POWER RANKINGS

Breaking down the Big Ten

1. Ohio State (4-0):

The first night game of the season for the Buckeyes simply means the stars get to shine brighter in Lincoln, Nebraska.

2. Wisconsin (3-0):

Anyone sleeping on Wisconsin better wake up. The Badgers’ defense is legit and their run offense is its usual gnarly self. Best of the West.

3. Iowa (3-0):

A game against Middle Tennessee means one more week of not knowing whether the Hawkeyes are as good as their record. Check back when things get real.

4. Penn State (3-0):

The former Beast of the East must stay alert against Maryland or risk becoming something akin to Least of the East.

5. Michigan State (3-1):

The green and white took care of business at Northwestern. Now comes Indiana, which unlike the Wildcats actually has some offense.

6. Michigan (2-1):

Things have gone haywire when UM fans beg Urban Meyer to come be their coach. Frustration with Jim Harbaugh is at an all-time high.

7. Nebraska (3-1):

The Cornhuskers struggled against Illinois, which is like an ambulance driver stuck in rush-hour traffic. That should never happen, and now comes Ohio State. Gulp.

8. Minnesota (3-0):

The great mystery that is Minnesota takes on Purdue, which itself is a tough team to figure. Call this one the Question Mark game.

9. Maryland (2-1):

The unranked Terrapins can make a statement against No. 12 Penn State. Hunch: The statement will be, “We’re not quite there yet.”

10. Illinois (2-2):

A gutsy performance against Nebraska still qualifies as a closedoesn’t-count outcome. Moral victories don’t mean much in the Big Ten.

11. Indiana (3-1):

A stern test for the Hoosiers, who find out if their offense is up to snuff against a Michigan State defense ranked fifth nationally. 12. Northwestern (1-2). Defensive mantra: “They can’t win if they can’t score.” Wildcats’ mantra: “We want to win but we can’t score.’’ Maybe Twitter has answers?

13. Purdue (1-2):

The Boilermakers are dealing with quarterback issues, and with QB being the most important position makes for an alarming situation.

14. Rutgers (1-2):

What goes up must come all the way down. The Scarlet Knights are unlucky enough to visit an embarrassed Michigan.