The Big Ten went 10-2 in the opening week of football. The bottom couple teams are going to struggle all year but the majority of the conference looks like they've improved from last season and with some of the star studded talent the B1G is starting to get recognized as one of the best conferences in the league with stingy defenses and great rushing attacks, like they are typically known for.
12. Purdue (0-1)
After three turnovers and a junior varsity defensive performance they lost 42-7...to the Cincinnati Bearcats! Moving on...
11. Iowa (0-1)
Don't get it fooled, the Hawkeye's opponent has one one the best kept secrets in college football in quarterback Jordan Lynch. Despite that and hard hitting defense, Iowa lost its fundamentals on offense and defense, and quarterback Jake Rudock never looked like he had a firm grasp of the offense.
10. Illinois (1-0)
Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase put up great numbers throwing for 416 yards and two touchdowns. Besides that though Illinois looked like the 2-10 team that they were last year. A better test against Cincinnati Saturday will give us a better idea how much they've improved in any.
9. Minnesota (1-0)
The 51 points in the box score for the Gophers may have been more of a mirage then anything else. They scored on a defensive touchdown and special teams touchdown thanks to defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman. Take out Hageman from the lineup and this Minnesota team drastically lacks talent. One frightening stat is UNLV's 4-4 conversion rate on fourth down. If they don't fix some glaring needs soon teams will figure out the cheap tricks causing the mirage.
8. Indiana (1-0)
73 points is a great way to start your season. 19 returning starters gives way to plenty of optimism for the Hoosiers this season. The big question for them is has the defense improved as much as the offense? Or at least enough to get them to bowl eligibility?
7. Nebraska (1-0)
Victory or not the Cornhuskers left plenty to be desired after the game. They blew a big lead in the fourth quarter as their defense looked almost worst than last year (if that's possible). I love what the offense can do, but until the defense shows any signs of life I have no choice but to leave them towards the bottom of my rankings.
6. Michigan State (1-0)
Good news: That defense is one of the best in the nation from top to bottom. Bad news: That offense is one of the worst in the nation from top to bottom. Thats a recipe for a lot of close games similar to last year. Take that for what its worth.
5. Penn State (1-0)
I am enamored with what Bill O' Brien has done in his short time at Penn State. Starting with an over-acheiving 2012 season and following it up with grabbing the top quarterback recruit Christian Hackenberg. Hackenbeg certainly had his struggles in his first game against Syracuse, but there's no question this team is moving fast in the right direction.
4. Northwestern (1-0)
This team survived a tough road game in California 44-30 despite not playing with arguably their best two players in dual-threat quarterback Kain Colter and B1G 2012 rushing leader Venric Mark. They need to get those two healthy, but very encouraging seeing the quality depth they have incase they go down again.
3. Wisconsin (1-0)
Is there anymore consistent of a team than the Badgers? Every year they produce a phenomenal running game and a stout defense; both one of the best in the conference. This year will be no different. Let's not forget it's the Badgers who have won this conference three years running...
2. Michigan (1-0)
Brady Hoke has done miraculous when it comes to recruiting for big blue. Although they won't take the crown from Ohio State this year, they do have some of the youngest and richest talent around and will be a force to reckon with for years to come.
1. Ohio State (1-0)
I'm not going to lie; I expected a little bit more explosion from the Buckeyes in their home opener. After saying that, Buffalo's defense is stingier than most think and we should see the firework display that we expected last week this Saturday against San Diego State. Their defense will get a major boost by safety Christian Bryant returning from injury and cornerback Bradley Roby coming back from his one game suspension. Not fair.