The Ro?Tel Ratings -- No flags for ethics

Some of those Michigan State injuries were totally legit. Others I could see questions, but who am I to say a kid didn't get hurt?

This one is going to be discussed at the league office in Park Ridge.

Kurtis Drummond took a shot to the head in a tackle. I'm pretty sure Jerel Worthy took a knee to the googles when he ran over Matt Tobin en route to the quarterback. The others? Hey, it's all in gamesmanship. It's not illegal (still waiting for something from the Big Ten, but they're probably laughing at my e-mail). Who's going to question the legitimacy of injury and pain? Who can? The ethics? Hey, it's not illegal.

I really do think this will force some examination. No-huddle offenses run at an unabated pace in college. You heard Norm Parker earlier this fall. The NFL has rules to allow the defense to be able to respond to an offense's no-huddle. Even then, that didn't stop the Giants from clearly using that tactic this season. I believe it left off at next team to try it loses a draft pick.

My guess is a rules committee would legislate around the injuries, and that puts no-huddle strategy in the crosshairs. It could be kind of like hockey. The official holds his hand up in the air and eyes the visiting team's bench. When the visitors finish changing lines, the home team gets to answer. It's an advantage, can be a pretty big advantage if the visitor's fourth line gets stuck for a shift against a top line.

Iowa put some deadly efficient and winning no-huddle offense on video this fall. The greatest comeback in school history was built on the no-huddle offense. A smart coach scouts that and has a plan. Did Worthy tip MSU's hand with the following:

“When an offense is moving like that the smart move is to just go down and just take your time and don't kind of rush through it, but that's what we went out, that's what we went out there and did,” Worthy said. “But at the same time, regardless of the injuries, we played our best ball this week and regardless of the injuries, we still went out there and dominated.”

I could see a college football official holding his hand up to slow an offense and allow the defense to make a quick adjustment if it needed. There's a scenario that would punish a player who's in and out of the lineup, but you can't legislate pain and injury. That would force serious examination of ethics and no one wants that, do they?

1. Wisconsin (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten)

That's the sound of inevitability, Leaders Division.

Last week: No. 1

Next: at Illinois

2.  Michigan State (8-2, 5-1)

Spartans have the ink-blocking stencil that reads "Legend Division Champs" off to the screen printers.

Last week: No. 2

Next: vs. Indiana

3. Nebraska (8-2, 4-2)

In an incredibly emotional moment, the class of the Nebraska program came through at State College. Well done, Huskers.

Last week: No. 4

Next: at Michigan

4. Penn State (8-2, 5-1)

Steps have been made in priorities. Long way to go.

Last week: No. 3

Next: at Ohio State

5. Michigan (8-2, 4-2)

Still a year from serious contention. Maybe two.

Last week: No. 7

Next: vs. Nebraska

6. Ohio State (6-4, 3-3)

Urban Meyer bought how many acres outside of Columbus?

Last week: No. 5

Next: vs. Penn State

7. Purdue (5-5, 3-3)

Beat the Hawkeyes, say hello to bowl eligibility for the first time since 2007.

Last week: No. 10

Next: vs. Iowa (11 a.m. BTN)

8. Iowa (6-4, 3-3)

Pretty much been a megaquake season for the Hawkeyes. Up and down. Shaken and stirred. Sometimes, it's Jenga. Sometimes, it's victory lap. Sometimes, it's a victory lap during a megaquake.

Last week: No. 6

Next: at Purdue (11 a.m. BTN)

9. Northwestern (5-5, 2-4)

The Wildcats go bowling with a victory over Minnesota this week at Ryan Field. Not that bowling, the other bowling.

Last week: No. 8

Next: vs. Minnesota

10. Illinois (6-4, 2-4)

The Big Ten is going to ship someone to the Detroit Bowl this season. Illini, don't forget to pack your passport. You're going to want to hit Windsor.

Last week: No. 9

Next: vs. Wisconsin

11. Minnesota (2-8, 1-5)

Minnesota is kind of playing like the 2000 Hawkeyes. At the end of the season, that team was fun and you could see it making progress.

Last week: No. 11

Next: at Northwestern

12. Indiana (1-9, 0-6)

Win this week and the whole season is a success.

Last week: No. 12

Next: at Michigan State