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)
2. Michigan State (3)
3. Wisconsin (2)
4. Michigan (4)
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The Wolverines were the latest victim of Michigan State’s No. 1-ranked defense. Michigan was held to just six points and had -48 yards rushing, a program record for worst rushing yardage in a game. Michigan now falls to fourth place in a very deep Legends division and still has Nebraska and Ohio State on the schedule. After starting off 5-0, there have been some chinks in the armor for Michigan after losing a four-overtime thriller to Penn State on Oct. 12.
5. Minnesota (T5)
Very quietly, the Gophers are in the hunt for a trip to Indianapolis after fighting off a frantic Indiana comeback on Saturday. Minnesota sits at 7-2, 3-2 in conference play. We will find out what if they are true contenders in the next three weeks with games against Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State left on the schedule, but if the Spartans fall before their matchup Nov. 30, the Gophers will have a shot at the Legends division lead.
6. Nebraska (T5)
7. Iowa (7)
8. Penn State (8)
9. Indiana (T9)
10. Northwestern (T9)
The Wildcats are fading fast. The losing streak now sits at five consecutive games after getting their hearts ripped out on a Hail Mary to Nebraska. The upcoming schedule does Northwestern no favors as they face both Michigan schools before the season finale against Illinois. A team that was looking at a potential BCS berth just a month ago now needs at least one upset to even become bowl eligible.
11. Illinois (11)
12. Purdue (12)
