13. Northwestern Wildcats (4-2)
Last week's ranking: No. 17 (+4)
Last week's game: W, 22-21 vs Penn State
Northwestern has been thrown a lot of shade on this site so far this season, but kudos to the Wildcats for walking into Happy Valley and pulling out a narrow victory against a talented Penn State team. They're now an impressive 4-2 and technically near the top of the Big Ten standings. Their win earlier in the season against UCLA, along with the fact that a road win against Penn State is more impressive than one at home, officially puts them above the Bruins.
14. UCLA Bruins (2-4)
Last week's ranking: No. 15 (+1)
Last week's game: W, 38-13 vs Michigan State
UCLA deserves a lot of credit as well for turning around its season after starting 0-4. The Bruins' upcoming matchup against Maryland is super intriguing and will be an opportunity to again climb their way back up the power rankings.
15. Michigan State Spartans (3-3)
Last week's ranking: No. 12 (-3)
Last week's game: L, 38-13 vs UCLA
Losing by 25 points to a team that was once the laughing stock of college football is never a great thing, and Michigan State's schedule only gets harder. The Spartans' next two games are against Indiana and Michigan, meaning it's possible they will be 3-5 with coach Jonathan Smith's future with the program even more up in the air by November.
16. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-3)
Last week’s ranking: No. 14 (-2)
Last week’s game: L, 38-19 vs Washinton
Rutgers came out the gates at Husky Stadium looking like it would upset Washington after the first quarter, but came back down to earth for the next three. The Scarlet Knights remind me a lot of the Washington State Cougars -- an offense that has some talent and can be effective in spurts, and a defense that is "feast or famine." Overall, both programs tend to struggle with consistency and being outmanned by superior opponents.
17. Purdue Boilermakers (2-4)
Last week's ranking: No. 16 (-1)
Last week's game: L, 27-20 vs Minnesota
Purdue has shown a lot of fight this season, but the results just aren't quite there yet. Coach Barry Odom deserves some credit for making a 1-11 team from a year ago look at least competent. Maybe this Saturday's contest against Northwestern will be Purdue's time to get back in the win column.
18. Wisconsin Badgers (2-4)
Last week's ranking: No. 18
Last week's game: L, 37-0 vs Iowa
It's been emphasized how much of a gauntlet Wisconsin's schedule is, but its most-recent game against Iowa was one that it had a reasonable chance to win. Not only did the Badgers lose, but they got shutout in front of their home fans, while giving up 37 points to a below-average Hawkeye offense. With Ohio State, Oregon, Washington, Indiana, and Illinois the next five in line for Wisconsin, it's time to start saying prayers in Madison.