow about as the Wolverines begin to fix what ails them.

5. Iowa (2-0):

This is about the time of year the Hawkeyes trip over a lesser opponent. Watch your step.

6. Maryland (2-0):

Are the Terps for real? Too soon to tell, but early signs point to an improved outlook.

7. Michigan State (1-1):

No shame in losing at Arizona State, where Big Ten teams are 0-10 all-time. Still, MSU’s 13-point effort is disappointing.

8. Minnesota (2-0):

The young Gophers don’t know what they don’t know, which is dangerous for unwary opponents.

9. Indiana (2-0):

All that stands in the way of IU going 3-0 for the first time since 2011 is a MAC team. Uh-oh.

10. Nebraska (0-1):

Scott Frost didn’t perform miracles at Central Florida until his second season; Husker Nation will need patience.

11. Northwestern (1-1):

The Wildcats won their final eight games last season. It will take a Herculean effort to match that run.

12. Purdue (0-2):

Two losses by a combined five points means the Boilermakers are close. But to what, a win or a cliff?

13. Illinois (2-0):

Don’t look now, but the Illini are undefeated. Or better look now, because they won’t be for long.

14. Rutgers (1-1):

The problem with taking one step forward and two steps back is that it means moving in reverse.