Big Ten Football Power Poll - Week 2

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. Well...maybe not the Rutgers guys who think we are the 11th best team in the Big Ten... Check out the Rutgers Blog www.SalSoothsayer and another blog covering the whole conference, www.talking10.com.

Here is the poll after week 2:

Big Ten East

1. Michigan State

The Spartans looked great for about two and a half quarters in Eugene....then things went south in a hurry.  However, its fairly obvious MSU is the best team in the east, and probably the conference.  I'll go out on a limb and say they don't leave this spot all year. Enjoy your week off Spartan Fans.

2. Ohio State

The Buckeyes didn't play their best game of the year against the Hokies of Virginia Tech.  That loss will be one they will be regretting in December when the bowls are handed out.  But still, they showed up, which is better then several of the teams behind them.  Kent State should pose no real threat...but yet we have seen what the rest of the Big Ten has done against teams they should beat handily.

3. Penn State

The Nittany Lions jump up a spot as much as for other teams failures as their own successes.  Now that they are bowl eligible once again, lets see if the added pressure on them will change anything.  They open Big Ten play against Rutgers this Saturday where we will get a better gauge of both teams.

4. Michigan

That was....yuck.  So much for the history of the rivalry against Notre Dame.  If they struggle at home this Saturday against Miami, Ohio...expect them to fall even further.

5. Maryland

2-0 is good even if it hasn't been the most significant opponents.  We will see how good the Terps really are as West Virginia comes to town this weekend.

6. Rutgers

See Maryland write up above.  2-0 is 2-0.  Now lets see how you handle the Big Ten this week.  Win and you will shoot up the list.  Lose  and you can stay here or go back to the cellar.

7. Indiana

You took a week off.  You fall down the list if others do enough to move up.  Win at Bowling Green and you will jump up again.

Big Ten West

1. Wisconsin

Yeah...this is kind of by default.  But it looks like Wisconsin may have finally figured some things out in the second half of their game against Western Illinois.  But if there was someone making a better argument for this spot, they probably would have it.  A week off will be interesting, as with a decent win by a couple of the teams behind, they will probably move up and move the Badgers down.

2. Minnesota

I'm sure some people will complain that the Gophers aren't #1.  Some will say I'm crazy to have them above a couple of teams.  But this poll is a snapshot of right now, not future plans.  The Gophers beat both teams they should have handily enough to deserve this spot, something teams below them have not earned.  Beat TCU, and #1 next week is theirs.  Lose a close one, and not much may change.  Get blown out, and who knows how far they may slide.

3. Nebraska

Want to be higher?  Don't get a miracle touchdown run to beat an FCS team in Memorial Stadium.  That did not impress the voters.  But a good win at Fresno State this Saturday will help move back up the list.

4. Iowa

Almost lose to Ball State at home....slide down the rankings.  But they did pull it out.  This week against Iowa State in the game for one of the ugliest trophies ever will be big for future rankings.

5. Illinois

Again 2-0 is 2-0.  Though not pulling away until the very end at home against Western Kentucky is does not favor enthusiasm.   Big game this wee against Washington.  Big win and move on up.  Loss and stay down where you deserve.

6. Purdue

Can we actually make this 7 A and 7 B.  Someone had to be 6, and you really don't deserve it Purdue. You thought Notre Dame beat Michigan badly.....this could be really ugly.

7. Northwestern

Oh Northwestern.....I can't believe you let Purdue get ahead of you.  The Badgers killed Western Illinois, so you better make it at least respectable.

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  NC

2. Ohio State         +1

3. Wisconsin       +1

4. Penn State       +3

5. Minnesota        +3

6. Nebraska         -4

7. Iowa                 -1

8. Michigan         -3

9. Maryland        NC

10. Rutgers        +2

11. Illinois          NC

12. Indiana        -2

13. Purdue         +1

14. Northwestern    -1

So some definite changes.  This week has several games that could move things around once again.  The lesson here?  Don't almost lose at home to teams you should easily beat.  This week we will see if Minnesota can earn its high spot, if Nebraska can bounce back, if Iowa can play well in a rivalry game, and if Northwestern can just play well.

Arguments?  Likes?  Dislikes?  Think I am an idiot?  Tell me in the comments!