Big Ten Power Rankings: Northwestern rises in post-Week 7 poll
1. Penn State (6-0, 3-0): The Nittany Lions were off, giving them extra prep time for a visit from Michigan. And you know Penn State wants revenge for the pasting it took in 2016 in Ann Arbor.
Last week: 1
Up next: Michigan Oct. 21
2. Wisconsin (6-0, 3-0): It wasn’t pretty, but the Badgers sat on Purdue. Honestly, this team has no weakness. Who on the schedule is gonna beat Bucky? Who?
Last week: 2
Up next: Maryland
3. Ohio State (6-1, 4-0): That loss to Oklahoma seems like 100 years ago, as the Buckeyes showed their potential in destroying Nebraska. That’s five impressive wins in a row. Next!
Last week: 3
Up next: off; Penn State, Oct. 28
4. Michigan State (5-1, 3-0): It’s time to start fearing the Spartans, who already have beaten Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota. This team is only getting better.
Last week: 4
Up next: Indiana
5. Michigan (5-1, 2-1): The defense is championship-caliber. But the offense has some major issues along the line, at quarterback and at wideout. Will the offense be the Wolverines’ undoing?
Last week: 5
Up next: at Penn State
6. Iowa: (4-2, 1-2): The Hawkeyes are coming off a bye week as they head to Northwestern. Is Iowa the second-best team in the West? Yes.
Last week: 6
Up next: at Northwestern
7. Purdue (3-3, 1-2): The Boilermakers had a chance to win at Wisconsin, thanks to their defense. The offense has a lot of limitations the staff is trying to work around. But, there’s only so much scheming can do.
Last week: 7
Up next: at Rutgers
8. Northwestern (3-3, 1-2): Finally, the Wildcat offense came to life, as NU ended a two-game slide with a big win at Maryland.
Last week: 12
Up next: Iowa
9. Indiana (3-3, 0-3): The Hoosiers came so close to beating Michigan for the first time since 1987. IU has found a QB in Peyton Ramsey, a redshirt freshman with a big future.
Last week: 11
Up next: at Michigan State
10. Nebraska (3-4, 2-2): The Huskers had two golden chances to score big home wins the last two weeks … and they got blasted by Wisconsin and Ohio State. Now what?
Last week: 9
Up next: off; at Purdue, Oct. 28
11. Maryland (3-3, 1-2): The season may be reaching a tipping point for the Terrapins, who now have lost two in a row as they struggle for consistency.
Last week: 8
Up next: at Wisconsin
12. Minnesota (3-3, 0-3): That is three losses in a row for the Golden Gophers, who are struggling on offense and even made a switch at QB. Minnesota officially is on a slippery slope.
Last week: 10
Up next: Illinois
13. Rutgers (2-4, 1-2): Finally! The 16-game Big Ten losing streak is over! Hallelujah!
Last week: 14
Up next: Purdue
14. Illinois (2-4, 0-3): That’s four losses in a row for the Fighting Illini, who are enduring some big growing pains because of a commitment to youth. Be patient.
Last week: 13
Up next: at Minnesota