Big Ten Power Rankings

1) Michigan (7-1):
Michigan beat up Michigan State on and off the field.

2) Iowa (6-1): 
This is the week the Hawkeyes earn this spot

3) Wisconsin (5-2):

The weather at the game went from great to bad to good again — kind of like this Wisconsin team.

4) Ohio State (7-1):
I wonder what’s more depressing for the Buckeyes: the loss or Nick Bosa’s empty locker.

5) Penn State (5-2):
The Nittany Lions are going to have to prove themselves in the coming weeks; they have three-straight games against top-25 teams.

6) Purdue (4-3):
The Boilermakers really Bloughed through Ohio State.

7) Michigan State (4-3):
Hard to tell who was more beat up after Oct. 20, the Spartans or their logo.

8) Maryland (4-3):
Bring an offense next time.

9) Indiana (4-4):
Indiana isn’t a bad team, it just plays in the East.

10) Northwestern (4-3):
Apparently, the Wildcats are on a three-game winning streak. They’ve really earned their “Cardiac Cats” nickname.

11) Minnesota (3-4):
Somehow, the Gophers were ranked fourth in our initial power rankings.

12) Illinois (3-4):
The L. Smith experiment still isn’t working out lovingly.

13) Nebraska (1-6):
Congratulations, Husker fans, you’re out of the cellar.

14) Rutgers (1-7):
The Scarlet Knights were so close, but back to the basement they go.

Big Ten Schedule

Indiana (-3) vs. Minnesota

7 p.m. | FS1

Finally, Indiana has a beatable opponent. Sorry, Gophers, losing shall continue. The showdown Big Ten fans have been looking for

Iowa vs. Penn State (-7)

2:30 p.m. | ESPN

I never thought I’d be saying this, but I actually think Iowa has a realistic chance at this one. Gotta contain quarterback Trace McSorley, though.

Wisconsin (-6.5) vs. Northwestern

11 a.m. | FS1

Logic says Wisconsin wins in a blowout, but the Wildcats have continued to defy logic this season. Who knows which Northwestern team will show up. The same can be said for Wisconsin, too.

Purdue vs. Michigan State (-1.5)

11 a.m. | ESPN

Don’t count Purdue out so early; the Boilermakers might just be the second-hottest team in the Big Ten. Spartans should be on upset alert on Saturday, because Purdue wants to win its fifth in a row.

Bethune-Cookman vs. Nebraska (no line)

11 a.m. | BTN

Nebraska is primed for its first and only winning streak of the season with this one. Nebraska fans, rejoice. Scott Frost should get win No. 2 as a Husker.

Illinois vs. Maryland (-18)

2:30 p.m. | BTN

The Terrapins won’t get shut out this week. Anything is better than zero for Maryland.