Big Ten Football: Power Ranking the Conference Pass Catchers Going Into Week Six

As the Big Ten goes into week two of conference play, most of the offenses are clicking and the teams are finally starting to find their identity. The Big Ten has some of the top quarterbacks in the country, Denard Robinson, Terrell Pryor, Ben Chappell and Dan Persa, just to name a few.  Having this many great quarterbacks throwing the ball, leads to some great receivers.  

So let it be abracadabra, here is the power rankings for Pass Catchers going into week six.

James Evens is a Purdue student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, or like him on Facebook.

Number 10: Mark Dell

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 10: Mark Dell #2 of the Michigan State Spartans misses catching the ball against the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 10, 2009 at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Ill

Mark Dell the senior wide receiver for Michigan State, has so far compiled 16 receptions for 263 yards and a touchdown.  Dell is the leading receiver for the Spartans this season, and seems to be making somewhat of an impact, especially in their recent contest against Wisconsin, where he had 91 yards and a touchdown in their victory against the Badgers.

Look for Dell to have a big game this week as they are going up a Michigan defense who has struggled with pass protection as of late, for example, against Indiana last week.

Number Nine: Da'Jon McKnight

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Jon McKnight #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball into the endzone for a touchdown after catching a pass during the game against the USC Trojans on September 18, 2010 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minne

This Minnesota Gopher junior wide-out is having quite the season so far. He has caught 20 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns. The Gophers, who have been struggling so far this season, have had him as a bright spot to their not so great season so far. As the Gophers face Wisconsin this weekend, they will need McKnight to have a solid game.

Number Eight: Marvin McNutt

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 05: Marvin McNutt #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes fails to make a catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the FedEx Orange Bowl at Land Shark Stadium on January 5, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Iowa won 24-14. (Photo by

McNutt the six foot four inch junior wide receiver out of Iowa has made this year count. Through the first few games of the season he has compiled 15 catches for 275 yards and two touchdowns.  He is allowing the Hawkweyes to have that deep threat and consistent pass catcher to be good in the Big Ten.  Coming off a five catch 93 yard game against Penn State, expect McNutt to continue catching the ball, and have a big game against Michigan in two weeks.

Number Seven: Lance Kendricks

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Lance Kendricks #84 of the Wisconsin Badgers catches a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Da

The big athletic six foot four inch, 241 pound senior tight end for the Badgers has had quite the year so far.  He is currently the number one tight end in the nation statistical wise with 20 receptions, 316 yards, and three touchdown catches this season.

Going into a rivalry game for Paul Bunyan's ax against Minnesota, look for Kendricks to be a major contributor to the Wisconsin offense this week.

Number Six: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 14: Wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos #15 of the Iowa Hawkeyes tries to haul in a pass as he is defended by Chimdi Chekwa #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. Chekwa was calle

Johnson-Koulianos has been quite the weapon for Iowa this season.  The senior wide receiver has has racked up 21 receptions for 334 yards and four touch downs this season.  Iowa having one of the top ranked offenses in the nation realizes a lot on Koulianos to provide that spark they need to win games. Coming off a mediocre performance against Penn State, expect him to come off his by week next week and be a real threat against an already struggling Michigan secondary.

Number Five: MarQueis Gray

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MarQueis Gray the Minnesota Golden Gopher sophomore wide-out has definitely propelled himself to the top of the class of the elite wide receiver in the Big Ten. Gray has caught 24 passes for 336 yards and three touchdown catches.  Gray is a pivotal part of the Gopher's offense.  He provides them with the ability of a possession receiver, who is also very fast and has the ability to open it up deep.  Gray is reportedly dealing with some foot issues, but will surely play this weekend against Wisconsin.

Number Four: Roy Roundtree

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ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 21: Roy Roundtree #12 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 21, 2009 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ohio State won the game 21-10. (Photo by Gregory Sh

Roundtree the University of Michigan star sophomore wide-out, is having a phenomenal season. He has so far recorded 25 receptions for 337 yards and two touchdowns.  Coming off a top-notch performance over Indiana, recording 5 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown, Roundtree is looking to do a repeat when the Michigan State Spartans travel to face the Wolverines. For the Wolverines to be successful they need this big game receiver to come up big when they face their arch nemesis.

Number Three: Damarlo Belcher

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BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Ben Chappell #4 of the Indiana Hooisers passes the ball downfield during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Get

Belcher, the junior wide receiver from Indiana, is doing quite well this season for the Hoosiers.  He leads the Big Ten in receptions and has put up other stellar numbers.  He has caught 31 passes this season for 371 yards and three touchdowns. With the presence of possible All Big Ten quarterback, Chappell look for theses numbers to keep piling up as Belcher is Chappells favorite target.  Coming off a 10 reception game against Michigan, look for Belcher to try to answer Ohio State's pass defense, but he will be faced with difficulty, as they might be the best secondary in the country.

Number Two: Dane Sanzenbacher

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Dane Sanzenbacher #12 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs after catching a pass against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13. (Photo by Jonat

Sanzenbacher, the five foot eleven inch, Wes Welker like receiver for Ohio State has had career numbers this season.  He has recorded 23 receptions for 351 yards and six touchdown catches.  He is ranked number one in touchdown catches and it could be argued he should be the top of this ranking.  After a rough game against Illinois, recording only 35 yards and a touchdown catch, Look for Sanzenbacher to have a big game against the Hoosiers.  The Hoosiers have one of the worst defenses in the big ten, and expect him to get a lot of catches in the yearly slaughtering known as Indiana vs Ohio State.

Number One: Jeremy Ebert

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert #11 of the Northwestern Wildcats grabs a pass against the Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl January 1, 2010 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Ebert is a junior this season which is not good news for Big Ten fans, we have to deal with this guy for one more year, unless he is drafted in the 2011 New England Patriots Draft. Ebert has had a stellar year so far putting down great numbers.  He has caught 24 passes for 436 yards and five touchdowns.  After a crazy game against Minnesota that included seven catches for over 100 yards and a touchdown, look for Ebert to run over the Boilermakers secondary.  Purdue has arguably the worst secondary in the Big Ten, and it will be a field day for Ebert, unless Purdue can get pressure on the Dan Persa through Ryan Kerrigan.