Big Ten Power Ranking: Wisconsin, Iowa clawing back

Wisconsin's dominating performance on Saturday puts the Badgers in the driver's seat headed towards Indianapolis while a Michigan victory over the Spartans this weekend could vault the Wolverines ahead of Ohio State as we reveal our Big Ten power ranking.

Iowa K Mike Meyer (right) celebrates after kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime against the Spartans this past Saturday. (US Presswire)

Here's CBSSports.com's Rapid Reports Big Ten power ranking:

1. Ohio State (7-0): The Buckeyes barely escaped Bloomington with their 17th consecutive victory over Indiana late Saturday night but Braxton Miller bailed them out yet again. Gaudy numbers from some of Ohio State’s skill players, namely Devin Smith (106 yards receiving on two catches, two touchdowns) and running back Carlos Hyde (156 yards rushing), help keep the Buckeyes atop the rankings, for now. Last week’s ranking: 1. Next up: vs. Purdue, Saturday, noon ET (ABC).

2. Michigan (5-2): The Wolverines shut out Illinois 45-0 and put together their most complete performance of the year. As impressive as Denard Robinson’s 287 total yards and four touchdowns were, his play was overshadowed by the Michigan defense, which allowed 134 total yards. Linebackers Jake Ryan and  Desmond Morgan helped contain Illinois to 29 total passing yards. A win next week over the Spartans and Michigan may leapfrog Ohio State. Last week’s ranking: 2. Next up: vs. Michigan State, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).

3. Penn State (4-2): The Nittany Lions were idle this week and spent their bye week preparing for the stingy Iowa defense and the power running game of Mark Weisman. Who would've thought that Saturday night’s matchup against the Hawkeyes would be the conference's best game of the weekend? Last week’s ranking: 3. Next up. at Iowa, 8 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).

4. Wisconsin (5-2): The Badgers finally put together a complete game against Purdue last Saturday. The game had huge Leaders Division implications and Wisconsin showed up, racking up the second-most yards in school history (645), while the Boilermakers didn’t. Wisconsin now has three consecutive games where it should be favored before a Nov. 17 home game against Ohio State. Last week’s ranking: 8. Next up: vs. Minnesota, Saturday, noon ET, (ESPNU).

5. Nebraska (4-2): The Huskers were off this week but their beleaguered squad needed a break.  Coach Bo Pelini said that he does expect to have injured RB Rex Burkhead back this weekend. Last week’s ranking: 4. Next up: at  Northwestern, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2).

6. Northwestern (6-1): You could make an argument that the Wildcats were favored in all of their six victories this season. Saturday, against the Huskers, they won’t be. But if they can manage a victory at home, it immediately becomes Northwestern’s best win of the season. This past weekend, they handled Minnesota 21-13 and yielded just three second-half points, in a departure from their penchant for blowing leads. Last week's ranking: 5. Next up: vs. Nebraska, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). 

7. Iowa (4-2): It doesn’t matter that Michigan State is having an off-year. The Hawkeyes managed a road victory against one of the best defenses in the Big Ten. Iowa played to its strengths -- defense, rushing and special teams. Kicker Mike Meyer, the Big Ten special teams player of the week, hit all four field goal attempts in the pouring rain, including the game-winning try in overtime. Last week’s ranking: 10. Next up: vs. Penn State, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).

8. Michigan State (4-3): The Spartans tried the exact same formula that Iowa used against them in the loss at home Saturday afternoon. Le’Veon Bell was strong with 140 rushing yards, their K Dan Conroy hit all three of his field goal attempts, but Andrew Maxwell completed just 38 percent (12 of 31) of his passes and the Spartans lost their third home game of the season after not losing any for the past two years. Last week’s ranking: 6. Next up: at Michigan, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).

9. Purdue (3-3): The Boilermakers had a golden opportunity to seize a tiebreaker with Wisconsin but managed just 252 total yards against the Badgers. Quarterback Caleb TerBush’s 80 yards passing won’t do anything to silence the calls for backup quarterback Robert Marve to become the regular starter. Last week’s ranking: 7. Next up: at Ohio State, Saturday, noon ET (ABC).

10. Minnesota (4-2): The Gophers did a better job of containing Northwestern than most but injuries to quarterbacks Max Shortell and MarQueis Gray derailed their hopes of the upset last weekend. Minnesota also had three turnovers but couldn’t force any against the Wildcats. Last week’s ranking: 9. Next up: at Wisconsin, Saturday, noon ET (ESPNU).

11. Indiana (2-4): The Hoosiers never quit against Ohio State even when they were down 52-34 with 6:47 left in the fourth quarter. Kevin Wilson can be pleased with his team’s effort but it’s still Indiana’s fourth consecutive loss. Last week’s ranking: 11. Next up: at Navy, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS).  

12. Illinois (2-5): Hopes of a successful season are effectively gone after Saturday’s 45-0 drubbing against Michigan. The Fighting Illini are reeling without injured quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase. Last week’s ranking: 12. Next up: idle. 

For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.