Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, November 11, 2015

Last Saturday was a big one for the Big Ten West, a division that often is maligned and perceived to be less-than when compared to an East division that features power/elite programs like Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State.

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But, as a fan mentioned in my latest Big Ten Mailbag, the West won four games vs. the East on Saturday, with Iowa beating Indiana; Northwestern topping Penn State; Nebraska beating Michigan State and Wisconsin clipping Maryland.

So now, the West has a 6-5 edge on the East in 2015 with three cross-divisional games left. Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa have won both of their cross-division games this season. Maryland and Minnesota have lost both of theirs.

Last year, the division split their 14 games, each going 7-7. Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin all went 2-0. Rutgers, Penn State and Purdue all went 0-2. Everyone else split.

Here is a look at each inter-divisional matchup of 2015.

EAST WINS (5)
Penn State 39, Illinois 0
Michigan 29, Minnesota 26
Ohio State 28, Minnesota 14
Michigan 38, Northwestern 0
Michigan State 24, Purdue 21

WEST WINS (6)
Nebraska 39, Michigan State 38
Iowa 31, Maryland 15
Iowa 35, Indiana 27
Wisconsin 31, Maryland 24
Wisconsin 48, Rutgers 10
Northwestern 23, Penn State 21

To be played
Ohio State at Illinois, Nov. 14
Nebraska at Rutgers, Nov. 14
Indiana at Purdue, Nov. 28

***

East or West, the Big Ten is looking better than any other conference in the nation. Don't believe me? Check out the latest College Football Playoff rankings, which has six Big Ten teams ranked, two more than any other conference.