| B1G Rank | Bowl | This Week (Week 5) | Previous Week (Week 4) |
| 1st | 
vs Pac-12 #1
|  | |
| 2nd | 
vs SEC #2
|  | |
| 3rd | 
vs SEC #4
|  | |
| 4th | 
vs Big 12 #4
|  | |
| 5th | 
vs SEC #6
|  | |
| 6th | 
vs Big 12 #6
|  |  |
| 7th | 
vs Conf-USA #4
|  | |
| 8th | 
vs MAC #1
|  | |
1. Ohio State (5-0): It was closer than I thought it would be, but Ohio State dismissed Wisconsin from the horseshoe Saturday night with a 31-24 victory. It was ugly at times, though, as OSU's defense struggled to contain Wisconsin's prolific WR Jared Abbrederis. The loss of captain Christian Bryant will impact the OSU secondary. But Braxton Miller looked sharp as the OSU offense rolled. Another huge test for the Buckeyes this week as they travel to Northwestern for the biggest game in NU history. Should be fun to watch.
2. Wisconsin (3-2, 1-1): They kept it close in a very hostile environment but the Buckeye offense proved to be too much. I like the resilience of the Badger offense, though, and I think they'll remain in the Leaders division picture if Ohio State stumbles down the stretch. Wisconsin is off this week with a chance to regroup after the tough loss on the road.
3. Northwestern (4-0): Bye in week 5. Huge game this week as Ohio State (and College Gameday) roll into town for the primetime game of the week. All eyes will be on QBs Trevor Siemian and Cain Coulter as the Ohio State secondary looked suspect in their win over Wisconsin. NU will look to exploit the loss of OSU safety Christian Bryant.
4. Nebraska (3-1): Bye in week 5. They host Illinois this week in what could be an interesting matchup and a struggle for the Husker defense.
5. Penn State (3-1): Bye in week 5. The Nittany Lions travel to Bloomington in what should be a successful trip.
6. Michigan (4-0): Bye in week 5. Many question marks remain for this 4-0 squad, mainly along the offensive line. Michigan boasts a stout defense that could welcome back Jake Ryan as early as next week. The key for UM is ball protection and shoring up the interior offensive line. Those two things will make Devin Gardner's troubles magically disappear.
7. Illinois (3-1): Illinois did exactly what they needed to do in their 50-14 win over Miami of Ohio. Nathan Scheelhaase once again looked to be in full control of the Illini offense.
8. Michigan State (3-1): Bye in week 5. Upstart Iowa will be pumped up after their road win against Minnesota, but Michigan State will be fresh off the bye week ready to rebound from the loss to Notre Dame in week 4. Questions abound for the Spartans offense, but the defense is easily the best in the Big Ten. And I think it's probably good enough to win them some games, like this one.
9. Iowa (4-1, 1-0): I was very surprised the Hawkeyes were able to knock off Minnesota on to the road last week. Another Legends division test awaits this week as Michigan State comes to town. I do think the win last week was a fluke, and Iowa has much deeper issues, but a win is a win and Iowa is 4-1.
10. Minnesota (4-1, 0-1): Tough loss to Iowa last week. It doesn't get any easier traveling to Ann Arbor for the battle of the Little Brown Jug. Michigan has a lot to prove, as do the Gophers, so we'll see who can do a better job doing so this weekend.
11. Indiana (2-2): Bye in week 5. Indiana's offense has had their moments early in the season, but I think it's time to for the Hoosiers to come back down to reality. Big Ten season is here and that's never a good thing for Indiana. The good news is that basketball season is almost here.
12. Purdue (1-4, 0-1): Rough start for new head coach Darrell Hazell. Two losses to MAC schools is not how any Big Ten team should start the season. Purdue has a bye this week to hopefully get back on the right track. It's going to be tough.
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