The top and bottom are pretty much set, but it’s the middle that doesn’t want to play by anyone’s rules.
As a reminder, this isn’t a ranking of teams based on record, or place in the polls, but rather my assessment of how the teams are playing at the time. If two teams met on a neutral field and played 100 times, a team that wins 51 times gets ranked ahead of the team that wins 49 times.
Let’s see what we got this week, shall we?
1. Ohio State
OSU walloped Nebraska 48-7, and could have scored more but pulled the starters after going up 38-0 at the half.
2. Wisconsin
The Badgers struggled with Northwestern, and while I was tempted to move PSU to number 2, I think NW is just one of those teams. A one week blip isn’t enough to move Wisconsin.
3. Penn State
59-0. Nuff said.
4. Iowa
The Hawkeyes beat Middle Tennessee 48-3, which is about what you’d expect. Another workday for Iowa.
5. Michigan
Welcome back to the top 5 Michigan! A 52-0 drubbing of Rutgers will do that for you.
6. Michigan State
The Spartans showed that they can actually score by defeating Indiana 40-31. Not bad, but the Hoosiers aren’t exactly known for their stout defense.
7. Northwestern
Ladies and gentlemen, this is known as failing upward. The Wildcats gave Wisconsin a fight, and because of their tough loss, managed to move up the rankings.
8. Minnesota
So I’ve been skeptical of Minnesota, but they did just beat Purdue 38-31. Undefeated is undefeated!
9. Maryland
59-0. Nuff said.
10. Nebraska
While I thought about putting the Cornhuskers lower after THAT showing, the bottom of the conference is all just one jumble of not great teams.
11. Indiana
The Hoosiers put up a fight, but ultimately succumbed to the Spartans.
12. Purdue
The 38-31 loss to Minnesota hurts, but losing Rondale Moore hurts more.
13. Illinois
Bye week! But no movement in the rankings.
14. Rutgers
52-0 was enough for Rutgers to finally can Chris Ash! Maybe they’ll actually get a good coa-hahahahhaha sorry I couldn’t keep a straight face.
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for, your updated standings!
OSU at the top, then Wisconsin, though Penn State is right on their heels. Iowa holds steady, while Michigan and Michigan State climb the board. Northwestern managed to lose and move up, while I have to give some credit to Minnesota sooner or later. Maryland plummets, while Nebraska and Indiana both had losses. Purdue and Illinois. Rutgers.
Let’s see what week six brings us!