Big Ten Power Rankings

1) Ohio State (7-1):
I’m putting all my money on the Dwayne Haskins experience.

2) Michigan (7-1): 
Let’s say Michigan wins the Big Ten. I’m not sure we’re ready for that version of Jim Harbaugh.

3) Penn State (6-2):

Playing “Mo Bamba” 50 times in a football game is how you move up in the rankings.

4) Iowa (6-2):
Despite being shut out offensively, Iowa is still the best team in the West.

5) Northwestern (5-3):
Can Northwestern pull off another top-25 upset this week against No. 3 Notre Dame?

6) Wisconsin (5-3):
The Badgers rank 109th in the country in passing yards per game.

7) Purdue (4-4):
Big Rondale Moore fan here.

8) Michigan State (5-3):
Rocky Lombardi went to Valley High School in Des Moines. I went to Waukee. Roll ’Kee, baby.

9) Maryland (5-3):
Maryland went 0-63 real quick last week (helps when you’re playing Illinois, though).

10) Minnesota (4-4):
P.J. Fleck finally got that elusive conference win this season. Proud of you, bud.

11) Indiana (4-5):
Four L’s in a row doesn’t get you much love in my book.

12) Illinois (3-5):
Anyone placing bets on how long Lovie Smith keeps his job?

13) Nebraska (2-6):
Two wins in a row for Big Red. I can hear the construction of a Scott Frost statue as we speak.

14) Rutgers (1-7):
One of these days, someone’s going to remove the “football” tab from the school’s athletics page.

Big Ten Schedule

Michigan State (-2.5) vs. Maryland

11 a.m. | ESPN2

Must-see television, if you don’t want to watch any of the other 11 a.m. games. Look for Michigan State to get the road win. The Spartans are 2-1 on the road this season (with their only road loss coming against Arizona State), and that trend will likely continue on Saturday.

Nebraska vs. No. 11 Ohio State (-17.5)

11 a.m. | FOX

Think Scott Frost will get his third win in a row? Keep thinking. Don’t be surprised if Dwayne Haskins throws for 300 yards and 4-5 touchdowns against a Husker secondary giving up 272 yards per game through the air.

Rutgers vs. No. 20 Wisconsin (-30.5)

11 a.m. | BTN

Let’s just say Wisconsin isn’t going to lose to a Rutgers team that’s won a single road game in the past 13 attempts. The quarterback position isn’t a strong suit for the Badgers, but it’s better than anything the Scarlet Knights have.

Minnesota (-9.5) vs. Illinois

11 a.m. | BTN

P.J. Fleck’s slowly sinking ship needs two more wins to become bowl-eligible. Can the Gophers conquer the mighty quest of reaching .500? A win over the Illini puts the Gophers at 5-4, but the rest of the schedule doesn’t look too promising. Neither do Lovie Smith’s chances of winning more than three games.

No. 18 Iowa vs. Purdue (-2.5)

11 a.m. | ESPN

If Iowa’s offense packs its passing game when it travels this week, there’s a chance for a shootout. Iowa’s defense has been great all season long, but Purdue’s offense is one of the most dynamic in the conference.

No. 17 Penn State vs. No. 5 Michigan (-10.5)

2:45 p.m. | ESPN

Michigan is 2-1 against ranked teams this season and has not lost at home. As much momentum as Penn State has from a sloppy win over Iowa last week, the Nittany Lions will have a much harder time in the Big House. Michigan’s defense is right there with Iowa’s for best in the Big Ten.

No. 3 Notre Dame (-9.5) vs. Northwestern

6:15 p.m. | ESPN

A loss doesn’t set the Wildcats back in the Big Ten West standings, and a victory will give them national recognition and most likely a top-25 ranking. After starting the season 1-3, Northwestern has picked things up and has won its last four. Roll Irish, though.