Big Ten Football Power Poll--Week One

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 With out any further delay, I bring you the Preseason Version, of the Big Ten Power Poll.

Big Ten East

1. Ohio State (Previously #1)

It looked for about 30 minutes like this might change.....and then the second half happened.  Yeah, Ohio State isn't leaving this spot for a very long time...

2. Michigan State (Previously #2)

The Spartans yawned through their game at Western Michigan last weekend and have no challengers for this spot.  That may change after their huge game at home against Oregon Saturday night.

3. Rutgers (Previously #5)

Well...they won, which is more than most of the rest of their divisional foes can say.  But yeah, it doesn't say much about the East after the top two spots if they are here does it.

4. Maryland (Previously #6)

Umm....yeah I don't have much to say here.  They beat a crappy team. Lets see if they can keep doing it in the future..

5.Michigan (Previous #4)

Michigan lost their opener to Utah, but it wasn't as ugly as it could have been. But Michigan will need to hope the good Jake Ruddock shows up soon.  They should win Harbaugh's first game this Saturday in the Big House against Gary Andersen's Oregon State team, but weirder things have happened.

6.Penn State (Previously #3)

Losing to Temple for the first time since before Pearl Harbor is not a good sign of things to come.  Christian Hackenberg may be a good quarterback, but if he has zero time to look for a receiver....it doesn't matter.

7.Indiana (previous #7)

Barely beating a FCS school by one point at home is not a great start to the season.  Couple that with the multiple suspensions and yeah, it could be a rough year for the Hoosiers.

Big Ten West

1. Wisconsin (Previously #1)

Wisconsin did about as much as expected against Alabama last Saturday night, but with the injuries they suffered, it might be tough to stay here for long

2. Minnesota (Previously #2)

The Gophers had a chance for the upset last week, but couldn't put it all together when it counted.  They don't have an easy task this week going to Colorado State with a fairly banged up team.  If the Gophers fall, it will most likely be the injuries that cost them.

3.Nebraska (Previously #3)

Welcome to the Big Ten Mike Riley. The Hail Joseph Smith was probably not what he had hoped for his Memorial Stadium opener, but here we are.  The Huskers did look decent in the second half though, so there is a lot of hope going forward.

4. Northwestern (Previously #5)

It was a nice win for the Wildcats over a ranked Stanford team last Saturday.  The question will be if it was a one time thing, or if Northwestern has something going here.  I'll need to see more before I can have them leap over one of the top three in the division.

5. Iowa (Previously #4)

Tough luck for the Hawkeyes who took care of business at home against Illinois State and dropped a spot.  They have Iowa State this Saturday in a game that always gets weird, and I expect nothing less.

6. Illinois (previously #6)

Beating up on Kent State should at least make Minnesota feel good about their game in a week and a half.  The Illini took out their Beckman aggression on the Golden Flashes, but only time will tell if they can continue it through the year.

7. Purdue

Oh Purdue.  You looked like you had a nice win in hand and then Austin Appleby started throwing to the wrong team again.  Sounds familiar doesn't it.

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. Ohio State (Previously #1)

2. Michigan State (#2)

3. Wisconsin (#3)

4.Minnesota (#4)

5. Nebraska (#5)

6. Northwestern (#9)

7. Iowa (#7)

8.Rutgers (#10)

9.Maryland (#11)

10.Michigan (#8)

11. Illinois (#13)

12.Penn State (#6)

13.Purdue (#14)

14.Indiana (#12)

Even though the West teams lost a lot, they didn't drop much if at all.  it was really a poor showing for the bottom of the east.  A few games will go a long way this week to determining how teams do with  Minnesota at Colorado State, Oregon at Michigan State, Washington State at Rutgers, and Iowa at Iowa State.

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