Big Ten Power Rankings: Michigan remains No. 1 but Penn State draws closer after blowout
The last time Michigan and Michigan State both went into games without real head coaches was when Brady Hoke and John L. Smith ran the two programs, har-har. The Wolverines will go with (checks this week’s game program) offensive line coach Sherrone Moore to fill in for the suspended Jim Harbaugh, while longtime MSU assistant Harlan Barnett steps in for suspended Mel Tucker as the university investigates sexual harassment allegations against Tucker. Maybe the state should change its travel slogan to “Pure chaos.”
1. Michigan (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Last week: 1
This week: vs. Bowling Green
What to know: The drive from Bowling Green to Ann Arbor takes only 75 minutes, or about the same time it will take the Wolverines, in real time, to dispose of the Falcons.
2. Penn State (2-0, 0-0)
Last week: 2
This week: at Illinois
What to know: That blue and white object in Michigan's passenger side mirror is closer than it appears, especially after the Nittany Lions blow the doors off the Illini one week after hanging 63 points on Delaware.
3. Ohio State (2-0, 1-0)
Last week: 3
This week: vs. Western Kentucky
What to know: Coach Ryan Day keeps bemoaning the new clock rules that decrease the number of plays the Buckeyes have in their holster. WKU will wish there were even fewer.
4. Iowa (2-0, 0-0)
Last week: 5
This week: Western Michigan
What to know: Iowa is about to improve to 3-0 with an offense that makes soccer look like a high-scoring sport. But the defense makes a Messi of WMU.
5. Wisconsin (1-1, 0-0)
Last week: 4
This week: vs. Georgia Southern
What to know: Georgia Southern also was the name of a famous railroad company in the 1870s, which makes sense since the Badgers will ride the Eagles out of Madison on a rail.
6. Maryland (2-0, 0-0)
Last week: 6
This week: vs. Virginia (Friday)
What to know: How easy will the Terps beat Virginia? Well, the Cavaliers just lost to James Madison, who was married to Dolley Madison, who inspired the Dolly Madison bakery name. Connect the dots and Maryland is playing a team softer than a fruit pie.
7. Michigan State (2-0, 0-0)
Last week: 7
This week: vs. Washington
What to know: The Huskies treat the Spartans like a crank caller – ahem – and hang up on them.
8. Minnesota (2-0, 1-0)
Last week: 8
This week: at North Carolina
What to know: North Carolina is still so mad at the NCAA for denying eligibility to wide receiver Devontez Walker that it punishes the Golden Gophers with a four-quarter suspension of points.
9. Rutgers (2-0, 1-0)
Last week: 12
This week: Virginia Tech
What to know: The Scarlet Knights know what 3-0 feels like. After all, it happened last season, too. The real test of improvement comes next week at the Big House.
10. Purdue (1-1, 0-0)
Last week: 10
This week: vs. Syracuse
What to know: Purdue bounced back from a stinging loss to Fresno State by upending Virginia Tech. But a roller coaster season races back down the hill this week against the Orange.
11. Illinois (1-1, 0-0)
Last week: 7
This week: vs. Penn State
What to know: When Illini fans try to imitate the PSU White Out crowd, FOX broadcasters understandably mistake the white clothing for surrender flags.
12. Nebraska (0-2, 0-1)
Last week: 9
This week: vs. Northern Illinois
What to know: Now we know why 93,000 showed up at Nebraska to watch volleyball.
13. Indiana (1-1, 0-1)
Last week: 13
This week: vs. Louisville
What to know: The Hoosiers’ offense got the message, racking up 558 yards against Indiana State one week after playing dead against Ohio State. But somehow they lose the memo against Louisville.
14. Northwestern (1-1, 0-1)
Last week: 14
This week: at Duke
What to know: In an autumn nutshell, Duke is better than advertised. Northwestern is worse.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 3rd behind Michigan, Penn State in Big Ten power rankings
