Buckeyes drop down to No. 4

1. Penn State (3-0): Sean Clifford says he's the most confident quarterback in the country. After completing 28 of 32 passes against Auburn, hard to argue with him.

2. Iowa (3-0): The Hawkeyes defense has eight takeaways to one for their opponent this week, Colorado State. The main takeaway from that? Iowa improves to 4-0.

3. Michigan (3-0): Fans thinking this is the year UM defeats Ohio State might want to wait to make sure it's not the year Rutgers pulls the rug out from under them.

4. Ohio State (2-1): Nothing like a game against Akron under the lights to illuminate the pressurized expectation that Buckeye Nation won't be happy with anything less than a 45-point win.

5. Michigan State (3-0): Sparty is fresh off a nice win against Miami, which makes this a “Which Team is For Real?” game against Nebraska, which put a scare into Oklahoma last week.

6. Wisconsin (1-1): The Badgers head to the Windy City looking to re-inflate their season by deflating Notre Dame. Someone's playoff hopes are about to go pfffft.

7. Minnesota (2-1): The Gophers celebrated their first shutout (30-0 against Colorado) since 2006. They haven't had two straight since 1962. Could happen against Bowling Green.

8. Maryland (3-0): Just when you thought the Terps' offense could not be stopped, it clunks along for only 20 in a three-point win against Illinois. Ugh.

9. Rutgers (3-0): The Scarlet Knights want to party like it's 2014 — the last time they defeated Michigan. Don't see it happening at the Big House.

10. Purdue (2-1): The marching band's big bass drum was kept outside Notre Dame Stadium last week. It returns, with the Boilermakers using the Illini pass defense as drumsticks.

11. Nebraska (2-2): Winning at East Lansing would not normally be a major victory, but the Huskers have lost their past 11 road games against ranked Big Ten opponents.

12. Indiana (1-2): What's that smell? A Western Kentucky upset? Depends how long the Hoosiers lick their wounds following a tough loss to Cincinnati.

13. Northwestern (1-2): Gutsy: rallying from 27-0 to give Duke a scare. Reality: still losing 30-23 to the Blue Devils. But Wildcats get the Dub against winless Ohio.

14. Illinois (1-3): Illini played Maryland close last week. So you're telling me there's a chance? Maybe 1 in 10. With luck 1 in 5.

DAN RAINVILLE VIA IMAGN CONTENT SERVICES, LLC Penn State fans cheer for the Nittany Lions several hours before a game against Auburn at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 18.