Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, September 10, 2017
There is no denying it: Penn State is the No. 1 team in my latest Big Ten Power Rankings, presented by ArcelorMittal. But keep an eye on Wisconsin, assuming it can get some consistent play in the passing game.
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Check out my full power poll below.
1. Penn State (2-0). Offense, defense, special teams ? it?s all clicking for the Nittany Lions. It's good to be James Franklin.
Last week: 2
Up next: Georgia State
2. Wisconsin (2-0). The Badgers have a future star in freshman RB Jonathan Taylor. This could be a special season in Madison.
Last week: 3
Up next: at BYU
3. Ohio State (1-1). The lopsided home loss to Oklahoma casts doubt on the season. What is the offensive identity? Is it a good time to panic?
Last week: 1
Up next: Army
4. Michigan (2-0). It took the Wolverines a while to subdue Cincinnati. This defense continues to impress.
Last week: 4
Up next: Air Force
5. Maryland (2-0). No Big Ten has been more impressive in the first two weeks than the Terrapins. Get DJ Durkin a pair of sunglasses.
Last week: 6
Up next: OFF; UCF, Sept. 23
6. Iowa (2-0). My advice to the Hawkeyes: keep getting the ball to Akrum Wadley. Good things happen.
Last week: 7
Up next: North Texas
7. Minnesota (2-0). The Gophers dominated Oregon State in the rain in Corvallis. Thank an opportunistic defense. And it looks like the Gophers have found a QB.
Last week: 10
Up next: Middle Tennessee
8. Michigan State (2-0). The Spartans? redemption tour continues. Have to like how the defense is playing. And Brian Lewerke is looking good, too.
Last week: 9
Up next: Off; Notre Dame, Sept. 23
9. Indiana (1-1). It looks like the Hoosiers have another option at quarterback in Peyton Ramsey, a nice dual-threat, if Tom Allen so chooses.
Last week: 11
Up next: FIU
10. Purdue (1-1). It looks like the Boilermakers hit the jackpot by hiring Jeff Brohm, who no doubt is maximizing the talent on hand. Kudos.
Last week: 12
Up next: at Missouri
11. Illinois (2-0). Yes, the Fighting Illini are 2-0! Two snaps up! And the defense looks like it has a lot of potential.
Last week: 14
Up next: at South Florida (Friday)
12. Nebraska (1-1). The defense is conjuring memories of those Bill Callahan defenses. And that?s not good.
Last week: 8
Up next: Northern Illinois
13. Northwestern (1-1). Questions persist in Evanston, especially along the offensive line. But know this: NU got off to a slow start last season, too. And things worked out OK.
Last week: 5
Up next: Bowling Green
14. Rutgers (0-2). The Scarlet Knights took a step back with an ugly home loss to ? Eastern Michigan? Let's hope this is the nadir.
Last week: 13
Up next: Morgan State