Big Ten Power Poll: PrezDay edition

1. Purdue (12-1)
Not to take away anything from the Boilers' young talent or Coach Painter's excellent work, but it might just be that all of the stars are aligning for a regular-season conference championship.

2. Wisconsin (11-2)
Butch's banker gives the Badgers the sweep of the Hoosiers, and a firm hold on second place.

3. Indiana (10-2)
This is the team on the brink of either disaster or great success. So many variables and possible outcomes, it makes my head spin.

4. Michigan State (8-4)
Going into Assembly Hall and getting a good jump on Indiana, who then loses DJ White for most of the game, only to get blown out doesn't signal future success.

5. Ohio State (8-5)
With the loss at Michigan, the Buckeyes look like the Big Ten most likely to get hosed by the NCAA selection committee. OSU has got to get some quality wins, and fast.

6. Penn State (4-8)
Teams 6-10 seem pretty even, so I'm just going with the best record. Nipping Illinois at the finish, even at home, may prove to be a good win in the coming weeks. Also, the Nittany Lions are the only team that has a shot at finishing above .500 from here on.

7. Michigan (4-9)
Three wins in a row catapult the Wolverines up the charts. Who are these guys all of the sudden? Four words: Look out next year.

8. Iowa (4-9)
The Hawkeyes remain dangerous, but lost their only game this week. And it was a big collapse, at home, to Michigan. Ouch.

9. Illinios (3-11)
The Illini exacted revenge upon hapless Minnesota before barely falling on the road to PSU. If Illinois finally starts playing the way we expected all season long,
the conference tourney could be real interesting.

10. Minnesota (5-7)
It wasn't too long ago it seemed as if the Gophers could be contending for a NCAA at-large bid. Now it seems as if they're barely hanging on to a NIT bid.

11. Northwestern (0-12)
Will they win a game? I'd hope so, and they are looking a little better here and there, but they just can't seem to break the streak.