Big Ten power rankings after week 10: Michigan State goes down

Big Ten

When the dust settled on week 10 of the college football season, only six perfect teams remained: Ohio State, Iowa, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Houston and Clemson. Michigan State, LSU, Memphis and Toledo each dropped their first game of the season last week.

Iowa essentially has the Big Ten West wrapped up. They just have to win two of their last three games since they have the head to head tiebreaker against Wisconsin.

The Big Ten East will not be decided this week but the week after that will be critical. There are three teams that could still win the Big Ten East. Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan all have to win out in order to do it.

If Ohio State is undefeated going into "The Game" in the regular season finale and Michigan takes care of business against Indiana and Penn State, the Wolverines could win the Big Ten East by beating the Buckeyes.

Big Ten East

There are still three teams in the hunt for the Big Ten East title but it's disappointing that the Big Ten lost one of its undefeated teams. A showdown of undefeated teams between Michigan State and Ohio State would have given a huge boost to the winner and their college football playoff aspirations.

1) #2 Ohio State (9-0, 5-0)

This team still looks like last year's FSU Seminoles squad to me. They may very well head to the college football playoff undefeated but there's a reason that Clemson is ranked above them.

Up Next: at Illinois (5-4, 2-3)

2) #14 Michigan State (8-1, 4-1)

The controversial finish could have been avoided had Arjen Colquhoun just held onto what would have been an interception in the end zone. He didn't and the Spartans went down late to Nebraska. It's a huge blow to Michigan State's playoff chances but they still have a chance to get back in it. The Spartans will win the Big Ten East if they win out. The task before them is simple...win.

Up Next: Maryland (2-7, 0-5) at home

3) #15 Michigan (7-2, 4-1)

Michigan scored some style points with their 33-point win at home against Rutgers. If the Wolverines win out, they'll win the Big Ten East.

Up Next: at Indiana (4-5, 0-5)

4) Penn State (7-3, 4-2)

The Nittany Lions were down 20-7 at the half on the road in Evanston and came back to take the lead. Then Northwestern's Jack Mitchell booted a 35-yard field goal with nine seconds left. Christian Hackenberg did not look comfortable against a Wildcats defense that had the benefit of the bye week to rest and prepare for him.

Luckily for Penn State, they have a bye week of their own this week. They'll need it because Michigan comes to Happy Valley the week after that.

Up Next: Bye

5) Rutgers (3-6, 1-5)

Rutgers has had a rough go of it against the best teams in the Big Ten apart from Michigan State. They got pounded by Michigan on the road last week. Maybe the Scarlet Knights will be able to summon some magic that will stop the feisty and confident Cornhuskers.

Up Next: Nebraska (4-6, 2-4) at home

6) Indiana (4-5, 0-5)

Indiana struggled mightily against Penn State's defense and running game. How do you think they'll do against No. 15 Michigan this week?

Up Next: #15 Michigan (7-2, 4-1) at home

7) Maryland (2-7, 0-5)

Maryland lost by one score to Penn State, they by two scores on the road at Iowa and lost by one score last week to Wisconsin. The Terps are certainly playing better but the turnovers are killers. Maryland actually out-gained the Badgers in the game but lost because Wisconsin played better in all three phases of the game.

Michigan State is beatable but will the Terps be up to the task in East Lansing?

Up Next: at #14 Michigan State (8-1, 4-1)

Big Ten West

Iowa isn't exactly what you would call an exciting team. Neither is Wisconsin, but they win games. If Iowa wins two of their three remaining games (Minnesota, Purdue and Nebraska), they will win the Big Ten West.

1) #8 Iowa (9-0, 5-0)

Win and you're in. Iowa knows what they need to do and they are equipped to do it. The Hawkeyes should be undefeated when they go to Indianapolis.

Up Next: Minnesota (4-5, 1-4) at home

2) #23 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1)

The Badgers struggled to get past the Terps in College Park in wet and rainy conditions. They have a bye week to get rested and ready for Northwestern. The winner of that game will likely take second in the Big Ten West.

Up Next: Bye

3) #24 Northwestern (7-2, 3-2)

After blowing a 20-7 lead against Penn State, the Wildcats kicked a field goal in the last 10 seconds to come back and win. Purdue should be a much easier opponent.

Up Next: Purdue (2-7, 1-5) at home

4) Illinois (5-4, 2-3)

Illinois just fired their athletic director. Their head football coach was gone before the regular season started. Interim head coach Bill Cubit has Illinois just one win from bowl eligibility. He has done an amazing job with this team and he should be considered for the full-time job.

Up Next: #2 Ohio State (9-0, 5-0) at home

5) Nebraska (4-6, 2-4)

Mike Riley's luck had to get better sometime. Arjen Colquhoun dropped a potential game-winning interception, Nebraka upset a top-10 opponent at home and the Cornhuskers now have some of their swagger back. That was a potential job-saving win.

Up Next: at Rutgers (3-6, 1-5)

6) Minnesota (4-5, 1-4)

After their bye week, the Golden Gophers had to face Michigan and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks. Now they get Iowa. It is probably the toughest three game stretch in the conference this year. It has been an emotional roller coaster of a season for Minnesota but I don't see them beating the Hawkeyes this week.

Up Next: at #8 Iowa (9-0, 5-0)

7) Purdue (2-7, 1-4)

After beating Nebraska, what does Purdue do for an encore? They lay an absolute goose egg against Illinois. They couldn't stop Illinois' ground game. Something tells me they are going to have trouble with Northwestern's too.

Up Next: at #24 Northwestern (7-2, 3-2)