Big Ten Power Rankings: Michigan State, Iowa vie for top spot after Ohio State loss
By Mark Rogers
Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
4. Ohio State (10-1, 6-1)
How the mighty have fallen? Since week one most of college football nation has given Ohio State the benefit of the doubt as one of the game’s best teams, if not the greatest. Our eyes were telling us otherwise, but we knew better. Maybe the eyes have it. Ohio State looked awful on offense (5 first downs, 132 total yards) and the Buckeyes lost for the first time in 24 games. For the first time since maybe Urban Meyer’s inaugural 2012 season in Columbus, the Buckeyes feel like an underdog and arch rival Michigan is waiting.
3. Michigan (9-2, 6-1)
Excluding a 2011 aberration between the Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer eras, Michigan hasn’t beaten Ohio State since 2003’s battle for the Big Ten Title. Considering the Buckeyes’ offensive woes and focus on NFL riches, Michigan has more than a solid shot to swing the rivalry much sooner than expected. The Wolverines’ defense shook a sloppy showing at Indiana to put the clamps on Christian Hackenberg and Penn State. Michigan now hopes those same Nittany Lions find success at Michigan State while the Wolverines welcome the suddenly troubled Buckeyes.
Next: Michigan State-Iowa