BIG TEN

Detroit News Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 5

Go through the gallery to see the Big Ten Power Rankings for Week 5 by Matt Charboneau of The Detroit News.
Go through the gallery to see the Big Ten Power Rankings for Week 5 by Matt Charboneau of The Detroit News.
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
1. Ohio State (3-0) – The Buckeyes took the week off after dismantling Oklahoma and will get to the business of Big Ten play with Rutgers coming to town this week. The first big test comes in a couple of weeks at Wisconsin. Last week: 1.
1. Ohio State (3-0) – The Buckeyes took the week off after dismantling Oklahoma and will get to the business of Big Ten play with Rutgers coming to town this week. The first big test comes in a couple of weeks at Wisconsin. Last week: 1.
Scott Halleran, Getty Images
2. Michigan (4-0, 1-0) – The Wolverines keep on trucking by blowing out Penn State. Things might finally get interesting this week with Wisconsin coming to the Big House, a place the Wolverines haven’t left this season. Last week: 2
2. Michigan (4-0, 1-0) – The Wolverines keep on trucking by blowing out Penn State. Things might finally get interesting this week with Wisconsin coming to the Big House, a place the Wolverines haven’t left this season. Last week: 2
Robin Buckson, Detroit News
3. Wisconsin (4-0, 1-0) – The Badgers’ defense was dominant in their victory over Michigan State and the offense did enough to take advantage of four turnovers. Can they muster enough offense at Michigan? That will be the biggest question for the Badgers. Last week: 5.
3. Wisconsin (4-0, 1-0) – The Badgers’ defense was dominant in their victory over Michigan State and the offense did enough to take advantage of four turnovers. Can they muster enough offense at Michigan? That will be the biggest question for the Badgers. Last week: 5.
Bobby Ellis, Getty Images
4. Nebraska (4-0, 1-0) – Tommy Armstrong continues to impress for the Cornhuskers as he threw for 246 yards and ran for 132 in the win over Northwestern. The Huskers might not face another stiff test until they travel to Wisconsin (Oct. 29) and Ohio State (Nov. 5) in consecutive weeks. Last week: 4.
4. Nebraska (4-0, 1-0) – Tommy Armstrong continues to impress for the Cornhuskers as he threw for 246 yards and ran for 132 in the win over Northwestern. The Huskers might not face another stiff test until they travel to Wisconsin (Oct. 29) and Ohio State (Nov. 5) in consecutive weeks. Last week: 4.
David Banks, Getty Images
5. Michigan State (2-1, 0-1) – The defense was OK in the loss to Wisconsin but the Spartans’ offense was downright awful. Many of their 325 yards came with the game decided and four turnovers were just icing on the cake for an ugly performance. Last week: 3.
5. Michigan State (2-1, 0-1) – The defense was OK in the loss to Wisconsin but the Spartans’ offense was downright awful. Many of their 325 yards came with the game decided and four turnovers were just icing on the cake for an ugly performance. Last week: 3.
Dale G. Young, Detroit News
6. Iowa (3-1, 1-0) – The Hawkeyes got the win to bounce back from the loss to North Dakota State, and that’s about it. They were far from impressive in a 14-7 win at Rutgers and will need to right the ship with two of their next three on the road. Last week: 6.
6. Iowa (3-1, 1-0) – The Hawkeyes got the win to bounce back from the loss to North Dakota State, and that’s about it. They were far from impressive in a 14-7 win at Rutgers and will need to right the ship with two of their next three on the road. Last week: 6.
Elsa, Getty Images
7. Minnesota (3-0) – The Golden Gophers haven’t gone undefeated against the best teams in the nation, but they continue to run the ball well and should have plenty of confidence heading into Penn State. Last week: 7.
7. Minnesota (3-0) – The Golden Gophers haven’t gone undefeated against the best teams in the nation, but they continue to run the ball well and should have plenty of confidence heading into Penn State. Last week: 7.
