Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller's injury changed things in the Big Ten. The biggest change: It made Michigan State, not the Buckeyes, the team to beat, and so far, the Spartans have lived up to billing. The West Division race was thought to be a jumbled mess, and it is. Nebraska looks to be the best team, but that race is going to go to the last weekend.
1. Michigan State (4-1, 1-0)
Up next: at Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 11
The skinny: Michigan State is the most complete team in the league and, frankly, shouldn't be tested by anyone left on the schedule except Ohio State.
2. Ohio State (4-1, 1-0)
Up next: vs. Rutgers, Saturday, Oct. 18
The skinny: The offense has made vast strides of late under redshirt freshman QB J.T. Barrett.
3. Nebraska (5-1, 1-1)
Up next: at Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 18
The skinny: TB Ameer Abdullah has been ultra-productive behind a better-than-expected offensive line, and the Huskers -- right now, at least -- look to be the best team in the West Division.
4. Iowa (4-1, 1-0)
Up next: vs. Indiana, Saturday, Oct. 11
The skinny: Neither line has been as good as it should be and playing two quarterbacks seems a risky proposition, but, man, the schedule really isn't that difficult until the end.
5. Northwestern (3-2, 2-0)
Up next: at Minnesota, Saturday, Oct. 11
The skinny: The Wildcats looked to be dead in the water in mid-September, but all of a sudden, they're in the hunt for the West Division title.
6. Wisconsin (3-2, 0-1)
Up next: vs. Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 11
The skinny:RB Melvin Gordon is awesome, but the passing attack is pitiful.
7. Minnesota (4-1, 1-0)
Up next: vs. Northwestern, Saturday, Oct. 11
The skinny: The Gophers can run the ball and they play OK defense, but the lack of a passing attack is going to catch up to them eventually.
8. Penn State (4-1, 1-1)
Up next: at Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 11
The skinny: The running game and the offensive line have been disaster areas. The defense, for the most part, has held up, though.
9. Maryland (4-2, 1-1)
Up next: vs. Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 18
The skinny: The defense has been a disappointment. The good news is that there aren't many high-powered offenses left on the schedule.
10. Rutgers (5-1, 1-1)
Up next: at Ohio State, Saturday, Oct. 18
The skinny: Raise your hand if you thought Rutgers would be one win away from bowl eligibility after six games.
11. Indiana (3-2, 0-1)
Up next: at Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 11
The skinny: As usual, the offense is prolific and fun to watch. And, as usual, the defense is hide-your-eyes bad.
12. Michigan (2-4, 0-2)
Up next: vs. Penn State, Saturday, Oct. 11
The skinny: This is the season from hell in Ann Arbor. (But folks in Columbus and East Lansing, among other places, sure are enjoying it.)
13. Purdue (3-3, 1-1)
Up next: vs. Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 11
The skinny: A quarterback change paid off the Boilermakers. Then again, the opponent was Illinois, so ...
14. Illinois (3-3, 0-2)
Up next: at Wisconsin, Saturday, Oct. 11
The skinny: Your kid's Pop Warner team could score on the Illini's "defense." And QB Wes Lunt's injury hurts the offense.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
