Big Ten Power Rankings — Week 4

1. Penn State (4-0)

Exhale — thanks to Saquon Barkley and some late-game heroics from Trace McSorley, the Nittany Lions survived Kinnick Stadium.

2. Ohio State (3-1)

In reality, the Buckeyes, Badgers, or Wolverines could all be in this second spot, and you wouldn’t hear much of an argument from me one way or the other. Urban Meyer and Co. have three easy games coming up — @Rutgers, Maryland, and @Nebraska — that should give them time to work on their passing game before they host the Nittany Lions.

3. Wisconsin (3-0)

The Badgers were on a bye this week, but will be back next Saturday for a matchup with Northwestern.

4. Michigan (4-0)

With Wilton Speight having to leave the game with an injury, backup QB John O’Korn stepped up big time for the Wolverines, going 18-of-26 for 270 yards and one touchdown in Michigan’s 28-10 victory over Purdue.

5. Iowa (3-1)

Iowa was one play away from upsetting the No. 4 team in the land, and for that, they should be commended. The Hawkeyes sport a strong defense, and Akrum Wadley really might be the second best running back in the Big Ten after Saquon Barkley. Iowa proved itself as a legitimate contender in the Big Ten West.

6. Purdue (2-2)

Enough can’t be said about how impressive the Boilermakers looked on Saturday. Jeff Brohm has this team and program headed in the right direction, no doubt about it.

7. Indiana (2-1)

The Hoosiers dominated Georgia Southern, and will now hope to take advantage of what may be a potential letdown spot for Penn State.

8. Minnesota (3-0)

Minnesota was off this week, but the Golden Gophers will be hosting Maryland this Saturday.

9. Michigan State (2-1)

The Spartans gave the ball away one too many times, losing to Notre Dame 38-18. Iowa is next up for Sparty.

10. Maryland (2-1)

After losing QB Kasim Hill to an injury, Maryland’s offense was about as one-dimensional as an offense could be. Down to their third-string QB, the Terps couldn’t do much of anything, as UCF rolled to a 38-10 victory.

11. Northwestern (1-2)

It was a bye week for Pat Fitzgerald’s group. They’ll be traveling to Madison next week.

12. Nebraska (2-2)

Barely beating Rutgers isn’t a good thing.

13. Illinois (2-1)

Whatever.

14. Rutgers (1-3)

Double whatever.