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.