BTPowerhouse's Week 13 Big Ten Power Rankings: Buckeyes Strong At #2

After wrapping up play over the weekend, this is the first week of power rankings where there is a significant divide between the top team and the rest of the conference.  There have certainly been divides in the power rankings before this week, but the divide largely comes in the conference standings.  Before now, the race has been relatively tight, but after Maryland's loss to Iowa on Sunday, the Badgers now have a 3 game led over everyone else in the Big Ten.  The rest of the conference will be playing "catch up" for the remainder of the season.

The BTPowerhouse Week 13 Big Ten Power Rankings consisted of 23 voters.  A total of 14 voters came from the BTPowerhouse staff.  The remaining 10 votes came from SBNation's Big Ten team sites.  These sites included: Black Heart Gold Pants, Bucky's Fifth Quarter, The Champaign Room, Corn Nation, Daily Gopher, Hammer & Rails, Land Grant Holy Land, Maize & Brew, and On The Banks.  With that, here are the BTPowerhouse Week 13 Big Ten Power Rankings:

Big Ten Week 13 Power Rankings

#1 - Wisconsin Badgers (Average 1.0)

The Badgers remained the unanimous selection at #1 this week after thoroughly dominating not only Indiana early in the week, but also Northwestern over the weekend.  With this, Wisconsin pushed its Big Ten record to 9-1 and now holds a 3 game lead over the rest of the conference.  They get Illinois and Nebraska this week.

#2 - Ohio State Buckeyes (Average 2.2)

The Buckeyes strengthened their hold on the #2 spot this week despite splitting their road games against Purdue and Rutgers last week.  Despite the loss to the Boilermakers, Ohio State appears to be rounding into form and look more and more likely the biggest threat to Wisconsin's Big Ten title push.  They get Michigan State and Penn State this week.

#3 - Maryland Terrapins (Average 3.8)

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The Terrapins split their games against Penn State and Iowa, but looked very underwhelming for a team that many thought could challenge for the Big Ten title.  They were nearly upset against a struggling Nittany Lion team at home and were easily handled on the road against Iowa.  They will have to hope to turn the corner against Indiana and Penn State this week.

#4 - Iowa Hawkeyes (Average 3.9)

The Hawkeyes jumped to #4 this week after dominating wins over Michigan and Maryland.  In fact, nobody in the Big Ten might have had a better week than Iowa, who still remains a half a game back from 2nd place, but looks to be in prime position to make a run with Minnesota and Northwestern this week.

#5 - Indiana Hoosiers (Average 5.0)

The Hoosiers did not have the prettiest week in splitting their games against Wisconsin and Michigan, but they continued to take care of business at home with a win over the Wolverines.  Now, they once again will be challenged with a road game against Maryland and a home game against Minnesota.

#6 - Purdue Boilermakers (Average 5.96)

The Boilermakers started off the week very well with a home win over Ohio State, but fell on the road to a tricky Minnesota team and took some of the air out of their balloon.  Now, they get Nebraska in Rutgers with a potential NCAA bid riding in the balance.  Purdue really needs a 2-0 week.

#7 - Illinois Fighting Illini (Average 7.0)

The Illini may not have looked great in wins over Michigan State and Rutgers, but this team continues to get the job done and looks like they could be turning a corner if Aaron Cosby and Rayvonte Rice come back to the lineup soon.  They get Michigan and Wisconsin this week.

#8 - Michigan State Spartans (Average 7.4)

The Spartans took a big drop this week after losing their only game at home against Illinois this week.  Michigan State looks to be a solid team, but can't quite get that extra edge to pull off consistent wins.  They will face Northwestern and Ohio State this week.

#9 - Michigan Wolverines (Average 9.46)

The Wolverines suffered two disappointing losses this week after they were manhandled at home against Iowa and fell off a missed 3 pointer from Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman to tie the game and send it to overtime against Indiana on Sunday.  Michigan continues to play well, but keeps falling short.  They get Illinois on the road this week.

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#10 - Minnesota Golden Gophers (Average 9.5)

The Gophers scored a solid road win over Purdue this week and continue to remain a team that plays really well at home and struggles to play consistently on the road.  They get Indiana and Iowa on the road this week.

#11 - Nebraska Cornhuskers (Average 10.9)

The Huskers had a rough week as they barely beat Northwestern at home and fell on the road to Penn State and Nebraska's slim at-large NCAA Tournament hopes died.  They get Wisconsin and Purdue this week.

#12 - Penn State Nittany Lions (Average 11.8)

The Nittany Lions stayed at #12 after falling to Maryland on the road and beating Nebraska at home.  This is a team that can play with anyone, but has been unable to win consistently.  They get Maryland and Ohio State this week.

#13 - Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Average 13.48)

The Scarlet Knights lost both of their games last week and are now on an 8 game losing streak.  They will try to regroup against Purdue this week.

#14 - Northwestern Wildcats (Average 13.52)

The Wildcats lost both of their games against Northwestern and Wisconsin this week.  They will look to end their 9 game skid against Iowa and Michigan State.