Big Ten power rankings: Ohio State gets top spot, Penn State drops with surprise loss

1. Ohio State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten): It’s two days later, and Carnell Tate is still wide open, hauling in bombs from Julian Sayin. The Buckeyes certainly flexed their muscles in a 42-3 drubbing of the Gophers. Up next is a trip to Illinois.

2. Oregon (4-0, 2-0): The Ducks were idle this weekend ahead of a visit from No. 7 Indiana. Penn State’s loss at UCLA took a little shine off Oregon’s double-OT win in Happy Valley.

3. Indiana (5-0, 2-0): The Hoosiers were idle in preparation for a trip to Oregon, No. 3 in the Associated Press poll. It’s a fascinating quarterback matchup between Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (16 TD passes, one interception) and Oregon’s Dante Moore (14 TD passes, one pick).

4. Illinois (5-1, 2-1): Luke Altmyer passed for 390 yards in a 43-27 victory over Purdue. Good luck in trying to get anywhere near those numbers when Ohio State and its suffocating defense visit Champaign.

5. Michigan (4-1, 2-0): The Wolverines ground Wisconsin into submission in a 24-10 win. A trip to USC figures to be more challenging.

6. USC (4-1, 2-1): The Trojans, idle Saturday, begin a three-week stretch that includes a visit from Michigan, a trip to Notre Dame and a trip to Nebraska.

7. Washington (4-1, 1-1): Down 20-0 late in the third quarter, the Huskies pulled off a great escape at Maryland by scoring the final 24 points for their first conference road victory as a Big Ten member.

9. Maryland (4-1, 1-1): The Terrapins couldn’t stop the second-half bleeding against Washington as their offense gained only 52 yards on Maryland’s final four possessions.

10. Penn State (3-2, 0-2): The Nittany Lions likely saw their College Football Playoff hopes end with a 42-37 loss at UCLA. Penn State gave up 446 total yards, including 280 on the ground.

11. Iowa (3-2, 1-1): The Hawkeyes were idle ahead of their trip to Wisconsin, where they will try to keep the Heartland Trophy for a fourth consecutive year.

12. Gophers (3-2, 1-1): Aside from their opening field-goal drive at Ohio State, the Gophers mustered only 96 yards at No. 1 Ohio State. They should be — and must be — more productive against Purdue on homecoming night.

13. Rutgers (3-2, 0-2): The Scarlet Knights were idle this weekend and now prepare for a long flight on a short week that takes them to Washington for a game Friday night.

15. Northwestern (3-2, 1-1): The Wildcats stepped out of conference play to drub Louisiana-Monroe 42-7. They need three wins for bowl eligibility, and there’s a path to get there.

16. UCLA (1-4, 1-1): The Bruins were 24½-point underdogs to the Nittany Lions as transfer QB Nico Iamaleava ran for three touchdowns and passed for two in a 42-37 stunner.

17. Purdue (2-3, 0-2): The Boilermakers amassed 453 yards in their 43-27 loss to Illinois — that despite committing eight penalties for 61 yards in losses.