Wisconsin rolls to top of Big 10 without playing a game last weekend

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

As the Big 10 continues conference play, Sports Talk From Top To Bottom takes a look at the nation’s fourth best football conference, ranking its league members from top to bottom. We are using GamePlan Magazines power ranking system to come up with our standings. In some cases, a team’s opponent was not included in GamePlan’s power ranking system so we gave those programs a 110 power ranking each week in order to calculate the power ranking of those programs that are included.

Feel free to throw your thoughts in on these rankings. A team’s power ranking is a season-long accumulation of points, so these standings may change dramatically from week to week. On the first line next to ‘Big Ten Conference’ is the league’s collective won-loss record and the average power ranking of the school’s that compete for the conference. On the line next to each school is that school’s league record, overall record, power ranking and which division they reside in.

Enjoy!

Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Big Ten Conference 34-12 121.4

1. Wisconsin 0-0 3-0 133 West

The Badgers move up despite being Idle last weekend. Next up for the Badgers is Northwestern at home Saturday at 11:00 a.m. on ABC.

2. Penn State 1-0 4-0 132 East

A close win at Iowa drops the Nittany Lions to second. Next up is Indiana at home Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on BTN2.

3. Ohio State 1-0 3-1 132 East

The Buckeyes routed UNLV 54-21 to stay put. Next up Ohio State is at Rutgers Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on BTN2.

4. Michigan 1-0 4-0 130 East

The Wolverines upended Purdue 28-10 last weekend to stay put. Next up Michigan hosts Michigan State at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 7.

5. Minnesota 0-0 3-0 121 West

Minnesota was Idle last weekend and still moves up a spot. Next up Minnesota hosts Maryland Saturday at 11:00 a.m. on FS1.

6. Iowa 0-1 3-1 121 West

Despite falling to Penn State on a last second play Saturday, Iowa moves up three spots this week. Next up the Hawkeyes are at Michigan State Saturday at 3:00 p.m. on FOX.

7. Indiana 0-1 2-1 120 East

Indiana’s large 52-17 win over Georgia Southern moves the Hoosiers up four spots this week. Next up the Hoosiers are at Penn State Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on BTN2.

8. Northwestern 0-0 2-1 119 West

Despite being Idle last weekend Northwestern moves up a couple of spots this week. Next up Northwestern is at Wisconsin Saturday at 11:00 a.m. on ABC.

9. Purdue 0-1 2-2 118 West

Purdue’s 28-10 loss to Michigan drops the Boilermakers two spots this week. Next up Purdue hosts Minnesota Oct. 7 at 2:30 p.m.

10. Maryland 0-0 2-1 117 East

Maryland’s 38-10 loss to Central Florida drops the Terrapins five spots this week. Next up Maryland plays at Minnesota Saturday at 11:00 a.m. on FS1.

11. Michigan State 0-0 2-1 117 East

Michigan State’s 38-18 loss to Notre Dame last weekend drops the Spartans three spots this week. Next up the Spartans host Iowa Saturday at 3:00 p.m. on FOX

12. Nebraska 1-0 2-2 117 West

Despite knocking off Rutgers 27-17 last weekend, the Huskers stay put this week. Next up Nebraska is at Illinois Friday at 7:00 p.m. on FS1.

13. Rutgers 0-1 1-3 111 East

Although they fell to Nebraska 27-17 last weekend Rutgers stays put this week. Next up the Scarlet Knights host Ohio State Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on BTN2.

14. Illinois 0-0 2-1 111 West

The Illini stays put after an open week last weekend. Next up Illinois hosts Nebraska Friday at 7:00 p.m. on FS1.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports