The Power Rankings had a week off around the holidays. We're back and ready for action for Week 5.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (#2 Nationally, 14-0) Still undefeated, still atop the power rankings, still haven't played a close game all year.
2. Michigan State Spartans (#19 Nationally, 10-4) Finding their legs after early struggles out of conference.
3. Purdue Boilermakers (#10 Nationally, 13-1) Two big double-digit wins to open Big Ten play.
4. Wisconsin Badgers (Unranked, 11-3) Always tough to beat at the Kohl Center, where they are undefeated this year. Badgers have a win over Minnesota and a loss to Illinois to open Big Ten play.
5. Illinois Fighting Illini (#20 Nationally, 12-3) Wins over Iowa and Wisconsin have the Illini in a 3-way tie atop the conference.
6. Minnesota Golden Gophers (#21 Nationally, 11-3) 1-2 Big Ten record is misleading with both losses coming to ranked teams on the road. Beat IU to earn their first conference win last night.
7. Northwestern Wildcats (Unranked, 9-3) Late rally brought them close against Michigan State, but in the end, an 0-2 start to the Big Ten season isn't ideal for the Wildcats.
8. Michigan Wolverines (Unranked, 11-3) Michigan was walloped by Purdue and beat Penn State at home. Tough upcoming schedule with 2 of the top teams in the country (Kansas, Ohio State) in the next week.
9. Penn State Nittany Lions (Unranked, 8-5) A good win in Bloomington over the Hoosiers started the Nittany Lions off on the right foot, but a loss to Michigan won't help their cause.
10. Indiana Hoosiers (Unranked, 9-6) Probably generous not to have them in last after losses to Penn State, Ohio State and Minnesota.
11. Iowa Hawkeyes (Unranked, 7-6) Five out of their first 6 Big Ten games come against ranked opponents. The Hawkeyes could be looking 0-6 in the face when they host the Hoosiers on January 23rd.
Brian
