Groundhog Day arrived early in Pennsylvania, where Punxsutawney James (Franklin) saw his shadow, which means another long winter for Penn State after again losing to Ohio State.

The Nittany Lions, who have not defeated the Buckeyes since 2016, dropped behind OSU and Indiana after Saturday’s 20-13 loss. Oregon remains No. 1. The biggest stress points are in Lincoln and Madison, where Nebraska and Wisconsin suddenly are in jeopardy of missing bowl season. 

1. Oregon (9-0)

Last week: 1 

This week: vs. Maryland

What to know: The Ducks’ voyage to regular-season perfection is smooth sailing with only Maryland, Wisconsin and rival Washington left to play. 

2. Ohio State (7-1)

Last week: 4

This week: vs. Purdue

What to know: With their season at a crossroads, the Buckeyes looked both ways against Penn State and then late in the game looked good both ways, on offense and defense.

3. Indiana (9-0)

Last week: 3

This week: vs. Michigan

What to know: Hand the conference coach of the year honor to Curt Cignetti now. No reason to wait. The Hoosiers are 9-0 for the first time in program history.

4. Penn State (7-1)

Last week: 2

This week: vs. Washington 

What to know: : Penn State no longer controls its own destiny in the race to make the Big Ten title game, but the playoff remains probable, even if a deep playoff run does not.

5. Iowa (6-3)

Last week: 5

This week: at UCLA (Friday)

What to know: We’re not sure if the Hawkeyes are sneaky good or sneaky bad, but we’re willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.  

6. Minnesota (6-3)

Last week: 9

This week: at Rutgers.

What to know: A true test to see if the Golden Gophers are as good as their record. We think not, but Rutgers won’t prove us right.  

7. Illinois (6-3)

Last week: 6

This week: idle

What to know: Once upon a time this season, Illinois surprised people. We’re no longer surprised. We figured the Illini eventually would fold like a cheap lawn chair..

8. Washington (5-4)

Last week: 11

This week: at Penn State

What to know: The Huskies can take heart in a hopeful stat: Since 2017, Penn State is 3-3 the game after losing to Ohio State. 

9. Michigan (5-4)

Last week: 10

This week: at Indiana

What to know: Michigan optimism: Nobody really knows if IU is that good. Michigan reality: Everybody knows the Wolverines aren’t that good.. 

10. Wisconsin (5-4)

Last week: 8

This week: idle

What to know: The last time the Badgers finished with a losing record (2001), Barry Alvarez still had hair. Don’t look now but a sub-.500 season remains a possibility.

11. Michigan State (4-5)

Last week: 12

This week: idle

What to know: Green. White. Green. White. The chant you hear when Sparty waves the surrender flag on the field.  

12. UCLA (3-5)

Last week: 16

This week: vs. Iowa (Friday)

What to know: News flash: UCLA is not awful. Still bad, yes, but not awful. Just ask Nebraska.

13. USC (4-5)

Last week: 13

This week: idle 

What to know: Sitting here wondering if Lincoln Riley wishes he were back in Oklahoma. We hear the L.A. media wish he were. 

14. Nebraska (5-4)

Last week: 7

This week: idle

What to know: We’re not saying Nebraska is regressing into the Nebraska of Scott Frost, but we’re not not saying it, either.   

15. Northwestern (4-5)

Last week: 15 

This week: idle

What to know: The Wildcats get a week off to celebrate their overtime win against Purdue. The party deserves to last 30 seconds. 

16. Maryland (4-4)

Last week: 14

This week: at Oregon

What to know: The Terps always disappear in late fall, like a golf ball hiding under autumn. 

17. Rutgers (4-4)

Last week: 17

This week: Minnesota

What to know: Upset special: the Scarlet Knights are due. The Golden Gophers are doo-doo.

18. Purdue (1-7)

Last week: 18

This week: at Ohio State 

What to know: What hurts more? Having to play Ohio State or being 18th in the first year of Big Ten expansion when rival Indiana is 9-0? 

roller@dispatch.com

@rollerCD

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