B1G Power Rankings: Up with Badgers, down with OSU, Michigan

Big Ten power rankings for people who like to eat turkey on Thanksgiving. And for those who don't.

1. Wisconsin (6-2 Big Ten, 9-2 overall): The Badgers have played the league's hardest schedule and have gotten stronger. That's not how it's supposed to work.

2. Penn State (7-1, 9-2):

Penn State fans took over Rutgers' student section during the fourth quarter of Saturday night's game in New Jersey. Which made Penn State's 39-0 win the second-biggest insult of the evening.

3. Ohio State (7-1, 10-1):

'They were controlling the line of scrimmage,' Urban Meyer said about Michigan State after the Buckeyes squeaked out a 17-16 win at MSU. That's not the most-compelling argument for admission into the College Football Playoff.

4. Michigan (7-1, 10-1):

The Wolverines passed for a paltry 59 yards in their 20-10 win over Indiana. If they get similar production Saturday at Ohio State, Jim Harbaugh might do or say something odd. If Michigan wins? He might do or say something odd.

5. Nebraska (6-2, 9-2):

The Huskers have a good record and all, but it's still hard to be sold on Nebraska. As a tourist destination, that is.

6. Iowa (5-3, 7-4):

The threat of the Hawkeyes going to Detroit's Quick Lane Bowl has been removed with their seventh win. Fear is the most-powerful motivator.

6a. Iowa State (3-8)

: The Cyclones beat the team that had the nation's No. 2 scoring offense by 56 points. You just don't see that on any given Saturday.

6b. Coe (11-0):

In Saturday's second round of the Division III playoffs, the Kohawks go to St. Paul to play St. Thomas. Heavens!

7. Minnesota (5-3, 8-3):

The Gophers' average home attendance this season was 43,814, their smallest since 2002. Maybe they should schedule St. Thomas.

8. Indiana (3-5, 5-6)

: The Hoosiers' men's basketball team plays at IPFW (Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne) Tuesday. So a big-boy state university team goes on the road to play a smaller state school. What a concept! Maybe Iowa and Iowa State should consider … never mind.

9. Northwestern (4-4, 5-6)

: If it beats Illinois Saturday, Northwestern could be headed to New York for the Pinstripe Bowl. But know this, Wildcats: 'Hamilton' is sold out through next September.

10. Michigan State (1-7, 3-8)

: The Spartans separated themselves from the Big Ten's flotsam and jetsam by giving Ohio State a great battle. They'll be back, but not in time for the holidays.

11. Maryland (2-6, 5-6)

: After losing their last three games by a total of 149-13, the Terrapins clearly are ready to play Rutgers Saturday.

12. Purdue (1-7, 3-8)

: The Purdue coaching job is open. If you accept it now, you might also get a 2-for-1 coupon at Dog n Suds in West Lafayette.

13. Illinois (2-6, 3-8)

: It was easy for Iowa's players to identify their fans in the stands at Illinois Saturday. They were the people who were in the stands.

14. Rutgers (0-8, 2-9)

: Shut out by Ohio State. Shut out by Michigan. Shut out by Michigan State. Shut out by Penn State. There haven't been as many zeros in one place since (insert your own punch line here).