Week 5 B1G Power Rankings

O, the irony. (HT: MGoBlog)

Power Rank	Bowl/ Opponent	Pre	Wk 1	Wk 2	Wk 3	Wk 4	Wk 5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
1	At Large At Large							-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
2	Capital One SEC							-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
3	Outback SEC							-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
4	TBD							-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
5	TBD							-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
6	TBD							-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
7	TBD							-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
8	TBD							-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
9	TBD							-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Rankings are determined before each week's games.

The upper crust
We have some movement at the top for the first time in weeks thanks to Nebraska's impressive win over Illinois last week (yes, I realize Illinois stinks). Their game this week in East Lansing against MSU is easily the biggest matchup in the league so far this season…might be the game of the year and a preview of the championship game in Indy.

Wisconsin and Ohio State seem like they belong in their respective spots, but both teams still have a lot to prove to be considered the leaders of the B1G. Not to outdone by Neb-MSU, Ohio State's matchup against Maryland in College Park will be required viewing for the noon timeslot.

The contenders
The conference schedule is just getting rolling, but a few teams are completely throwing me. Penn State, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota and Northwestern all seem like they could go either way depending on what side of the bed they wake up on that day. No real consistency there.

Everyone else
Ah, yes…the cellar-dwellers. Michigan, Illinois, Purdue…I don't know guys. All due respect to the Illini and Boilers, but if they miss a bowl game, no one's going to be surprised. If Michigan doesn't creep back up these rankings, and soon, the tire fire in Ann Arbor will soon be out of control.

I will say this though about Michigan. Sometimes, there's just something about a crisis that can draw a team together and help them focus. Make no mistake, Camelot is burning, and that could either illicit a positive or negative response from the players on the field. Can Michigan rally to save their coach? Is he gone no matter what? Let's just say this could be a very interesting weekend.