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As we near the final weeks of the season, we begin to figure out where everyone belongs in the Big Ten. But with two matchups involving contenders this weekend, there’s still plenty of room to change that. Here’s how we see things stacking up.
1
Michigan Wolverines
RECORD: 8-0
WEEK 10: vs. Maryland
AVERAGE RANK: 1.0
After reclaiming their state, the Wolverines came in at No. 3 in the first College Football Playoff rankings.
WEEK 10: vs. Maryland
AVERAGE RANK: 1.0
| Zach Pereles | 1 | Zach Wingrove | 1 |
| Josh Burton | 1 | Sam Brief | 1 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 1 | Rob Schaefer | 1 |
| Henry DaMour | 1 | Caleb Friedman | 1 |
2
Ohio State Buckeyes
RECORD: 7-1
WEEK 10: vs. No. 9 Nebraska
AVERAGE RANK: 2.0
After squeaking by Northwestern, Ohio State can really open up the West by beating Nebraska.
WEEK 10: vs. No. 9 Nebraska
AVERAGE RANK: 2.0
| Zach Pereles | 2 | Zach Wingrove | 2 |
| Josh Burton | 2 | Sam Brief | 2 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 2 | Rob Schaefer | 2 |
| Henry DaMour | 2 | Caleb Friedman | 2 |
3
Wisconsin Badgers
RECORD: 6-2
WEEK 10: at Northwestern
AVERAGE RANK: 3.0
The Badgers haven't won in Evanston this millennium. You've been warned.
WEEK 10: at Northwestern
AVERAGE RANK: 3.0
| Zach Pereles | 3 | Zach Wingrove | 3 |
| Josh Burton | 3 | Sam Brief | 3 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 3 | Rob Schaefer | 3 |
| Henry DaMour | 3 | Caleb Friedman | 3 |
4
Nebraska Cornhuskers
RECORD: 7-1
WEEK 10: at No. 6 Ohio State
AVERAGE RANK: 4.0
After a heartbreaking loss, the Huskers must regroup quickly ahead of a trip to Columbus.
WEEK 10: at No. 6 Ohio State
AVERAGE RANK: 4.0
| Zach Pereles | 4 | Zach Wingrove | 4 |
| Josh Burton | 4 | Sam Brief | 4 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 4 | Rob Schaefer | 4 |
| Henry DaMour | 4 | Caleb Friedman | 4 |
T-5
Northwestern Wildcats
RECORD: 4-4
WEEK 10: vs. No. 8 Wisconsin
AVERAGE RANK: 5.5
The Wildcats are still major players in the West if things play out in their favor.
WEEK 10: vs. No. 8 Wisconsin
AVERAGE RANK: 5.5
| Zach Pereles | 6 | Zach Wingrove | 5 |
| Josh Burton | 5 | Sam Brief | 5 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 6 | Rob Schaefer | 6 |
| Henry DaMour | 6 | Caleb Friedman | 5 |
T-5
Penn State Nittany Lions
RECORD: 6-2
WEEK 10: vs. Iowa
AVERAGE RANK: 5.5
Penn State's climb has been stunning. A 10-2 finish isn't out of the question by any stretch.
WEEK 10: vs. Iowa
AVERAGE RANK: 5.5
| Zach Pereles | 5 | Zach Wingrove | 6 |
| Josh Burton | 6 | Sam Brief | 6 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 5 | Rob Schaefer | 5 |
| Henry DaMour | 5 | Caleb Friedman | 6 |
7
Iowa Hawkeyes
RECORD: 5-3
WEEK 10: at No. 20 Penn State
AVERAGE RANK: 7.0
Hawkeye fans hope a bye week has fixed the offense... And the defense... And, well, everything.
WEEK 10: at No. 20 Penn State
AVERAGE RANK: 7.0
| Zach Pereles | 7 | Zach Wingrove | 7 |
| Josh Burton | 7 | Sam Brief | 7 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 7 | Rob Schaefer | 7 |
| Henry DaMour | 7 | Caleb Friedman | 7 |
8
Indiana Hoosiers
RECORD: 4-4
WEEK 10: at Rutgers
AVERAGE RANK: 8.375
The Hoosiers responded from a sluggish showing versus Northwestern to win a highly entertaining game against Maryland.
WEEK 10: at Rutgers
AVERAGE RANK: 8.375
| Zach Pereles | 9 | Zach Wingrove | 8 |
| Josh Burton | 8 | Sam Brief | 8 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 9 | Rob Schaefer | 8 |
| Henry DaMour | 9 | Caleb Friedman | 8 |
9
Minnesota Golden Gophers
RECORD: 6-2
WEEK 10: vs. Purdue
AVERAGE RANK: 8.625
The Gophers are not as good as their record says... Still, it's a mighty impressive record.
WEEK 10: vs. Purdue
AVERAGE RANK: 8.625
| Zach Pereles | 8 | Zach Wingrove | 9 |
| Josh Burton | 9 | Sam Brief | 9 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 8 | Rob Schaefer | 9 |
| Henry DaMour | 8 | Caleb Friedman | 9 |
10
Maryland Terrapins
RECORD: 5-3
WEEK 10: at No. 2 Michigan
AVERAGE RANK: 10.125
Maryland will give you fits with a high-flying offense. D.J. Durkin has the Terps moving in the right direction.WEEK 10: at No. 2 Michigan
AVERAGE RANK: 10.125
| Zach Pereles | 10 | Zach Wingrove | 10 |
| Josh Burton | 10 | Sam Brief | 10 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 10 | Rob Schaefer | 11 |
| Henry DaMour | 10 | Caleb Friedman | 10 |
11
Michigan State Spartans
RECORD: 2-6
WEEK 10: at Illinois
AVERAGE RANK: 10.875
The little brother continues to get more little (littler?).WEEK 10: at Illinois
AVERAGE RANK: 10.875
| Zach Pereles | 11 | Zach Wingrove | 11 |
| Josh Burton | 11 | Sam Brief | 11 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 11 | Rob Schaefer | 10 |
| Henry DaMour | 11 | Caleb Friedman | 11 |
12
Purdue Boilermakers
RECORD: 3-5
WEEK 10: at Minnesota
AVERAGE RANK: 12.0
Gerad Parker has the Boilermakers playing hard, even if only for one half. Progress!
WEEK 10: at Minnesota
AVERAGE RANK: 12.0
| Zach Pereles | 12 | Zach Wingrove | 12 |
| Josh Burton | 12 | Sam Brief | 12 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 12 | Rob Schaefer | 12 |
| Henry DaMour | 12 | Caleb Friedman | 12 |
13
Illinois Fighting Illini
RECORD: 2-6
WEEK 10: vs. Michigan State
AVERAGE RANK: 13.25/span>
This week in Lovie Smith news: A report called him "miserable" in Champaign. We would be, too.
WEEK 10: vs. Michigan State
AVERAGE RANK: 13.25/span>
| Zach Pereles | 13 | Zach Wingrove | 13 |
| Josh Burton | 14 | Sam Brief | 13 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 14 | Rob Schaefer | 13 |
| Henry DaMour | 13 | Caleb Friedman | 13 |
14
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
RECORD: 2-6
WEEK 10: vs. Indiana
AVERAGE RANK: 13.75
Rutgers *sigh*
WEEK 10: vs. Indiana
AVERAGE RANK: 13.75
| Zach Pereles | 14 | Zach Wingrove | 14 |
| Josh Burton | 13 | Sam Brief | 14 |
| Josh Rosenblat | 13 | Rob Schaefer | 14 |
| Henry DaMour | 14 | Caleb Friedman | 14 |