The Big Ten East didn't make a great first impression.

In addition to Michigan looking like the 2017 Wolverines in South Bend, Penn State and Michigan State were pushed to the brink at home by three-touchdown underdogs. And even Ohio State, with all its offensive firepower, had some defensive questions against an overmatched team.

It's early, but line between the middle of the Big Ten and the alleged top seems thinner than previously anticipated.

On to this week's rankings:

Andy Manis | AP Photo

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1. WISCONSIN (1-0)

Aside from a fumble, Jonathan Taylor picked up right where he left off, and the Badgers cruised past Western Kentucky on Friday night, 34-3. Taylor had two TDs and 145 yards while sitting most of the fourth quarter and Alex Hornibrook threw for 257 yards. And Wisconsin's defense got to break in seven new starters, including three in the secondary. All in all, productive Week 1 in Madison. (Last week: 1)

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Jonathan Taylor and the Badgers are off and running 💪 pic.twitter.com/s6LjotyUY7 — ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 1, 2018

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UP NEXT: Wisconsin vs. New Mexico, 12 p.m. Saturday

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Jay LaPrete | AP Photo

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2. OHIO STATE (1-0)

Another few games should be tacked on Urban Meyer's suspension for the notion that J.T. Barrett was the better option at QB last year for Ohio State. Dwayne Haskins was as advertised in a 77-31 win over Oregon State, with five TD passes and 313 passing yards. The Buckeyes piled up 721 yards of offense, but the other side of the ball had its issues. Beavers RB Atravis Piece busted loose for TDs of 80 and 78 yards, and there was a host of other big plays. (Last week: 2)

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Dwayne Haskins, when asked what he would have said if someone would have told him before the game that he'd be the first Ohio State quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards and five touchdowns in his first start: "I’d probably have told them they’d be right." — Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 1, 2018

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UP NEXT: Ohio State vs. Rutgers, 3:30 p.m. Saturday

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Annie Rice | AP Photo

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3. NORTHWESTERN (1-0)

The Wildcats offense answered a couple questions right out of the gate, and a program that's been plagued by slow starts is already 1-0 in the Big Ten after beating Purdue. QB Clayton Thorson was mostly sharp (and healthy) after tearing his ACL in the bowl game, and Jeremy Larkin showed there's life after Justin Jackson in the backfield. Larkin had 143 yards and two TDs. (Last week: 6)

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So fired up for start of college football I've talked myself into believing tonight's Northwestern-Purdue game will decide B10 West — Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) August 30, 2018

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UP NEXT: Northwestern vs. Duke, 12 p.m. Saturday

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Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

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4. MICHIGAN STATE (1-0)

Just as its become tradition for the Spartans to open the season on a Friday night, there's a lackluster performance that often comes with it. Michigan State survived against Utah State, 38-31, thanks to some late-game heroics by Felton Davis and Joe Bachie. There are offensive line question marks, with LJ Scott averaging less than 4 yards per carry. And Aggies QB Jordan Love threw for 319 yards. But it's safe to expect Mark Dantonio's group will be much improved in Week 2. (Last week: 3)

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First Team All-Hands: We nominate @TheFreak_18! 👐



Felton Davis comes up with the huge snag for @MSU_Football, and it's a #BTNStandout presented by @AutoOwnersIns: pic.twitter.com/EtvZnAESY2 — Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 1, 2018

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UP NEXT: Michigan State at Arizona State, 10:45 p.m. Saturday

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Chris Knight | AP Photo

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5. PENN STATE (1-0)

Appalachian State shouldn't wait by the phone waiting for the next Big Ten team to call about a future schedule. Eleven years after shocking Michigan, it nearly repeated it against the Nittany Lions. Penn State needed a late Trace McSorley TD pass to force overtime, and then won it 45-38. The Nittany Lions squandered a 14-point fourth-quarter lead, though, and were in a battle with the Mountaineers all day. (Last week: 5)

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Trace McSorley is pretty good at the whole "I'm about to die, may as well throw a touchdown anyway" routine. pic.twitter.com/ajo9mMrep6 — Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) September 2, 2018

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UP NEXT: Penn State vs. Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. Saturday

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Charlie Neibergall | AP Photo

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6. IOWA (1-0)

It wasn't pretty, but that's kind of how Kirk Ferentz likes it. So it was fitting Ferentz became the program's all-time wins leader (144) with Saturday's 33-7 victory over Northern Illinois. Iowa led just 3-0 at halftime, but scored 30 straight points out of the locker room and limited the Huskies to just 211 total yards. (Last week: 7)

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And all is right with the CFB world: The Iowa wave is back. 👋pic.twitter.com/3hC2XRu4bf — FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 1, 2018

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UP NEXT: Iowa vs. Iowa State, 5 p.m. Saturday

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Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

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7. MICHIGAN (0-1)

There's a new QB, but little has changed for the Wolverines on offense. There's still a suspect line, few explosive plays and a lack of true identity. That requires the defense to throw a perfect game against tough competition, and Notre Dame punched Don Brown's group in the mouth with two quick touchdowns Saturday night in South Bend. Talk of a new-look Michigan under Shea Patterson was just that. (Last week: 4)

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Ambry Thomas provides the first Michigan TD of the season. 99-yard kickoff return. pic.twitter.com/I1ziC5WV9U — Brad Galli (@BradGalli) September 2, 2018

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UP NEXT: Michigan vs. Western Michigan, 12 p.m. Saturday

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Annie Rice | AP Photo

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8. PURDUE (0-1)

Rondale Moore, take a bow. The Boilermakers freshman was one of the national stories of Week 1 setting a program record for all-purpose yards (313). Moore should be quite a weapon for Jeff Brohm all season. The issue for Purdue against Northwestern was QB play, as Elijah Sindelar's three first-half interceptions created too big of a hole. Sindlear has the stronger arm, but don't be surprised to see more David Blough. (Last week: 8)

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UP NEXT: Purdue vs. Eastern Michigan, 12 p.m. Saturday

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Nati Harnik | AP Photo

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9. NEBRASKA

Mother Nature 1, Cornhuskers 0. The Scott Frost era will have to begin next week, as Nebraska's season opener against Akron was canceled due to weather. Numerous games around the country were affected Saturday, the lightning kept striking in Lincoln and this game could never get started. (Last week: 9)

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Unfortunately Nebraska's first game was cancelled, but the weather held off long enough for Scott Frost's first @HuskerFBNation Tunnel Walk of 2018.



And it was epic: pic.twitter.com/R4sXMUQ2zj — Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 2, 2018

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UP NEXT: Nebraska vs. Colorado, 3:30 p.m. Saturday

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Patrick Semansky | AP Photo

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10. MARYLAND (1-0)

The best win of the week for the Big Ten, on and off the field. For the second straight year, the Terrapins took down Texas, again as a double-digit underdog. But this Maryland win also was with a heavy heart, as the team paid tribute to Jordan McNair, who collapsed on the field and died two weeks later of heatstroke. The Terps had 24-7 lead that vanished, but pushed through for Matt Canada, the interim coach while D.J. Durkin is on administrative leave. (Last week: 10)

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Maryland decided to send 10 players onto the field for the first offensive play in honor of Jordan McNair. The Terps made Texas aware of the plan and the Longhorns respectfully agreed to decline the penalty. — Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) September 1, 2018

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UP NEXT: Maryland at Bowling Green, 6 p.m. Saturday

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Annie Rice | AP Photo

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11. INDIANA (1-0)

Patrick Ramsey threw an interception on the opening drive, but settled down and was solid for the Hoosiers after that in a 38-28 road win over FIU. Ramsey had three touchdown passes, and Indiana built a 35-14 lead before things got a little tight in the second half. (Last week: 11)

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IU wins 38-28 at Florida Internstional. Hoosiers have won 13 of their last 15 season openers — Rick Semmler (@Rick_Sports10) September 2, 2018

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UP NEXT: Indiana vs. Virginia, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

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Stacy Bengs | AP Photo

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12. MINNESOTA (1-0)

It's unclear if Zack Annexstad is the next Baker Mayfield, but the only other true freshman walk-on to start a season opener kicked off his career with a victory. Annexstad had two TD passes after an early fumble, and got nice support from Minnesota's ground game, led by Rodney Smith (24 carries, 153 yards). And Antoine Winfield Jr. provided quite the highlight with a 76-yard punt return for a TD. (Last week: 12)

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I just can't get over how ridiculous this punt return TD was...insane...#Gophers: pic.twitter.com/0HefZcmor7 — Daniel House (@DanielHouseNFL) August 31, 2018

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UP NEXT: Minnesota vs. Fresno State, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

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Julio Cortez | AP Photo

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13. RUTGERS (1-0)

Freshman Art Sitkowski had three interceptions in his first start, but the Scarlet Knights were fortunate enough to be starting the season off against Texas State. Rutgers built a 21-0 lead and rolled to a 35-7 win, and Chris Ash is 1-0 for the first time in his three-year tenure. (Last week: 13)

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Announced attendance: 40,124. Offered without a snarky comment. Although I guess, technically speaking, that in itself is a snarky comment. — Steve Politi (@StevePoliti) September 1, 2018

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UP NEXT: Rutgers at Ohio State, 3:30 p.m. Saturday

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Annie Rice | AP Photo

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14. ILLINOIS (1-0)

The first half against Kent State was a disaster for the Illini, down 17-3. But Illinois rallied behind A.J. Bush for a 31-24 win over the Golden Flashes, an annual MAC doormat. Bush had 190 yards passing and 139 yards rushing, giving Lovie Smith and that beard at least some offensive hope for the season. (Last week: 14)

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Listen as the boos rain down upon Illinois Football at halftime pic.twitter.com/tBFYE5F1L0 — IllinoisLoyalty🤨 (@IllinoisLoyalty) September 1, 2018

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UP NEXT: Illinois vs. Western Illinois, 7:30 p.m. Saturday