Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon earns top spot with big win over Ohio State

Ohio State went to Oregon looking to prove it was the big shot of the conference. Instead, the Buckeyes ’ pass defense turned into Big Foot – hard to find.

With the win, the plucky Ducks move to the top of the board. OSU drops two spots, barely behind Penn State. Slot the rest of the conference any way you want and you wouldn’t be wrong. Good or bad parity? You make the call.

1. Oregon (6-0)

Last week: 3.

This week: at Purdue (Friday)

What to know: Ducks fans “Shout” out, ‘See ya, Buckeyes.’ Oregon deserves its lofty perch after exposing Ohio State’s pass defense and outplaying OSU across the board.

2. Penn State (6-0)

Last week: 2

This week: idle

What to know: The Nittany Lions went to Hollywood and again proved that USC’s defense is a bad actor.

3. Ohio State (5-1)

Last week: 1

This week: idle

What to know: Ryan Day is 2-7 against top-five teams after losing for the first time to a Big Ten school not named Michigan.

4. Indiana (6-0)

Last week: 4

This week: vs. Nebraska

What to know: With Nebraska coming to town, we’re about to discover if the Hoosiers are the real deal or a 3-high card fold hand.

5. Iowa (4-2)

Last week: 8

This week: at Michigan State

What to know: Old thinking: Can’t win if you can’t pass. New: Who needs to pass when you have Kaleb Johnson and a stout defense?

6. Nebraska (5-1)

Last week: 6

This week: at Indiana

What to know: In the race for B1G coach of the year, Matt Rhule takes his candidacy to Bloomington to debate IU coach Curt Cignetti on the field.

7. Illinois (5-1)

Last week: 5

This week: vs. Michigan

What to know : Automatic points deduction for escaping Purdue in overtime. Add a few back for managing to win.

8. Michigan (4-2)

Last week: 10

This week: at Illinois

What to know: The Wolverines remain a surprise, in the wrong way. Just when you think they’re not very good, they turn out to be worse.

9. Minnesota (4-3)

Last week: 11

This week: idle

What to know: The hot seat feels cooler for coach P.J. Fleck. And he gets a week off to enjoy it.

10. Wisconsin (4-2)

Last week: 13

This week: at Northwestern

What to know: The Badgers appear to be finding some mojo, but with Oregon, Penn State and Iowa still on the schedule, the positive vibe will be severely tested.

11. Rutgers (4-2)

Last week: 7

This week: vs. UCLA

What to know: The Scarlet Knights are falling faster than autumn leaves. Or if wine is your thing, they’re dying on the vine.

12. USC (3-3)

Last week: 12

This week: at Maryland

What to know: The Men of Troy are not exactly putting a scare into the men of pretty much any other team. How the once mighty have fallen.

13. Washington (4-3)

Last week: 9

This week: idle

What to know: Good: UDub owns the top-rated pass efficiency defense in FBS. Bad: What’s a run? The Huskies act like they’ve never seen one. Or stopped one.

14. Michigan State (3-3)

Last week: 14

This week: vs. Iowa

What to know: Upset special: MSU stacks the box against the Hawkeyes and unwraps a big present for the green and white.

15. Northwestern (3-3)

Last week: 16

This week: vs. Wisconsin

What to know: It’s not saying much to be within sniffing distance of the musty basement, but after thumping Maryland the smell is less putrid than a week ago

16. Maryland (3-3)

Last week: 15

This week: vs. USC

What to know: Makes sense the Terrapins are located near Capitol Hill, since they appear to be threatening a shutdown of their own.

17. Purdue (1-5)

Last week: 18

This week: vs. Oregon (Friday)

What to know: Playing Illinois to the wire is worth one small step for mankind.

18. UCLA (1-5)

Last week: 17

This week: at Rutgers

What to know: What was it Ricky Bobby said? If you’re not first, you’re last. Or in the Bruins’ case, if you’re not 17th, you’re last.

roller@dispatch.com

@rollerCD

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon earns top spot with big win over Ohio State