So once again I’m back to doing a Big Ten Power Poll. Why? I have no idea. In this Covid season “power” really is a relative term. Wisconsin is #3 in the poll, but will they be there the next time they play a game? I have no idea. So this is literally a snapshot in time. Let’s just go with it.

Here is how I see both the East and West divisions breaking down and then at the bottom I’ll rank all 14 teams in one list.

Big Ten West:

#1 Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers looked great in killing Illinois last Friday night, and then they all got Covid. If Graham Mertz can look like he did last Friday when he returns to action, the Badger will be tough to beat the rest of the year. But will he? Thats the huge unanswerable question.

#2 Purdue Boilermakers

Is Purdue really the second best team in the west? After week one they are. Purdue overcame the lack of their head coach and got a big win over Iowa to move themselves into a pretty advantageous spot given their next few games—one of which against Wisconsin that may not happen.

#3 Northwestern Wildcats

Northwestern had the most impressive win on the week crushing Maryland. Is Northwestern really good? Is Maryland really that bad? A little of both? Only time will tell.

#4 Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa looked lightly less bad than the Gophers did, so they can take the #4 slot for this week.

#5 Minnesota Golden Gophers

It wasn’t a great opening game for the Gophers against Michigan. Will the defense find a way to figure things out? Maryland this week sure gives them a good chance to get back to a better place.

#6 Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois got smoked by Wisconsin last weekend. Are they better than Nebraska? I honestly don’t know.

#7 Nebraska Cornhuskers

Ohio State spanked them last week. As expected. And they couldn’t will the Big Ten hard enough to get a forfeit this week. Sucks to be them. Great for the rest of us.

Big Ten East

#1 Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes looked good beating up on Nebraska. How good that win will look will come out in the next few weeks.

#2 Michigan Wolverines

Michigan kicked the Gophers butts. Is their offense that good, or was the Gopher defense really that bad?

#3 Indiana Hoosiers

Huge win for Indiana in OT with the Michael Penix dive for the Pylon. Did he really get in? Penn State would say no...and they will be telling you no even if you don’t care for years to come.

#4 Penn State Nittany Lions

See #3. But PSU is still probably better then the three teams below here.

#5 Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Well I don’t know how many people saw that coming, but Rutgers went into East Lansing and got a big win in Greg Schiano’s return. Can they keep it going?

#6 Michigan State Spartans

Not a great start to the Mel Tucker era in East Lansing. Can they bounce back against the Wolverines this weekend?

#7 Maryland Terrapins

That was ugly. Hopefully it’s ugly again this weekend.

Rakings 1-14

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