Big Ten power poll

1. Michigan: The Wolverines solidified their place with a dominating performance at Northwestern.

2. Indiana: The Hoosiers have fallen from their pedestal a bit, but Indiana is still plenty strong.

3. Minnesota: One game is, well, one game, but the Gophers made good on early hype vs. Michigan State.

4. Ohio State: Deshaun Thomas would like some help. Still, the Buckeyes had no problem vs. Nebraska.

5. Michigan State: Don't be fooled into thinking this is a down year. Tom Izzo gets his teams to play.

6. Iowa: This might be the least talked-about team with the potential to finish much better than predicted.

7. Illinois: Now we really KNOW what we already knew: It's hard to win on any Big Ten visiting court, again.

9. Wisconsin: This Badgers team has a lot of improving to do. Still, Wisconsin is always tough to beat.

10. Northwestern: Things are rough in Wildcat land with Drew Crawford (dislocated shoulder) gone for the season.

11. Penn State: A scrappy performance in nearly upsetting Wisconsin on its home court, even without leader Tim Frazier.