Editor’s note: Every week, The Daily Illini football staff ranks the football teams in the Big Ten 1-12 and compiles the lists into its own Big Ten power rankings.
1. Ohio State (Last Week: 1)
Like most of the top teams in college football this week, Ohio State beat up on a cupcake who had no business playing on the same field. The Buckeyes beat Florida A&M 76-0 and scored 69 of those points in the first three quarters. With the nonconference schedule finished, Ohio State will finally get its first real test of the year when it hosts Wisconsin this weekend.
2. Northwestern (2)
3. Wisconsin (4)
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With half of the Big Ten off this upcoming weekend, Wisconsin’s showdown with Ohio State will be the conference’s marquee matchup. If it weren’t for the debacle that was the final 18 seconds of the Badgers’ loss to Arizona State two weeks ago, they might be coming into this game with an unblemished record. Either way the slates are wiped clean heading into conference play, and with Wisconsin’s win over Purdue last weekend, it’s technically in the driver’s seat in the Leaders Division.
4. Michigan (3)
5. Nebraska (6)
6. Michigan State (5)
Michigan State had chances to take down Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., last week, but couldn’t capitalize. Once again the Spartans quarterback play was subpar. Connor Cook completed only 50 percent of his passes for 135 yards and a touchdown in a 17-13 loss. He was yanked on the final drive of the game in favor of Andrew Maxwell, who was unable to complete a pass, let alone rally the Spartans for the win.
7. Minnesota (7)
8. Penn State (9)
9. Illinois (8)
10. Iowa (11)
11. Indiana (10)
The Hoosiers dropped to 2-2 with a loss at home to Missouri last weekend, and dropped a spot in The Daily Illini power rankings. It was Indiana’s first game against a BCS conference opponent this season, and the Hoosiers’ SEC counterpart had no trouble disposing of them. During a stretch between the second and fourth quarters, the Tigers scored 24 unanswered points to quiet the Hoosier faithful.
12. Purdue (12)
