BTPowerhouse's Week 14 Big Ten Power Rankings: Maryland Terrapins Move Up To #2

The last week of conference play could very well have been the best week of the season.  Not only were fans able to see top teams face off like Indiana and Maryland, but they also got treated to thrilling wins like Michigan State over Ohio State and overtime battles between teams like Illinois and Michigan.  The Big Ten title race didn't change much with Wisconsin maintaining its 3 game lead, but it was an exciting week of gameplay.

The BTPowerhouse Week 14 Big Ten Power Rankings consisted of 21 voters.  A total of 14 voters came from the BTPowerhouse staff.  The remaining 7 votes came from SBNation's Big Ten team sites.  These sites included: Black Heart Gold Pants, Bucky's Fifth Quarter, The Champaign Room, Crimson Quarry, Daily Gopher, Hammer & Rails, and Land Grant Holy Land.  With that, here are the BTPowerhouse Week 14 Big Ten Power Rankings:

Big Ten Week 14 Power Rankings

#1 - Wisconsin Badgers (Average 1.0)

The Badgers remained at the top spot after notching victories against Nebraska on the road and Illinois at home in pretty convincing fashion.  The question is now starting to become when Wisconsin will clinch the Big Ten title, not when.  They get Penn State on the road and Minnesota at home this week.

#2 - Maryland Terrapins (Average 2.4)

The Terrapins are the new #2 team this week after beating Indiana at home and beating Penn State on the road.  Though Maryland has yet to do too much on the road in conference play, they are still winning the games they should win and getting the two victories last week could go a long way toward March seeding.  They get Nebraska at home this week.

#3 - Ohio State Buckeyes (Average 3.0)

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The Buckeyes slide one spot after beating Penn State and falling to Michigan State on the road last week.  Ohio State will look to make one final push at the top of the conference standings and it will start on the road against arch-rival Michigan on Sunday.

#4 - Purdue Boilermakers (Average 4.4)

The Boilermakers are up to #4 this week after beating Rutgers on the road and Nebraska at home this week.  Many are still skeptical of Purdue, but at this point, they have more than proven themselves and are very likely to win at least 10 games in conference play this season.  They get Indiana on the road this week.

#5 - Indiana Hoosiers (Average 4.7)

The Hoosiers stayed at #5 this week after splitting against Maryland on the road and Minnesota at home.  They will get Purdue at home on Thursday night in a huge rivalry game and Rutgers on the road this weekend.  This could be a week where Indiana solidifies itself as an NCAA Tournament team and sets itself up for a good seed in the Big Ten Tournament and to make a run going into March.

#6 - Michigan State Spartans (Average 5.8)

The Spartans are up to #6 after sweeping Northwestern and Ohio State this week.  Michigan State has been relatively inconsistent this season, but it looks like they are scoring enough wins to be relevant in March, but they have a very important stretch this week with Michigan and Illinois on the road.  Going 1-1 is a must.

#7 - Illinois Fighting Illini (Average 6.8)

The Illini stayed at #7 after beating Michigan in overtime on Thursday and dropping to Wisconsin on the road over the weekend.  Illinois had a very good close to their home game against Michigan and started very well against the Badgers before being overwhelmed.  They get Michigan State at home over the weekend in a game that could really help them off the bubble.

#8 - Iowa Hawkeyes (Average 8.0)

The Hawkeyes had a terrible week after losing to rival Minnesota at home and dropping on the road to Northwestern.  Coming into the week, many fans thought it could be a week where Iowa not only got 2 solid wins, but virtually locked up an NCAA Tournament berth.  Unfortunately, Iowa will have to get back on track against Rutgers at home and Nebraska on the road this week in what are looking more like "must win" games.

#9 - Minnesota Golden Gophers (Average 9.0)

The Gophers had a relatively good week after beating Iowa on the road and losing on the road to Indiana.  Though they only went 1-1, it was Minnesota's first conference road win and a loss against a quality opponent on the road.  They get Northwestern at home and Wisconsin on the road this week.

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#10 - Michigan Wolverines (Average 9.8)

The Wolverines dropped their only game last week in overtime on the road against Illinois.  Michigan will get what could be its last chance at some big wins with Michigan State and Ohio State at home this week.

#11 - Nebraska Cornhuskers (Average 11.2)

The Huskers lost both of their games last week with Wisconsin at home and on the road against Purdue.  Nebraska has lost 3 in a row and get Maryland on the road and Iowa at home this week.

#12 - Penn State Nittany Lions (Average 12.1)

The Nittany Lions stayed at #12 after losing to Ohio State on the road and Maryland at home this week.  They get Wisconsin at home and Northwestern on the road this week.

#13 - Northwestern Wildcats (Average 12.7)

The Wildcats moved up a spot this week after falling to Michigan State and beating Iowa at home this week.  Northwestern gets Minnesota on the road and Penn State at home this week.

#14 - Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Average 13.94)

The Scarlet Knights lost their only game against Purdue at home last week.  They have now lost 9 games in a row and get Iowa on the road and Indiana at home this week.  Things could continue to be rough.