B1G Power Rankings: Jim Harbaugh salutes Malcolm X

Big Ten power rankings for people who think the powerful have too much power. Lemme hear you say 'Fight the power!'

1. Michigan (4-0 Big Ten, 7-0 overall):

Jim Harbaugh wore glasses during the Wolverines' 41-8 win over Illinois, saying later it was a tribute to Woody Hayes, the Michael Douglas character in 'Falling Down,' and Malcolm X. He did. He really said that.

2. Ohio State (3-1, 6-1):

It was a Penn State return of a blocked field goal that tripped up the Buckeyes in Happy Valley. Just like it was tax evasion that put Al Capone in jail. OK, it was nothing like that at all.

3. Wisconsin (2-2, 5-2):

Gary Andersen is 4-15 at Oregon State since he left the Badgers for the Beavers. In the meantime, Wisconsin has remained Wisconsin.

4. Nebraska (4-0, 7-0)

: Stanford won the 2014 Foster Farms Bowl, then went 12-2 the following season and won the Rose Bowl. The Huskers won the Foster Farms Bowl last year, and haven't lost since. Hey Iowa, how do you feel about San Francisco in December?

5. Penn State (3-1, 5-2)

: On any other Saturday night this season, this would have been the biggest thing in sports. But ... Cubs.

6. Sports:

They're bloated and silly and too important in our culture, and still ... what else can make so many people feel what the fans at Wrigley Field or Penn State felt Saturday night? Not Netflix or Hulu.

7. Northwestern (3-1, 4-3):

The Wildcats gained 371 yards in the first half of its 24-14 win over Indiana, 37 yards in the second half. They liked the first half better.

8. Iowa (3-2, 5-3):

The Hawkeyes have a bye week, but Saturday in Iowa City won't be dead. That's because Dead Larry is performing at Gabe's that night, along with Jon Wayne and the Pain.

9. Maryland (2-2, 5-2):

Terrapins fans will be bitterly disappointed when they finish 5-7, then 80 percent of their starters leave early for the NBA.

10. Indiana (1-3, 3-4):

'Offensively, same story,' said Hoosiers Coach Kevin Wilson after Saturday's loss at Northwestern. 'Can't run it. Can't score points. Poorly coached.' That may not want to be the slogan they put on billboards next year when they're trying to sell tickets.

11. Minnesota (2-2, 5-2):

The Gophers are one win from becoming bowl-eligible. Which means several low-level bowls are extremely nervous.

12. Purdue (1-3, 3-4):

The Boilermakers lost by 14 points to Iowa, fired their coach, then lost by only 13 to Nebraska. So it's incremental progress.

13. Texas Tech:

You gain 854 yards, you convert 20 of 25 third downs, you get 42 first downs, and you lose to Oklahoma, 66-59? Yeah, because the Sooners gained 854 yards, too. Arena football thinks that score is a joke.

14. Illinois (1-3, 2-5)

: The Illini had six first downs at Michigan. Texas Tech gets that while falling out of bed in the morning.

15. Rutgers (0-5, 2-6)

: In his first college start, Giovanni Rescigno threw three TD passes for Rutgers in its 34-32 loss at Minnesota. Before his days there are done, Giovanni Rescigno will be a bigger folk hero in New Jersey than Jon Bon Jovi.

16. Michigan State (0-4, 2-5):

The Spartans are 0-4 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1982. Linebacker/captain Riley Bullough had three personal foul penalties in the first 11 minutes of their loss at Maryland, and was ejected for targeting. Michigan State needs an exorcist.