1) Penn State (2-0):
Last year at this time, I still had Penn State in the middle of the pack of the Big Ten. My oh my, how things change.
2) Michigan (2-0):
Michigan is just so, so good. There’s really nothing more to it.
3) Wisconsin (2-0):
I have to give some acknowledgment to my boys here. Big Wisco girl, in case you didn’t know.
4) Ohio State (1-1):
This is weird. I feel somewhat uncomfortable putting Ohio State this low, but let’s be honest: Penn State, Michigan, and Wisconsin deserve to be sitting above the Buckeyes right now.
5) Iowa (2-0):
The Iowa State game showed a lot of promise for and resilience in the Hawkeyes. I’m going to have them up here until we see how they perform against Penn State.
6) Maryland (2-0):
How did this happen? When did we get here?
7) Minnesota (2-0):
Not related to Minnesota, but I really wish something more exciting would happen in the Big Ten so I could mention that.
8) Michigan State (2-0):
The Spartans were 2-0 at this point last year, too. Just saying.
9) Nebraska (1-1):
I think someone needs to tell Nebraska the point of football is to score points, not give them up.
10) Northwestern (1-1):
Was Northwestern supposed to be good this season or something? I’m just not seeing it.
11) Illinois (2-0):
Illinois is 2-0. Only one win away from tying what it did last season.
12) Indiana (1-1):
Remember how exciting the game between Indiana and Ohio State was until the Buckeyes scored 36 points in the second half?
13) Purdue (1-1:
Maybe Purdue will beat Illinois this season. Same with Rutgers. Three wins isn’t horrible — it is Purdue, you know.
14) Rutgers (0-2):
The only game I see Rutgers winning this season is the upcoming one against Morgan State. I’m including the games the Scarlet Knights will play against Illinois, Purdue, and Indiana.
Offensive impact:
Name: Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Position: Running Back
Year: Freshman
Who knows if Taylor’s performance will be sustainable throughout the season, but the true freshman’s performance last week was enough to get him Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week. The tailback put up 233 yards and 3 touchdowns on 26 carries. Color me impressed.
Defensive impact:
Name: Tyree Kinnel, Michigan
Position: Safety
Year: Junior
Like Taylor, Kinnel earned Big Ten honors this week, too – Defensive Player of the Week. Through two weeks, Kinnel has more tackles than he had all last season. Last week, he also intercepted a pass and brought it back for 6, the first of his career.
Game to watch:
No. 10 Wisconsin VS. BYU
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah