Some teams are halfway through their schedules, so we've got a pretty good read on where things stand in the Big Ten pecking order.

Our latest power rankings after Saturday's games:

1. Ohio State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten): The 38-17 win over Indiana wasn't always pretty, but the Hoosiers have played the Buckeyes as tough as anybody not named Michigan State during Urban Meyer's tenure. The most interesting thing to watch is whether other teams can exploit some of the vulnerabilities in the Ohio State passing game that Indiana did.

2. Michigan (6-0, 3-0): So the Wolverines' first road trip of the year went pretty well. Scoreboard watching? Well, Ohio State beat Rutgers 58-0 at home two weeks ago. Michigan made that look like a nail-biter with its 78-0 demolition of the Scarlet Knights, a game in which it didn't allow a first down until the final nine minutes.

3. Wisconsin (4-1, 1-1): The Badgers got some rest with a bye week but get no break in the schedule as No. 2 Ohio State comes to Madison this week. The Buckeyes will be the fourth top-10 opponent Wisconsin has played already this season.

4. Nebraska (5-0, 2-0): The bye week came at a good time for the Cornhuskers, as quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. was recovering from a sprained ankle and might not have been able to play. Nebraska hopes to get him back for this week's game at Indiana.

5. Penn State (4-2, 2-1): From the depths of the Michigan blowout three weeks ago, the Nittany Lions now have won two straight conference games. That includes their best overall performance of the season in a 38-14 win over previously unbeaten Maryland on Saturday. James Franklin's team now goes into a bye week with a little momentum and a much better outlook for the rest of the season.

6. Iowa (4-2, 2-1): It’s been a strange last four games for the Hawkeyes. They lost both their home games, to North Dakota State and Northwestern. They won their two road games by identical 14-7 scores, the latest coming Saturday in the Floyd of Rosedale game against Minnesota. The defending West Division champs are still in the race, but their offensive line play must improve to stay there much longer.

7. Indiana (3-2, 1-1): The Hoosiers competed well, especially defensively, for most of the day in the Horseshoe despite the 21-point final margin. Things don't get any easier this week against Nebraska, but Kevin Wilson's squad has been a tough matchup at home for Big Ten powers the past couple of years.

8. Maryland (4-1, 1-1): The Terrapins surged all the way to No. 5 in last week's power rankings, though we acknowledged that they hadn't really beaten anyone of substance. A humbling performance at Penn State knocks D.J. Durkin's squad down several notches. Maryland's biggest concern right now is the health of quarterback Perry Hills.

9. Northwestern (2-3, 1-1): The Wildcats had a week off after upsetting Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in Week 5. They go back on the Big Ten road this week at Michigan State.

10. Minnesota (3-2, 0-2): After a 3-0 nonconference sweep, the Golden Gophers have dropped their first two conference games despite leading in the fourth quarter in both. Their problem is a familiar one: a lack of offensive playmakers. Minnesota had nine three-and-outs against Iowa.

11. Michigan State (2-3, 0-2): How the mighty have fallen. The reigning Big Ten champs have lost three in a row and were physically dominated 31-14 by BYU on Saturday. It's a stunning fall for Mark Dantonio's team, and the Spartans have major issues to solve on both sides of the ball.

12. Purdue (3-2, 1-1): Hey, the Boilermakers have a winning record! The 34-31 overtime win at Illinois certainly bought Darrell Hazell some more time and showed that his team still plays hard for him. Hazell has never won more than three games in a season at Purdue.

13. Rutgers (2-4, 0-3): The Scarlet Knights have scored a total of seven points in their past three games and were outscored 136-0 the past two contests. At least they're done with with Ohio State and Michigan. Mama said there'd be days like this, Chris Ash.

14. Illinois (1-4, 0-2): Thank goodness for FCS Murray State, or else Lovie Smith would still be seeking his first win as a collegiate head coach. The Illinois-Rutgers game this week is an epic pillow fight.