1. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 1
Last week's game: W, 34-0 vs Wisconsin
Ohio State continues its dominance, holding onto the No. 1 spot in the Big Ten and entire country that it's held since the end of Week 1. The Buckeyes defense keeps balling out, forcing its second shutout of the season and has only allowed more than 10 points in a game once this season. The Buckeyes have a bye this week before taking on the hampered Penn State Nittany Lions on Nov. 1.
2. Indiana Hoosiers (7-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 2
Last week's game: W, 38-13 vs Michigan State
The Hoosiers are right behind Ohio State, moving up to No. 2 in the AP Poll after their 25-point win over Michigan State and Miami's loss to Louisville. Coach Curt Cignetti dispelled rumors of taking the vacant Penn State job by agreeing to an 8-year, $93 million contract extension to stay in Indiana. It's truly an exciting time if you're a fan of the Hoosiers, who will be facing a red-hot UCLA team this Saturday.
3. Oregon Ducks (6-1)
Last week's ranking: No. 3
Last week's game: W, 56-10 vs Rutgers
The Ducks proved their loss to Indiana didn't rattle them by going off for 56 points against Rutgers. Oregon takes on Wisconsin at home this week in what should be another easy win, as a spot back in the top-5 of the AP Poll should come along with it.
4. Michigan Wolverines (5-2)
Last week's ranking: No. 6 (+2)
Last week's game: W, 24-7 vs Washington
Michigan's two losses this season were pretty brutal, but it appears the team is beginning to turn a corner after the performance it had against Washington. It was an all-around game for them: the defense was lockdown and forced several turnovers, and freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood had his best collegiate game yet. The Wolverines will be scary to face the rest of the year, as they have climbed their way back into the nation's top-25 and have a rivalry matchup against Michigan State coming up.
5. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-2)
Last week's ranking: No. 8 (+3)
Last week's game: BYE
Illinois takes advantage of USC, Nebraska, and Washington losses to move up three positions in the power rankings despite not playing a game in Week 8. The Illini also moved back into the AP Poll, as they are now the No. 23-ranked team in the country. However, Illinois has struggled with winning big games this season, and it will have another one this Saturday on the road against the Huskies.
6. USC Trojans (5-2)
Last week's ranking: No. 4 (-2)
Last week's game: L, 34-24 vs No. 13 Notre Dame
USC played a very good Notre Dame team well on the road, but ultimately fell by 10 points to receive a second loss on the season. Luckily, USC doesn't lose much in the Big Ten Championship Game chase since it was a non-conference game. The Trojans have the offense to beat any team in the nation, it's just the matter of if their defense can step up to the occasion in big games like this past one.