13. Iowa Hawkeyes (3-2)
Last week's ranking: No. 12 (-1)
Last week's game: L, 20-15 vs No. 11 Indiana
The jokes seem to pretty much write themselves: will Iowa ever score 20 points in a game against a decent opponent? The 17-14, 16-13, or in last week's case 20-15, games seem to be a Hakweye standard at this point. Iowa is once again ... Iowa. For some that's at least a top-10 team due to pure grit and consistency alone, for others (including me), it's boring and will never be considered upper-echelon status in the conference.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-2)
Last week’s ranking: No. 14
Last week’s game: L, 31-28 vs Minnesota
Rutgers has now suffered back-to-back defeats to the teams immediately above them on this ranking, but played tough in both contests. An 0-2 conference record officially puts them at the bottom of the Big Ten standings, but the Scarlet Knights have still looked better the other bottom dwellers. The issue is their schedule doesn't get easier: after a bye this week they travel to Seattle to play the Huskies, then play Oregon the following week. After that, they still have to deal with Illinois, Ohio State, and Penn State on the schedule.
15. Purdue Boilermakers (2-2)
Last week's ranking: No. 15
Last week's game: BYE
Purdue's Week 5 bye keeps them hanging out at the No. 15 spot, a position that must feel nice after winning only one game last season. An upcoming home matchup against Illinois will be tough, but after that, a three-game stretch against Minnesota, Northwestern, and Rutgers is an opportunity for the Boilermakers to take the next step of their program rebuild.
16. Wisconsin Badgers (2-2)
Last week's ranking: No. 16
Last week's game: BYE
The Badgers got some much-needed rest after losses to Alabama and Maryland, but will need to gear back up as they resume their gauntlet of a Big Ten schedule. It starts this weekend against Michigan at the Big House, and continues with four of their next five matchups against Ohio State, Oregon, Washington, and Indiana. It's hard to like the Wisconsin's chances, but you never know, just one upset during that stretch could do a lot in keeping the fanbase engaged.
17. Northwestern Wildcats (2-2)
Last week's ranking: No. 18 (+1)
Last week's game: W, 17-14 vs UCLA
Northwestern overcame UCLA in a tight one that actually does a lot more for the program than one might think. It keeps the Wildcats from the bottom of the conference and gives them good momentum as they play a non-conference game against UL Monroe that they can win. If that happens, Northwestern will be at three wins on the season, with a chance for a fourth when it plays Purdue at home later in the season. That would match Northwestern's win total from last year. Consistency is a lot better than a decline.
18. UCLA Bruins (0-4)
Last week's ranking: No. 17 (-1)
Last week's game: L, 17-14 vs Northwestern
UCLA just lost what was the most-winnable game remaining on its schedule, and looked really bad doing so. The nightmare season continues for Nico Iamaleava and the Bruins, further cementing themselves as the laughing stock of the conference they just fought so hard to join. With Penn State next on their schedule, you may as well chalk up an 0-5 start now. After that, a road game against Michigan State and a home game against Maryland are UCLA's next best chances for win No. 1.