Big Ten rankings: Buckeyes, Badgers on collision course for Indianapolis

11/13/2017
BY KYLE ROWLAND
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

East

1. Ohio State: What a difference a week makes. The Buckeyes found that out last week -- and again this week.

2. Michigan State: The Spartans’ Big Ten championship hopes are over.

3. Penn State: It was interesting for the first quarter against Rutgers. But the Nittany Lions finally clawed out of a two-week long rut.

4. Michigan: The Wolverines have a major opportunity this week at Wisconsin.

5. Indiana: The Hoosiers have to win their final two games — Rutgers and Purdue — to qualify for a bowl game in Tom Allen’s first season.

6. Rutgers: There seems to be clear progress and signs of hope for Rutgers in Year 2 of the Chris Ash era.

7. Maryland: Fourth-string QB Ryan Brand delivered a gutsy performance against Michigan.

West

1. Wisconsin: A chaotic Saturday cleared the Badgers’ path to the College Football Playoff. Standing in their way this week is Michigan.

2. Northwestern: The Wildcats have won five straight games, and that number will probably grow to seven with Minnesota and Illinois closing out the season.

3. Iowa: Life comes at you fast. One week after dismantling Ohio State, the Hawkeyes’ offense was limited to zero points and less than 100 yards.

4. Purdue: Like their in-state brethren, the Boilermakers must win out to make a bowl in Jeff Brohm’s debut season. Iowa and Indiana await.

5. Minnesota: The Gophers takedown of Nebraska was equal parts stunning and not stunning, if that makes sense.

6. Nebraska: Oh, my goodness. It was a bad Saturday for head coach Mike Riley and defensive coordinator Bob Diaco. Not only did Minnesota score 54 points, it had 409 rushing yards.

7. Illinois: It looks like a winless Big Ten season is all but assured for the Illini.