(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
In the first edition of the Big Ten Power Rankings, the members of the Big Ten roundtable forecasted a situation where five teams would battle to the end for the Big Ten crown.
Those five teams—Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan State—now all find themselves in position to do just that.
The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes control their own destiny and are marching toward a showdown on Nov. 14 in the 'Shoe, but both teams must also face another member of this quintet first.
Ohio State must travel to Happy Valley to face the Nittany Lions and their brutal home crowd, and Iowa faces Michigan State this week in a game that could put the Spartans in the driver's seat if they can pull of the upset.
Penn State must beat the Buckeyes at home and then root for the Buckeyes to beat the Hawkeyes in Columbus to get back in control, while the Badgers need help from Iowa and Ohio State.
The Big Ten title race is heating up, but the race for bowl contention is just as interesting.
Northwestern and Indiana are in must win situations heading into their showdown in Evanston, Ill. this week. A loss for either team would be a serious blow to their bowl hopes.
Minnesota finds itself at 4-3 with games at Ohio State and Iowa, as well as a home date with Michigan State still remaining. Bowl eligibility will rely on wins against Illinois and South Dakota State.
Michigan is the wild card. Sitting at 1-2 in the conference, the Wolverines aren't out of the title race just yet. If Tate Forcier and company can upset the Nittany Lions in Ann Arbor this weekend, Rich Rodriguez's squad will be right back in the mix.
The B/R Big Ten Players of the Week:
Offensive Player of the Week: QB Ben Chappell, Indiana
Defensive Player of the Week: DE Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
Special Teams Player of the Week: K Carson Wiggs, Purdue
The 2009 roundtable members are J.A. Allen , Tim Bielik , Tim Cary , Bret Feddern , Kristofer Green , Ryan Jelley , Jordan Krumrey , Isaac Luber , Kevin Paul , and Kevin Trahan
On to the rankings...
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