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Big Ten Power Rankings Week 12: Not Much Change as Wisconsin Rises, Nebraska Falls

By Caleb Calhoun

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Nov 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Jalin Marshall (17) celebrates with wide receiver Devin Smith (9) after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana and Michigan at home to close out the season are likely wins as long as they stay focused. But depending on who they play in the Big Ten Championship game, things could get tough. Wisconsin is physical enough to hang with these guys. So lobbying for a playoff spot might be a bit premature, even if they are the best team in the Big Ten right now.

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1

Ohio State Buckeyes 9-1 (6-0)

Last week: Defeated Minnesota Golden Gophers 31-24
Last rank: 1

Just like that, the Ohio State Buckeyes are back to being among college football’s elite. They are one of the best teams in the sport, and their only loss came in the second game of the season when they were still molding a freshman quarterback who wasn’t expected to start at the beginning of the year.

That freshman quarterback has now exploded into a superstar and might be the best in all of college football.

Urban Meyer has an explosive offense that can beat anybody, and while the defense still has its weaknesses, it’s getting better. Ohio State can just outscore anybody with speed anyway, particularly in the Big Ten. And that’s what they have been doing, including last week with a dominant win against Minnesota that only got close at the end of the game. But despite being back in the College Football Playoff race, the Buckeyes can’t let up.

Indiana and Michigan at home to close out the season are likely wins as long as they stay focused. But depending on who they play in the Big Ten Championship game, things could get tough. Wisconsin is physical enough to hang with these guys. So lobbying for a playoff spot might be a bit premature, even if they are the best team in the Big Ten right now.

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