Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State hits the road; MSU, Iowa and Maryland hit the skids

Rob Oller, The Columbus Dispatch
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Ohio State takes its first road trip of the season, to East Lansing, where Michigan State would be wise to post a “No vacancy” sign on the door of Spartan Stadium.

The Buckeyes are coming off a pedestrian passing-game performance against Rutgers, yet still managed 49 points. Michigan travels to Indiana, which would be a more interesting game if it were basketball.

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Elsewhere, Minnesota dropped, Purdue rose and Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst lost his job. Be careful, Badgers, you don’t want to become Nebraska. Speaking of which, ladies and gentlemen, the Cornhuskers have left the basement!

Oct 1, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Miyan Williams (3) gets past Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Avery Young (2) on run in the third quarter of the NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium.
Oct 1, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Miyan Williams (3) gets past Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Avery Young (2) on run in the third quarter of the NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium.

1. Ohio State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 1

This week: at Michigan State

What to know: Ohio State is about to go 3-0 against coaches who previously coached for the Buckeyes: Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame), Greg Schiano (Rutgers) and now Sparty’s Mel Tucker.

Oct 1, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Makari Paige (7) and linebacker Junior Colson (25) tackle Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Sam LaPorta (84) as tight end Luke Lachey (85) looks on during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium.
Oct 1, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Makari Paige (7) and linebacker Junior Colson (25) tackle Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Sam LaPorta (84) as tight end Luke Lachey (85) looks on during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium.

2. Michigan (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten)

Last week: 2

This week: at Indiana

What to know: The Associated Press has Michigan ranked No. 4. Seems a tad high, but don’t tell that to the Hoosiers, who come away thinking the Wolverines are at least that good.

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

Last week: 3

This week: idle

What to know: The Nittany Lions get a week off to tune up for a trip to Michigan. Roar.

Maryland Terrapins RB Antwain Littleton II (31) leaps over Southern Methodist Mustangs linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia (41) for a second quarter touchdown in College Park, Maryland.
Maryland Terrapins RB Antwain Littleton II (31) leaps over Southern Methodist Mustangs linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia (41) for a second quarter touchdown in College Park, Maryland.

4. Maryland (3-1, 1-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 5

This week: Purdue

What to know: We’re about to separate the pretenders from the, well, other pretenders. The Terrapins aren’t as good as their record suggests, but they’re better than Purdue.

Oct 1, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson (9) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Oct 1, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson (9) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium.

5. Minnesota (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 4

This week: idle

What to know: What goes up must come down. The Golden Gophers drop, but not far. Their defense, ranked No. 2 nationally, steadies the ship.

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema watches before an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema watches before an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

6. Illinois (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 8

This week: Iowa

What to know: It would be arrogant to boast how we predicted Bret Bielema would sock it to his former employer (Wisconsin) last week, but just like the Illini coach we’re a little cocky.

Purdue safety Cam Allen intercepts a pass during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Purdue safety Cam Allen intercepts a pass during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

7. Purdue (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 11

This week: at Maryland

What to know: The Spoilermakers have a knack at pulling upsets, having disposed of previously undefeated Minnesota last week after knocking off No. 2 Iowa and No. 3 Michigan State a year ago. Maryland should be nervous.

Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy throws the ball away while under pressure from defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Kinnick Stadium, on Oct. 1, 2022 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy throws the ball away while under pressure from defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Kinnick Stadium, on Oct. 1, 2022 in Iowa City, Iowa.

8. Iowa (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 6

This week: at Illinois

What to know: The Hawkeyes take the nation’s No. 3-ranked scoring defense into Champaign. Normally, that would mean a win, but the Illini rank No. 1 in the same category. Oops.

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches during the first half of his team's game against Penn State in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.
Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches during the first half of his team's game against Penn State in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.

9. Wisconsin (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten)

Last week: 7

This week: at Northwestern

What to know: Interim coach Jim Leonhard brings new energy to a program that for a couple of seasons has been content to spend all day on the couch eating chips.

10. Rutgers (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 9

This week: Nebraska

What to know: One week after coach Greg Schiano ran across the field against Ohio State, the Scarlet Knights run up and down the field against the Cornhuskers.

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker looks down the field during the first half of MSU's 27-13 loss on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in College Park, Maryland.
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker looks down the field during the first half of MSU's 27-13 loss on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in College Park, Maryland.

11. Michigan State (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten)

Last week: 10

This week: Ohio State

What to know: Sparty rolls out the red carpet for OSU’s first road game by getting rolled.

12. Nebraska (2-4, 1-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 14

This week: at Rutgers

What to know: The longest road trip in the Big Ten feels that much longer for the Huskers on the way home.

Oct 1, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Tiawan Mullen (3) breaks up a pass to Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Marcus Washington (7) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Tiawan Mullen (3) breaks up a pass to Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Marcus Washington (7) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

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

Last week: 12

This week: Michigan

What to know: IU came away with the win the last time Michigan visited The Rock. But this time the Hoosiers get bouldered.

14. Northwestern (1-4, 1-1 Big Ten)

Last week: 13

This week: Wisconsin

What to know: Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they run into a UW team with a new coach and something to prove.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football Rankings: OSU No. 1, UM No. 2 in Big Ten