BIG TEN POWER POLL
1. Michigan State (7-1, 4-0): After a bit of a slow start, Shilique Calhoun has recorded a sack in five consecutive games.
2. Ohio State (7-1, 4-0): Defensive end Joey Bosa leads the Big Ten with 10 sacks and 14½ tackles for loss.
3. Nebraska (8-1, 4-1): Second 8-1 start since 2001 for the Huskers, but coach Bo Pelini knows they must be sharper.
4. Wisconsin (6-2, 3-1): The surging Badgers lead the nation in total defense, allowing 253.8 yards per game.
5. Iowa (6-2, 3-1): The Hawkeyes are 2-1 on the road, with wins at Pitt and Purdue and a loss at Maryland.
6. Gophers (6-2, 3-1): The Gophers are 5-0 at home this year but lost to Iowa and Wisconsin at home last season.
7. Maryland (6-3, 3-2): Blowing off Penn State's handshake was bush league, but the Terps played with a vengeance.
8. Michigan (4-5, 2-3): To get bowl eligible, this team probably needs to beat Northwestern and Maryland.
9. Penn State (4-4, 1-4): Christian Hackenberg has taken 32 sacks in eight games and looks exasperated at times.
10. Northwestern (3-5, 2-3): The Wildcats will try to avenge last year's triple- overtime loss to Michigan.
11. Rutgers (5-4, 1-4): Once 5-1, this team is undermanned without RB Paul James and with QB Gary Nova hobbled.
12. Purdue (3-6, 1-4): The Boilers lost top WR Danny Anthrop for the season heading into the Wisconsin game.
13. Illinois (4-5, 1-4): The Illini can make a bowl if they win two of three against Iowa, Penn State and Northwestern.
14. Indiana (3-5, 0-4): Still hard to believe this team knocked off Missouri, the current leader in the SEC East.
JOE CHRISTENSEN
