B1G Power Rankings Week 5

1. Michigan State (Previously 1)

Last Week: 73-14 win over Eastern Michigan
This Week: Wyoming
Prediction: MSU 41 WYO 20

They destroyed a very bad Eastern Michigan team and should have no problem with an underrated Wyoming team before Big 10 play begins. Still head and shoulders above everyone else in the conference.

2. Ohio State (2)

Last Week: Bye
This Week: Cincinnati
Prediction: tOSU 30 CIN 27

As Rutgers fans know, Cincinnati always has a good offense and Gunner Kiel could give the Bucs some problems, but JT Barrett and the offense are improving every week.

3. Nebraska (3)

Last Week: 41-31 win over Miami (FL)
This Week: Illinois
Prediction: NEB 37 ILL 24

They won a chippy game over a mediocre Miami team convincingly, and should dispatch of Illinois easily before a big show down in East Lansing next week.

4. Wisconsin (4)

Last Week: 68-17 win over Bowling Green
This Week: USF
Prediction: WIS 55 USF 17

Melvin Gordon went crazy last week and seems to be healthy after being banged up earlier in the year. USFwillnot give their defense any problem.

5. Penn State (5)

Last Week: 48-7 win over UMass
This Week: Northwestern
Prediction: PSU 30 NW 13

Still not looking particularly great, but nobody else warrants being above them yet. They should handle a really bad Northwestern team.

6. Rutgers (7)

Last Week: 31-24 win over Navy
This Week: Tulane
Prediction: Coming Soon

Injuries are mounting for the Scarlet Knights, but their front seven and running game have been very strong.

7. Maryland (8)

Last Week: 34-20 win over Syracuse
This Week: at Indiana
Prediction: UMD 31 IND 35

Syracuse isn't good. I could see Indiana's offense giving this defense some trouble.

8. Indiana (12)

Last Week: 31-27 win over Missouri
This Week: Maryland
Prediction: IND 35 UMD 31

Going on the road and defeating the defending SEC East champions is the Big 10' biggest and most impressive win this year.

9. Iowa (9)

Last Week: 24-20 win over Pitt
This Week: at Purdue
Prediction: Iowa 24 PUR 13

Back up quarterback CJ Beathard lead a second half comeback at Pitt last week and it looks like the Hawkeyes have a QB controversy brewing.

10. Michigan (6)

Last Week: 26-10 loss to Utah
This Week: Minnesota
Prediction: MICH 17 MIN 13

The Wolverine offense has been abysmal against power 5 foes and a QB change might be on the horizon.

11. Minnesota (10)

Last Week: 24-7 win over San Jose State
This Week: at Michigan
Prediction: MIN 13 MICH 17

Pretty solid team, but they can't pass. Hard to see them going into the Big House and taking back the Little Brown Jug.

12. Illinois (11)

Last Week: 42-35 win over Texas State
This Week: at Nebraska
Prediction: NEB 37 ILL 24

Wes Lunt is good, their defense, not so much.

13. Purdue (13)

Last Week: 35-13 win over Southern Illinois
This Week: Iowa
Prediction: PUR 13 Iowa 24

Two wins now.

14. Northwestern (14)

Last Week: 24-7 win over Western Illinois
This Week: at Penn State
Prediction: NW 13 PSU 30

First win in a while.