Editor’s note: Big 10 of the Big Ten is a collection of tidbits from around the conference. This weekly feature provides a recap from the previous slate of games and also serves as a preview to the upcoming football weekend.

No place like the road

With Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Ohio State all winning on the road in Week Seven, four of the Big Ten’s five games last week were won by the visiting team. Road teams have a winning record through the first three weeks of conference play.

Michigan State searching for answers

After falling to Iowa in double overtime, the Spartans have lost three of their last four games in East Lansing, Mich. With Michigan State being ranked in the preseason top 10, a 4-3 start has been a letdown for Spartan fans. Replacing Kurt Cousins at quarterback has proved more difficult than originally anticipated.

Wisconsin back on track

The Badgers beat the Boilermakers 38-14 for their second straight victory after dropping their Big Ten opener to Nebraska. They remain the only team from the Leaders Division eligible for the Big Ten championship game with a conference victory. Illinois, Indiana and Purdue are all struggling through the early part of Big Ten play.

Bowl eligible

With its win over Minnesota, Northwestern became the Big Ten’s first bowl-eligible team. The Wildcats have achieved six wins quickly, but the most difficult part of their schedule lies ahead. Northwestern still hosts Nebraska and has to travel to Michigan and Michigan State.

No love from BCS

The Big Ten still has only two teams ranked in the AP Top 25. Ohio State sits at No. 7 after getting a scare from Indiana, while Michigan jumped up two spots to No. 23 after pummeling Illinois. But Big Ten teams were absent from the first BCS standings, which were released Sunday. With Ohio State ineligible for postseason play, it’s possible the Big Ten will only get one BCS bid for the first time since the 2005 bowl season.

Best offensive performance

With three touchdowns against the Boilermakers on Saturday, the Badgers’ Montee Ball became the Big Ten’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns with 72. His 247 yards were a career-high, and his 67-yard touchdown run was the longest of his career.

Best defensive performance

Michigan linebacker Jake Ryan matched a career-high with 11 tackles in a 45-0 blowout of Illinois at The Big House on Saturday. Ryan recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks. He also forced a fumble, as the Wolverines’ defense held the Illini to just 134 yards of total offense and seven first downs.

Paul Bunyan’s big day

Two rivalry trophies are up for grabs this weekend in conference play. Michigan and Michigan State will battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy in Ann Arbor, Mich. With four straight victories against their in-state rival, the Spartans are on their longest winning streak against the Wolverines since 1962. Oddly enough, Wisconsin and Minnesota will play for Paul Bunyan’s Axe at Camp Randall Stadium. The axe has remained under the Badgers’ control since 2003.

Game to watch

Nebraska and Northwestern will meet in Evanston, Ill., with major Legends Division implications. Neither team wants to pick up a second conference loss and fall further behind division leaders Michigan and Iowa. In last year’s meeting, the Wildcats outlasted the Cornhuskers 28-25, in Lincoln, Neb., with both teams scoring touchdowns in the final two minutes.

Game to keep an eye on

Two of the conference’s four unbeaten squads in conference play face off under the lights at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa will look to prove that it deserves the top spot in the Legends Division when it takes on Penn State on Saturday. This is the 25th meeting between the Hawkeyes and the Nittany Lions all time, with the series tied 12-12.

Sean can be reached at [email protected] and @sean_hammond.