POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the Big Ten

1. Ohio State:

The Buckeyes return from the first of two off weeks looking to fine-tune an already well-oiled machine. Zoom, zoom.

2. Wisconsin:

Four shutouts already? And with talent-challenged Illinois on deck, a fifth zero could go up on the board for the Badgers.

3. Penn State:

Michigan arrives in Happy Valley, which will reveal what the Nittany Lions are made of. The best guess here is sturdy stuff.

4. Minnesota:

Row, row, row the boat. But opponents are finding the Golden Gophers do not go so gently down the stream.

5. Michigan:

The Wolverines are a cardboard box left in the rain. Lift and it may hold. Or it may not. There’s no telling which.

6. Iowa:

Defense is not the issue for the Hawkeyes. But unless they can record shutouts, every remaining game remains too close to call.

7. Michigan State:

No one said it would be easy, but the season was not supposed to be this hard for the disheartened Spartans.

8. Indiana:

The Hoosiers travel to Maryland, which may be the biggest crapshoot team in the conference. Expect IU to steal one on the road.

9. Maryland:

Early on, a bowl trip seemed a given, but things have taken a decidedly negative turn for the Terps, who must rally to go bowling.

10. Nebraska:

Big Red’s troubles go deeper than anything Scott Frost can pull out of his magic hat. No easy fix here.

11. Illinois:

The Illini went from dead to alive back to six feet under against Michigan. Strange as it sounds, it was a step in the right direction.

12. Purdue:

Just when the Boilermakers are showing some life, they head to Iowa, which has RIP written all over it.

13. Northwestern:

That perplexed voice you hear is Pat Fitzgerald wondering what it will take to turn things around. Hint: a better offense would help.

14. Rutgers:

It is what it is at Rutgers. And what it is ... is not very pretty.