BIG TEN POWER RANKINGS
1. Ohio State (10-0, 6-0): Defense is taking control. Buckeyes held Minnesota, Illinois to a combined 53 rushing yards.
2. Iowa (10-0, 6-0): The Hawkeyes can clinch the Big Ten West title with a win at home Saturday against Purdue.
3. Michigan State (9-1, 5-1): The Spartans forced five Maryland turnovers and lead the Big Ten with a plus-13 turnover margin.
4. Michigan (8-2, 5-1): Jim Harbaugh has molded Jake Rudock into a better quarterback than most thought he could be.
5. Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1): After a bye, Corey Clement (sports hernia) is still doubtful for Saturday vs. Northwestern.
6. Northwestern (8-2, 4-2): The Wildcats upset Wisconsin last year but they're still underdogs heading to Camp Randall.
7. Penn State (7-3, 4-2): The Nittany Lions, tough at home, face Michigan, which is shaky on the road.
8. Nebraska (5-6, 3-4): Rejuvenated Cornhuskers get a late-season bye to get ready for Iowa's visit on Black Friday.
9. Illinois (5-5, 2-4): The Illini have used the same starting five offensive linemen all season, allowing just 16 sacks.
10. Gophers (4-6, 1-5): Peter Mortell's 43.9 punting average ranks third in Big Ten. He's within a yard of the lead.
11. Purdue (2-8, 1-5): Freshman quarterback David Blough passed for 287 yards in a 21-14 loss to Northwestern.
12. Indiana (4-6, 0-6): Jordan Howard leads the Big Ten with 149.9 rushing yards per game, but he missed two games.
13. Rutgers (3-7, 1-6): WR Leonte Carroo returned, and the Scarlet Knights still gained just 259 yards against Nebraska.
14. Maryland (2-8, 0-6): After respectable first year, Rutgers, Maryland have plunged to the bottom of the Big Ten.