And down goes the giant. Penn State struck down the Buckeyes in week 8, and finally let the Wolverines jump to the top. OSU does still control its own destiny though. Here’s how I rank the Big Ten teams after seven weeks of play.

Big Ten East

#1 Michigan Wolverines (LW #2)

A drubbing of Illinois coupled with a Buckeye loss gets Michigan to the top spot. I bet they stay here until at least the week of The Game. Their trip to East Lansing this weekend looked a lot more daunting eight weeks ago.

#2 Ohio State Buckeyes (LW#1)

The Buckeyes had some flaws discovered in their loss to Penn State last Saturday night. Can other teams exploit them? I’m guessing no, unless they are Michigan. I’d hate to be Northwestern this weekend going into Columbus. Lots of rage to take out on the Wildcats.

#3 Penn State Nittany Lions (LW #4)

Well I don’t think many people actually thought they could do that. But here we are. That loss to PSU either doesn’t look as bad as it did or stings more. A trip to Purdue should keep the good times rolling for the Nittany Lions

#4 Indiana Hoosiers (LW #3)

Indiana is doing what Indiana does every year in looking great early and then faltering. I almost dropped them below Maryland here, but I’m giving them one more week. What do you know, Maryland comes to town to make my job easier next week.

#5 Maryland Terrapins (LW #5)

Maryland got the win they needed over Michigan State to have a good shot at being bowl eligible. Big for them. Can they keep it going in Bloomington Saturday?

#6 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (LW #7)

Rutgers might actiually have something on offense with the QB change. But have no doubt, this is not a good football team. They get a bye this week to figure more things out.

#7 Michigan State Spartans (LW #6)

This might be a bit of an overreaction, but what happened to Sparty. The bottom dropped and its not good. At 2-5 they need to beat two of Michigan, OSU and PSU to go bowling. Doesn’t look good.

Big Ten West

#1 Wisconsin Badgers (LW #1)

It was a bit tighter than they would have liked, but Wisconsin put away Iowa and stays on top. Huge game this weekend with Nebraska coming to town.

#2 Nebraska Cornhuskers (LW #2)

Nebraska got the win they needed against Purdue. Not pretty, but a win is a win...right Gophers? The battle for the Big Ten West runs through Madison this weekend in what looks to be a defacto title clash.

#3 Northwestern Wildcats (LW #3)

Northwestern picks up a nice win over a fading Indiana team, but gets to be rage fodder for Ohio State this week. That sucks.

#4 Iowa Hawkeyes (LW #4)

Iowa gave the Badgers a heck of a game, but it just wasn’t good enough. THey get the weekend off to think about what could have been

#5 Minnesota Gophers (LW # 5)

Well that was ugly. But a win is a win...right? Maybe? Its not really a must win, but it sure feels like one down in Chambana this weekend.

#6 Purdue Boilermakers (LW #6)

Purdue actually looked like a capable football team in giving Nebraska a game last Saturday. Can they do it again this weekend wth Penn State in town? We shall see.

#7 Illinois Fighting Illini (LW #6)

The Illini are down to their third string quarterback. That QB just happens to be named Jeff George, Jr. He’s going to carve up the Gophers Saturday just because...right?

My Rank 1-14

1. Michigan Wolverines (LW #2)
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (LW #1)
3. Wisconsin Badgers (LW #3)
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers (LW #4)
5. Penn State Nittany Lions (LW #7)
6. Northwestern Wildcats (LW #6)
7. Iowa Hawkeyes (LW #8)
8. Indiana Hoosiers (LW #5)
9. Minnesota Gophers (LW #9)
10. Maryland Terrapins (LW #10)
11. Purdue Boilermakers (LW #13)
12. Illinois Fighting Illini (LW # 12)
13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (LW #14)
14. Michigan State Spartans (LW #11)