Big Ten Power Rankings Week 5
By Josh Shaw
Big Ten Power Rankings Week 5
1. Ohio State Buckeyes- The Buckeyes continued their undefeated streak with the demolition of FCS school Florida A&M. This week we will finally learn just how good this Buckeye team is as they begin conference play against Wisconsin at home. After playing without star quarterbackBraxton Miller the last two games the Buckeyes are expecting to get him back against the Badgers.
Next Game: Saturday September 28 vs. Wisconsin 8:00 PM ET (ABC)
2. Northwestern Wildcats- The Wildcats weren’t dominant this week and got a little complacent beating FCS school Maine by two touchdowns. With that being said they are idle this week before their Big Ten opener against Ohio State in two weeks. It gives them a chance to try and get fully healthy before the Buckeyes come to Evanston.
Next Game: Saturday October 5 vs. Ohio State 8:00 PM ET (ABC)
3. Michigan Wolverines- The Wolverines also continued their winning ways against Connecticut this past week. Even though they were victorious they struggled in doing so, needing a late comeback against competition they should beat handily. This week they have a bye before facing Minnesota in their Big Ten opener.
Next Game: Saturday October 5 vs. Minnesota 3:30 PM ET (ABC)
4. Wisconsin Badgers- The Badgers opened conference play on high note by dominating Purdue. That was redemption following the fiasco in Tempe against Arizona State. This week the Badgers face their stiffest test to date in the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Next Game: Saturday September 28 @ Ohio State 8:00 PM ET (ABC)
5. Minnesota Golden Gophers- The Golden Gophers faced their most fierce competition to date last week in San Jose State, a team that won 11 games last year. Minnesota passed the test with flying colors. This week they open up conference play against the Iowa Hawkeyes after going undefeated in their non-conference schedule. The Gophers would like nothing more than to gain back the Floyd of Rosedale trophy from the Hawkeyes.
Next Game: Saturday September 28 vs. Iowa 3:30 PM ET (ABC)
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers- The Cornhuskers responded well last week after so many distractions came about surrounding Head Coach Bo Pelini and the program. In doing so they defeated top ten FCS South Dakota State by 39 points. The Huskers are idle before they begin their Big Ten journey at home against Illinois.
Next Game: Saturday October 5 vs. Illinois Noon ET (ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU)
7. Michigan State Spartans- The Spartans slipped from number four down to number seven this week. They were competitive on the road in South Bend against Notre Dame but came up short. We saw their offense regress and be rather unproductive. This week the Spartans are idle before opening up Big Ten play against Iowa in two weeks.
Next Game: Saturday October 5 @ Iowa Noon ET (ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU)
8. Penn State Nittany Lions- The Nittany Lions returned to their winning ways against Kent State after being upset a week earlier by Central Florida. Their defense was a worry after the loss butthey came out and responded by giving up no points this week. The Nittany Lions are idle this week before they open Big Ten play against Indiana.
Next Game: Saturday October 5 @ Indiana
9. Illinois Fighting Illini- The Fighting Illini were idle this past week. This week they host Miami University (OH) and have a chance to best last years win total from last year with a victory. That will be a final tune-up before they travel to Nebraska to begin Big Ten play in two weeks.
Next Game: Saturday September 28 vs. Miami (OH) Noon ET (ABC)
10. Iowa Hawkeyes- The Hawkeyes wrapped up non-conference play in impressive fashion beating Western Michigan by eight touchdowns. This week the real season begins as they travel to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers for their Big Ten opener.
Next Game: Saturday September 28 @ Minnesota 3:30 PM ET (ABC)
11. Indiana Hoosiers- The Hoosiers struggled this week in a loss to SEC Missouri. They wound up coming out of non-conference play at 2-2 which means their goal of making a bowl game will require at least four conference wins this season. This week they have a bye before they host Penn State in two weeks to open Big Ten play.
Next Game: Saturday October 5 vs. Penn State Noon ET (BTN)
12. Purdue Boilermakers- The Boilermakers played tough two weeks ago against Notre Dame and everyone though they were building something. They began Big Ten play over the weekend and lost badly to Wisconsin. This week they will host Northern Illinois, a team that made the Orange Bowl last season.
Next Game: Saturday September 28 vs. Northern Illinois Noon ET (ESPN2)