The Big Ten week-to-week never disappoints. It's always full of chaos and season-altering games. This year, the theme seems to be "which Big Ten teams are actually imposters?" With Wisconsin being one of them. The jury may still be out on Wisconsin because it seems as if UCLA is not an imposter...maybe? But we did figure out a couple of other imposters.
We knew Penn State was after the loss to Northwestern, but now they are winless in the conference. Washington, Illinois, and even Michigan all revealed themselves as imposters weeks ago. But it looks like now Northwestern may be one, as well as Purdue and Nebraska. Though Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Iowa all seem to fall into that "maybe" camp.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes took down Indiana and the only stain on their resume is against Texas.
2. UCLA Bruins
Undefeated in the Big Ten is undefeated in the Big Ten. It's impressive to get to 4-0 in conference play, and they shouldn't have a problem going to 5-0 with Michigan State next on the docket.
3. Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers were a literal foot away from being the top team in this Power Ranking. They probably deserve to be No. 2 because I would wager the Hoosiers beat the Bruins, but hey, Indiana has a loss, and UCLA doesn't.
4. USC Trojans
USC moved up while sitting on their bye week. It was chaotic enough as they sat back and waited to play Wisconsin this week.
5. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa vs. Minnesota this week is going to be a weird one. It's a game of "I hope they both lose."
6. Northwestern Wildcats
The Wildcats won but still dropped? Yes, they looked the part of the imposter against Michigan State. Northwestern may be 2-1 in the Big Ten, but they narrowly escaped one of the bad teams in the conference. The good news, they get to play Rutgers on Saturday.
7. Wisconsin Badgers
If UCLA is legit, what does that mean for the Badgers? Playing USC on Saturday may reveal exactly who Wisconsin is this season.
8. Oregon Ducks
What a weird team this season. The Ducks may be good; they may also be bad. They could thump Illinois on Saturday or lose to them. Who knows?
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska has a knack for losing games that they should win. It's almost like a circus act now. The Cornhuskers should have beaten the Ducks, but once again, they let it slip through their fingers.
10. Minnesota Golden Gophers
There's nothing new to say about this team. It will be illuminating on Saturday when Iowa and Minnesota take on each other.
11. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan is just not a good football team this season, but was lucky to find the Big Ten punching bag on their schedule last week in Penn State. They escaped in a 21-18 thriller but now get to take on an angry Indiana.
12. Washington Huskies
The Huskies may have found something with their backup quarterback. Elijah Brown was impressive and helped lead Washington to victory over Purdue. It's almost as if the Husky offensive line doesn't want to protect Demond Williams, because with Brown back there, all of a sudden the offensive line is good. Weird.
13. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue had a big step forward this season but still has a way to go. Not a great showing against the Huskies, but now they have a bye week to regroup.
14. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois is also back down to the bottom of the Big Ten with a 1-2 conference record and a 3-3 record overall. They really could use a win over Oregon on Saturday.
15. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers losing to UMASS is still the dumbest thing to happen to the Big Ten this season. However, they've somehow pulled things together and beat Maryland, who now fall to the bottom of the conference.
16. Penn State Nittany Lions
How are Penn State and Michigan State below Rutgers? Well, Rutgers at least has a Big Ten win on their resume. The Nittany Lions and the Spartans do not. The bye week couldn't have come at a better time for Penn State.
17. Michigan State Spartans
Can't find a win, and will find it hard again this week against top-10 UCLA.
18. Maryland Terrapins
How does Mike Locksley still have a job? Losing to Rutgers should have been the nail in the coffin.
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