Big Ten Power Rankings: Michigan, Northwestern continue to impress

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

While the Big Ten boasts the nation’s top two teams, recent struggles by the Buckeyes and Spartans leave an opening at the top of the conference in this week’s Big Ten Power Rankings.

The season is more than just one game. Since way back in January after Ohio State won the National Championship and Michigan State’s Cotton Bowl comeback capped a top-five finish, Big Ten prognostications have focused on one game in 2015: November 21st – Michigan State at Ohio State.

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College football craziness week after week, year after year, still has yet to teach us to expect the unexpected. And while the Big Ten season may yet come down to that one showdown, recent results give us indication that some other teams may break up the party.

In fact, the Big Ten’s game of the year may turn out to be a more familiar winner take all, otherwise known as The Game.

As mentioned in previous posts, my power rankings are not based on perception, projection or expectation. These power rankings are based on results. So forget what you think. Forget what I think. Let’s review the resumes. So while Ohio State may be the most talented, Michigan State the most complete and Michigan the most impressive right now, the results say otherwise.

Here are the Big Ten Power Rankings entering Week 6.

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