Big Ten Power Rankings: Has Ohio State done enough to be No.1?

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

This week’s Big Ten Power Rankings may surprise you. Leave your bias and perception at the door. 

Week 4 is in the books and the non-conference schedule is almost complete (aside from two games vs Army). Perception and brand names mean nothing here. Results matter most. Who did you beat? Who did you play? How well did you play? In that order.

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• Ohio State football: 3 takeaways from win over Western Kentucky

Welcome to this week’s Big Ten Power Rankings. This is not a ranking of my perception of how good these teams are. For example, I believe Ohio State is the best team in the Big Ten, if not the country. I think Michigan State is a close second and there is still a gap between the Buckeyes and Spartans and the rest of the conference.

The rankings don’t necessarily reflect that opinion. This is also not a projection of how the power rankings, national rankings or conference standings will look at the end of the season. My power rankings are based on what teams have accomplished to date vs the schedule thus far. Wins vs quality opponents count most. Close losses vs quality teams are also factored as well as the level of play on the field.

Therefore, the rankings only reflect the win-loss records to an extent. The current outlier is Nebraska. The Huskers are given credit for taking two quality opponents to the last play of the game. Had Nebraska won those games, of course, its ranking would skyrocket. The games most recently played are also given greater consideration of a team’s current worth.

Ohio State is the most talented team. The Buckeyes are ranked No. 1 nationally. Are they No. 1 here?

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