Wisconsin can't crack top two; Ohio State, Penn State swap places in Randy Johnson's rankings

November 3, 2017 at 4:26AM
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Sam Hubbard (6) walks off as fans rush the field following a 39-38 win against Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1214531
Ohio State: Randy Johnson’s new No. 1 in his Big Ten power rankings — and deservedly so, after the Buckeyes’ big comeback victory over Penn State. (Photo by Adam Cairns, Columbus Dispatch) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Big Ten power rankings

Randy Johnson ranks 'em:

1. Ohio State (7-1, 5-0): After huge comeback win over Penn State, Buckeyes must guard against hangover on trip to Iowa.

2. Penn State (7-1, 4-1): Nittany Lions' playoff aspirations took a big hit in collapse in Columbus. Now, they must impress at Michigan State in last true test.

3. Wisconsin (8-0, 5-0): Badgers breezed past Illinois, now go to Indiana as appetizer before Iowa, Michigan visit Camp Randall.

4. Northwestern (5-3, 3-2): After losses to Wisconsin and Penn State, Wildcats have won three straight and could run the table.

5. Michigan St. (6-2, 4-1): Triple-OT loss at Northwestern hurt. Now, Sparty must play Nittany Lions and Buckeyes back-to-back.

6. Michigan (6-2, 3-2): The Brandon Peters Era at QB has begun, and the redshirt freshman likely will get his first start with the Little Brown Jug on the line.

7. Iowa (5-3, 2-3): Hawkeyes needed that win over Gophers, because now they have Ohio St. and Wisconsin.

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8. Maryland (4-4, 2-3): A trip to Rutgers could boost bowl hopes.

9. Nebraska (4-4, 3-2): Cornhuskers host Northwestern, with second place in the Big Ten West on the line.

10. Purdue (3-5, 1-4): Visit from Illinois should provide a perfect salve to soothe that one-point loss to Nebraska.

11. Gophers (4-4, 1-4): With Floyd staying in Iowa, Gophers will try to seize the Little Brown Jug from Michigan. That's happened four times in the past 40 years.

12. Rutgers (3-5, 2-3): Scarlet Knights' two-game win streak gave way to reality at Michigan.

13. Indiana (3-5, 0-5): After visit from Wisconsin, schedule softens.

14. Illinois (2-6, 0-5): Visit to Purdue likely is only chance for Illini to post a Big Ten win.

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