THIS IS A WEEKLY BIG TEN POWER RANKINGS, by Luke Maiers.

What did we learn this week in the Big Ten? The sea of red game (Neb. vs. Wisc.) gave us one hell of a show, Northwestern might actually be good, and Lovie Smith can’t wait for his recruits to get to Illinois. Let’s get into this week’s rankings.

1. Michigan: It wasn’t quite the curb-stomping most people thought it would be, but rivalry games are usually close games. The Wolverines take on Maryland this week so this one should get ugly. Like going to the club and them turning on the lights ugly. After Michigan dismantles Maryland, they travel to Iowa City the next week and that one could be a blowout too. The Wolverines are in a good place right now.

2. Ohio State: I’m not sure if the Buckeyes are slipping or if Northwestern is good, either way, they suffered another scare this weekend. A few weeks ago I compared Barrett’s quarterback play to Uncle Rico. This week, I’ll compare it to Brucey from The Longest Yard. He came into the year as a Heisman hopeful, but here we sit entering week 10 and his name is buried in the “wannabe” list. The Buckeyes are going to have to figure something out this weekend as they take on a good Nebraska team.

3. Wisconsin: Wisconsin got the big W over Nebraska this weekend, and by doing this, it tightened up the Big Ten West race. It was a dog fight like most conference games are. The Badgers take on the brainiacs from the Chicago area this weekend and this could be a decent watch. The Badgers play good defense, just enough to piss you off. I’ll take the Badgers in this weekend’s match up though.

4. Nebraska: Does anyone else think Nebraska’s mascot is creepy? The Huskers dropped a heart breaker to Wisconsin last weekend, but the good news for them is that they still control their own destiny. They sit at 7-1 and if they win out, I don’t see how you can keep this team out of the playoff. If the Huskers can pull off the upset this weekend, it would be a signature win that this program has desperately been looking for.

5. Penn State: I mean, I guess Penn State is good, but I think their ranking in the first CFP Poll is too high. I’m about to drop some knowledge on you. James Franklin coming into the Ohio State game was 1-20 all time against ranked teams. I’m not saying the players on this team are no good. I’m saying that maybe they have a little too much hype. Penn State hosts Iowa this week, in Happy Valley, in a night game. These two schools have had some classics over the years and I would expect nothing less from this game.

6. Northwestern: The Wildcats have proven to be good this year and that loss to Ohio State is very impressive. Only losing by four to a team that has given you no shot of winning over the years. I will drink to that effort. In reality, this team still has a shot to win the West. Is it a good shot? No. But here we sit in the first week of November and Northwestern is still alive. That’s a victory in itself.

7. Iowa: Hey, the Hawkeyes didn’t lose this week. But they also didn’t play. That is the kind of season it has been for this team, and their schedule does not get any easier. They have games against Penn State, Michigan, and Nebraska still sitting on their schedule. This team is unpredictable, so I won’t say anything on how the rest of their season will go.

8. Minnesota: The Gophers are 6-2 but none of their wins are good. Congratulations, you blew out Illinois, but everyone is doing that this season. The Gophers take on Purdue this weekend but watch out. I’ll take Purdue in this pillow fight. The Gophers are sitting pretty… For now.

9. Indiana: Indiana got a tough win over Maryland this weekend, and they really needed that. This team started the season pretty good but has been sliding ever since. It sucks that Indiana is in the Big Ten East because I don’t believe that this team will ever stand atop that side of the conference. Sit back, grab a beer, and play spoiler for the rest of the season Hoosier fans. Also, don’t worry. Basketball season is right around the corner.

10. Maryland: The Terrapins started this season so well only to wet down their legs and blow their undefeated start. You might want to have some pain killers nearby this weekend Maryland fans. You have the defensive juggernaut in Michigan this weekend, and this one could hurt a lot. If I could give you one word of advice for this weekend, it is to pray. Pray, then pray, and then pray again. It’s your only hope.

11. Illinois: I would bet Lovie Smith cannot wait to get his own recruits into an Illini uniform. This team is rough to watch, but I do think in the next few years, they will be relevant. Give Smith some time to get the people he wants in there and then we can criticize. Michigan State is their next opponent and I would bet that this would be the least watched game this weekend.

12. Purdue: The Boilermakers got piss-pounded this weekend by the new brand of Nittany Lions football. This team hasn’t been decent since Drew Brees put on their uniform. In the last two seasons Purdue has won a combined two conference games. I feel bad for Purdue fans. Everybody deserves to be good once in a while. I’ll pull for Purdue as long as they are not playing Iowa.

13. Michigan State: A good effort by a team that is having a miserable season. They saved a little pride with their performance and have a few cup cakes on their schedule before they end the year against two ranked teams, which they will more likely than not lose.

14. Rutgers: Look for this football team to be winless after this weekend’s match up against Indiana. I really am convinced that this team will never be good in football. I can’t say much on this team. They didn’t lose last week, but they didn’t win either.