Winners And Losers In The Big Ten After Seven Weeks

There are still a few dominant teams left in the Big Ten, followed by a big middle group and finally a few bottom feeders.

Four Big Ten teams are still undefeated seven weeks into the season and Michigan is right there at 5-1. Ohio State and Northwestern were off this past week but the other 12 members of the conference had a chance to send a message. Here's a look at the Big Ten's winners and losers through seven weeks.

Winners

Minnesota

The Golden Gophers are still rolling and are now 6-0 for the first time since 2003. They handled Nebraska in convincing fashion this weekend routing the Cornhuskers 34-7. They'll probably be 8-0 with games coming up against Rutgers and Nebraska before being really tested by Penn State. Good for PJ Fleck and his crew.

Penn State

Speaking of the Nittany Lions, they're also still undefeated and are now No. 7 in the AP Top 25. They went into Iowa City this past weekend and booked a 17-12 win over the Hawkeyes at night — not an easy task. We're going to find out a lot about them, and Michigan, next weekend when the Wolverines travel to Happy Valley for a white out night game.

Wisconsin

The Badgers are starting to be talked about as potentially the most complete team in the Big Ten. Ohio State is the most talented and probably still viewed as the best squad, but Wisconsin has been beyond impressive. They've now notched four shutouts in six games after blanking the Spartans over the weekend and junior running back Jonathan Taylor continues to make his case for the Heisman. Wisconsin's offense is balanced and efficient and the defense is better than anticipated. They're for real and sit at No. 6 in the AP Top 25.

Losers

Maryland

Maryland started off the year in the winners column, but a 40-14 loss to a pretty banged up Purdue team will force you into the loser category in a hurry. The Terps are reeling at the midpoint of the season and are now 3-3. With games left against Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State, Maryland might not make it to six wins.

Michigan State

We dragged Michigan for several days after a 35-14 loss to Wisconsin, so Michigan State is certainly deserving of the same treatment after a 38-0 beatdown by the Badgers. Michigan State's offense has been as bad or worse than Michigan's through seven games and things are starting to unravel around Mark Dantonio. A 7-5 finish now seems like a best cast scenario for Sparty, which should make for an interesting offseason. 

Rutgers

Rutgers, Rutgers, Rutgers. There's not much that needs to be said here. The Scarlet Knights are now 1-5 and just got blasted by Indiana, 35-0. They stink.