Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State football idle while Michigan, Penn State duke it out

Rob Oller, The Columbus Dispatch
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Ohio State will not win this week, but the Buckeyes won’t lose, either, because they are idle. With the conference's top-ranked team watching from home, the big matchup pits undefeated Michigan against unbeaten Penn State in what should be a big reveal over which is the more dangerous foe.

Elsewhere, by far the biggest surprise has been Illinois, which coach Bret Bielema has turned into a dangerous team in its division. At this point, the Illini might be favored to win the West. But first they must prove their worth against the other main contender, Minnesota. So consider this week something of a separator. Wolverines or Nittany Lions? Illini or Golden Gophers. Or maybe Purdue is just good enough to sneak into the mix? This much we know: Maryland, Michigan State and Iowa are not good enough to sneak into anything.

Oct 8, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes sing Carmen Ohio after their NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium.
Oct 8, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes sing Carmen Ohio after their NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium.

1. Ohio State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 1

This week: idle

What to know: Buckeyes classroom assignment: How not to lose “edge” when having the week off. Coach Ryan Day will need to put his “competitive stamina” sermon series to the test.

Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Malachi Holt-Bennett (19) misses a pass under coverage from Michigan Wolverines defensive back DJ Turner (5) during the second half Oct. 8, 2022 at Memorial Stadium. Wolverines won 31-10.
Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Malachi Holt-Bennett (19) misses a pass under coverage from Michigan Wolverines defensive back DJ Turner (5) during the second half Oct. 8, 2022 at Memorial Stadium. Wolverines won 31-10.

2. Michigan (6-0, 3-0)

Last week: 2

This week: Penn State

What to know: Compared to watching running backs coach Mike Hart collapse on the sideline while having a seizure, taking on the Nits in the Big House feels like child’s play.

3. Penn State (5-0, 2-0)

Last week: 3

This week: at Michigan

What to know: If PSU can make UM play through the air – and with the No. 5 run defense that’s a pretty safe bet – then the return trip to Happy Valley will be happy indeed.

4. Illinois (5-1, 2-1)

Last week: 6

This week: Minnesota

What to know: The biggest story in the Big Ten is Bret Bielema. Er, that didn’t come out right. Bielema is the best story. He also is the biggest reason, er, the Illini are on the march.

Oct 8, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) rolls out to pass during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at SECU Stadium.
Oct 8, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) rolls out to pass during the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at SECU Stadium.

5. Purdue (4-2, 2-1)

Last week: 7

This week: Nebraska

What to know: How it normally works in West Lafayette: just when you think the Boilermakers are better than advertised – two straight road wins – they prove you wrong. This team is hard to figure.

Oct 1, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford (88) jumps for the ball with Purdue Boilermakers cornerback Cory Trice (23) during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Oct 1, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford (88) jumps for the ball with Purdue Boilermakers cornerback Cory Trice (23) during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium.

6. Minnesota (4-1, 1-1)

Last week: 5

This week: at Illinois

What to know: The Golden Gophers’ four wins have come against teams with a combined 3-19 record. Gulp.

Oct 8, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Roman Hemby (24) runs during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at SECU Stadium.
Oct 8, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Roman Hemby (24) runs during the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at SECU Stadium.

7. Maryland (3-2, 1-2)

Last week: 4

This week: at Indiana

What to know: The Terps are somewhere between decent and average, which puts them miles ahead of the Hoosiers. Expect QB Taulia Tagovailoa to have a big day.

Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) runs the ball as Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Cameron Mitchell (2) seen running towards him during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. The Badgers defeated the Wildcats 42-7.
Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) runs the ball as Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Cameron Mitchell (2) seen running towards him during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. The Badgers defeated the Wildcats 42-7.

8. Wisconsin (3-3, 1-2)

Last week: 9

This week: at Michigan State

What to know: As Barry Alvarez strokes his chin, “Hmm, could I coach this team … AGAIN?” the Badgers quietly improve under interim Jim Leonhard.

9. Nebraska (3-4, 2-1)

Last week: 12

This week: at Purdue

What to know: After winning its first one-score game since the Stone Age, the Huskers hang another one on the Boilermakers in our upset special.

Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

10. Iowa (3-3, 1-2)

Last week: 8

This week: idle

What to know: The Hawkeyes take the week off. Just like their offense.

11. Rutgers (3-3, 1-2)

Last week: 10

This week: idle

What to know: After watching how the Scarlet Knights blew the game against Nebraska last week, we’re wondering if it’s possible for Dumb and Dumber to be rolled into one?

Oct 8, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker gets upset after a no call on a play in the second quarter of the NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium.
Oct 8, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker gets upset after a no call on a play in the second quarter of the NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium.

12. Michigan State (2-4, 0-3)

Last week: 11

This week: Wisconsin

What to know: Sparty’s pass defense, which ranks 122nd in yards allowed, takes the “Ole” approach to coverage. Just let the receivers pass you by. Luckily for them, Wisconsin’s air attack lacks juice.

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen yells and claps at his team during warmups before the home game Oct. 8, 2022 against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen yells and claps at his team during warmups before the home game Oct. 8, 2022 against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium.

13. Indiana (3-3, 1-2)

Last week: 13

This week: Maryland

What to know: IU is one of only a few Big Ten teams that can make Maryland look like a top-10 program. Hoosiers coach Tom Allen is quickly losing supporters.

Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Theran Johnson (10) tackles Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. The Badgers defeated the Wildcats 42-7.
Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Theran Johnson (10) tackles Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi during the second half of their game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. The Badgers defeated the Wildcats 42-7.

14. Northwestern (1-5, 1-2)

Last week: 14

This week: idle

What to know: The Wildcats are off again, but with this squad it’s hard to know the difference.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football ranking in Big Ten power poll