Adam Bettcher, Getty Images
8. Maryland (3-0) – It was a week off for the Terrapins as they get ready to host Purdue in the first Big Ten game for coach DJ Durkin. It’s the start of a very winnable stretch of games for the Terps. Last week: 8.
8. Maryland (3-0) – It was a week off for the Terrapins as they get ready to host Purdue in the first Big Ten game for coach DJ Durkin. It’s the start of a very winnable stretch of games for the Terps. Last week: 8.
Nick Wass, AP
9. Rutgers (2-2, 0-1) – The Scarlett Knights hung with Iowa, but the lack of offense was a problem and could get worse as receiver Janarion Grant was injured. His status is unclear, but if he’s out for an extended period it will make things tough for coach Chris Ash. Last week: 10.
9. Rutgers (2-2, 0-1) – The Scarlett Knights hung with Iowa, but the lack of offense was a problem and could get worse as receiver Janarion Grant was injured. His status is unclear, but if he’s out for an extended period it will make things tough for coach Chris Ash. Last week: 10.
Elsa, Getty Images
10. Purdue (2-1) – They’re not booking plans for a bowl game just yet, but the Boilermakers are 2-1 for the first time under Darrell Hazell. They’ll have a decent shot to open Big Ten play, as well, with games at Maryland and Illinois the next two weeks. Last week: 14.
10. Purdue (2-1) – They’re not booking plans for a bowl game just yet, but the Boilermakers are 2-1 for the first time under Darrell Hazell. They’ll have a decent shot to open Big Ten play, as well, with games at Maryland and Illinois the next two weeks. Last week: 14.
Darron Cummings, AP
11. Penn State (2-2, 0-1) – The Nittany Lions are banged up on defense and it showed in allowing 326 yards on the ground against the Wolverines. Things aren’t much better on offense as they managed just 191 total yards and never really tested the Michigan defense. Last week: 9.
11. Penn State (2-2, 0-1) – The Nittany Lions are banged up on defense and it showed in allowing 326 yards on the ground against the Wolverines. Things aren’t much better on offense as they managed just 191 total yards and never really tested the Michigan defense. Last week: 9.
Leon Halip, Getty Images
12. Indiana (2-1) – The good feelings of a 2-0 start came crashing down for the Hoosiers with the home loss to Wake Forest. Five interceptions and a blocked field goal didn’t help as the Hoosiers get ready for a frustrated Michigan State team to open Big Ten play. Last week: 11.
12. Indiana (2-1) – The good feelings of a 2-0 start came crashing down for the Hoosiers with the home loss to Wake Forest. Five interceptions and a blocked field goal didn’t help as the Hoosiers get ready for a frustrated Michigan State team to open Big Ten play. Last week: 11.
Michael Hickey, Getty Images
13. Illinois (1-2) – It was an off-week for the Fighting Illini and they would have been wise to pay attention to Nebraska, the opponent for this week’s Big Ten opener. It’s a tall task for coach Lovie Smith, especially with it coming on the road. Last week: 13.
13. Illinois (1-2) – It was an off-week for the Fighting Illini and they would have been wise to pay attention to Nebraska, the opponent for this week’s Big Ten opener. It’s a tall task for coach Lovie Smith, especially with it coming on the road. Last week: 13.
Bradley Leeb, AP
14. Northwestern (1-3, 0-1) – The Wildcats might not be the worst team in the Big Ten by the end of the year, but right now they’re a mess. They lost by 10 at home to Nebraska and it wasn’t really that close. With the next two games at Iowa and Northwestern, it could get worse before it gets better. Last week: 12.
14. Northwestern (1-3, 0-1) – The Wildcats might not be the worst team in the Big Ten by the end of the year, but right now they’re a mess. They lost by 10 at home to Nebraska and it wasn’t really that close. With the next two games at Iowa and Northwestern, it could get worse before it gets better. Last week: 12.
David Banks, Getty Images