Big Ten Power Poll

October 2, 2015 at 2:47AM

BIG TEN POWER RANKINGS

1. Ohio State (4-0): The Buckeyes are 24-0 in regular-season Big Ten games under Urban Meyer. Next up: 4-0 Indiana.

2. Michigan State (4-0): Central Michigan outgained the Spartans 340-324 last week. Mark Dantonio wasn't happy.

3. Northwestern (4-0): No bandwagon yet. The Wildcats' average attendance is 31,754 at 47,130-seat Ryan Field.

4. Michigan (3-1): The Wolverines rank fourth nationally in scoring defense (9.5) and held BYU to 105 total yards.

5. Iowa (4-0): C.J. Beathard completed his first 15 passes against North Texas. The junior is 5-0 as a starter.

6. Wisconsin (3-1): Twelve consecutive quarters without allowing a TD — against Miami (Ohio), Troy and Hawaii.

7. Gophers (3-1): Minnesota is 9-5 in its past 14 Big Ten games, the league's fourth-best mark in that span.

8. Penn State (3-1, 1-0): The Nittany Lions have held opponents to less than 320 yards in 11 consecutive games, the longest such streak in nation.

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9. Nebraska (2-2): A chance to right the ship at Illinois on Saturday before Wisconsin visits Lincoln next week.

10. Indiana (4-0): Close wins over Southern Illinois (48-47), Western Kentucky (38-35) and Wake Forest (31-24).

11. Illinois (3-1): Needed a 51-yard field goal from Taylor Zalewski to beat Middle Tennessee State 27-25.

12. Rutgers (2-2, 0-1): Hoped to forge a rivalry after beating Penn State last year, but got rolled 28-3 this time.

13. Purdue (1-3): Impressive debut for freshman QB David Blough (29-of-39 for 340 yards) in loss to Bowling Green.

14. Maryland (2-2): The Terps had six turnovers in blowout loss to West Virginia, giving them 14 on the season.

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Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune

The remaining schedule is favorable, but their hopes of a late-season run were dulled by a home loss to the Terrapins.

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