As a member of the "working media" we get requests to help out other "media" in their articles and pursuits. Then sometimes we get to steal their ideas and content for our own gain. Thus, we bring you the Big Ten Power Poll!
I am a voting member in two power polls this season on other websites. If you want to compare my votes to other "writers" from around the Big Ten, I'm sure they would love a click as well. Check out the Rutgers Blog www.SalSoothsayer and another blog covering the whole conference, www.talking10.com.
Here is the poll after week 9:
Big Ten East
1. Michigan State
Looks like I may have dropped the Spartans prematurely last week. Oops.
2. Ohio State
Well...that was unexpected. The Buckeyes won, but it sounds like if the Big Ten Refs didn't Pac 12 Ref PSU would have got the win.
3.Maryland
Well...Wisconsin shellacked the Terps. Its a steep drop between 1 and 2 and the rest.
4. Rutgers
They was a ugly loss to Ohio State Nebraska. But no one else really wants this spot so...
5. Penn State
One can argue I did not reward PSU enough for almost beating Ohio State. I think it was a fluke game though. Hell they lost to Michigan earlier in the year...
6. Michigan
At least you are not Indiana
7. Indiana
Crap...you are Indiana.
Big Ten West
1. Nebraska
To think I was thinking about Minnesota here a week ago....
2.Wisconsin
The Badgers are heating up at the right time. Crap.
3. Iowa
Yeah this is probably overreaction from last week, but I'd rather the Gophers earn the spot back in a week and a half.
4. Minnesota
Lets just not discuss it...ok
5.Purdue
The Boilermakers will have to show continued improvement to stay here another week.
6.Northwestern
Can NW get back to where they were a few weeks ago? Guess we will see.
7. Illinois
Win a game and still sit on the bottom? Yeah...still not impressed. That actually makes it worse.
Overall
In case you are a pre-divisions purist, and want to see how teams stack up overall, here is my overall Top 14:
1. Michigan State +1
2. Nebraska +1
3. Ohio State -2
4. Wisconsin +1
5. Maryland +1
6. Iowa +1
7. Rutgers +1
8. Minnesota -4
9. Penn State +3
10. Purdue -1
11. Northwestern -1
12. Illinois +2
13. Michigan -2
14. Indiana -1
its probably more frustration than anything but I dropped the Gophers like a rock. They have an argument to anywhere between #5 and #8. There is a huge gap between the top four and the next four, and then the middle four and the last six I think.
Arguments? Likes? Dislikes? Think I am an idiot? Tell me in the comments!