Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Week 6 edition

Oct 3, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Zander Diamont (12) runs by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Joey Bosa (97) in the fourth quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger-USA TODAY Sports

Talk about a team which proved a ton even in a loss. Indiana hosted the No. 1 team in the country on Saturday evening, and took the Buckeyes down to the final seconds, having a chance to tie the game at 34 with a redzone appearance. Oh yeah, and the Hoosiers did all this without starting quarterback Nate Sudfeld and star running back Jordan Howard.

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Zander Diamont did a solid job in place of Sudfeld, although mostly with his legs, while the Hoosiers made it seem like their 4-0 start to the year was no fluke. Talk about a confidence-builder moving forward, this team probably believes it can beat anyone.

Illinois continues to impress during a season in which it was expected that the Fighting Illini would finish with upwards of 8-to-10 losses. Our writers didn’t even think that this team could really put anything together on the field, but now they are giving them seventh-place votes in the Big Ten. Yes, Illinois is almost in the top half of the Big Ten power rankings. Unreal.

The defense seems to be solid as it held Tommy Armstrong Jr., one of the top dual-threats in the conference, to just 143 total yards and no touchdowns. Geronimo Allison and Wes Lunt continue to develop a strong bond in the passing game as these two are carrying the offense right now.

Hosting a 4-0 Iowa team in Camp Randall looked like a good opportunity for the Badgers to prove that their early season loss to Alabama had set them on the right path for success. However, the Hawkeyes came in and swallowed up all Wisconsin’s momentum on the year and left with a 10-6 win.

Joel Stave did not look good in this one, throwing two costly picks, while the run game finished with under 100 yards for the first time in recent memory. The Badgers need to pick up the pieces and move on from this crushing home defeat.

Next: No. 5 Michigan - No. 3 Northwestern