POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the Big Ten

1 2 5 6 8 3 4 9 7

1. Michigan (8-1):

Wolverines and their filthy defense are the cream of what is quickly becoming a pretty pedestrian crop.

2. Ohio State (8-1):

Without a dual-threat quarterback, Buckeyes finally switched to dual-personality offense that can throw and run.

3. Northwestern (5-4):

No shame in playing Notre Dame tough before losing. The Wildcats control their destiny in the West.

4. Michigan State (6-3):

Another legitimacy test arrives this week with Ohio State coming to town. Will Sparty earn a passing grade?

5. Purdue (5-4):

The Boilermakers are the new Spartans — you’re never quite sure which team will show up. The good one is impressive.

6. Penn State (6-3):

The Nittany Lions are a soup lacking flavor. Not sure what’s wrong, but an important ingredient is missing.

7. Iowa (6-3):

The Hawkeyes have lost two in a row and host to Northwestern this week in a must-win at Kinnick.

8. Wisconsin (6-3):

So much promise, so little delivery. The Badgers are in chase mode, and good luck catching up.

9. Maryland (5-4):

Anything the Terrapins do — or fail to do — on the field pales in comparison to off-the-field dysfunction.

10. Indiana (4-5):

The little engine that could, or just as often couldn’t. Maybe the Hoosiers can against Minnesota.

11. Nebraska (2-7):

The Huskers, who gave Ohio State all it could handle, have a bright future — or at least less dim.

12. Illinois (4-5):

The Illini stuck it to Minnesota but with a difficult final three games they’re also likely stuck on four wins.

13. Minnesota (4-5):

That sound you hear are the Golden Gophers going down for the third time. Glug, glug, glug.

14. Rutgers (1-8):

What can we say about the Scarlet Knights? Nothing, which is better than what we could be saying.