Okay, let’s admit this: Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz is the best coach in the conference this season. His team’s last-second victory against Michigan State on Saturday night proved once and for all that Ferentz is doing something special in Iowa City. For this week, however, we move Joe Paterno up to the #2 slot, thanks to his team’s 7-1 start and dismantling of Michigan this weekend.
1. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa (Last week: #1)
Simply, amazing. Ferentz’s last true test is likely coming on November 14th at Ohio Stadium.
2. Joe Paterno, Penn State (3)
When his team lost 21-10 at home against Iowa, many skeptics concluded that this was another rebuilding year in State College. However, perhaps this will be Paterno’s near-best squad to ever take the field that won’t win the Big Ten title.
3. Mark Dantonio, Michigan State (2)
With .02 seconds to go in the Iowa-Michigan State game, we penciled Dantonio into the number one slot. Still, even with the loss and his team at 4-4, the Spartans are thisclose of being championship material. Watch out Penn State.
4. Danny Hope, Purdue (5)
Hope is laying a promising foundation at Purdue and his team will certainly have amazing goals for 2010.
5. Jim Tressel, Ohio State (6)
Tressel has won a national championship, five Big Ten titles and has gone to six BCS games (including three national championship games), so why does what Kirk Ferentz is doing in Iowa look so much better in comparison?
6. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin (7)
Bielema is hope for a Top 5 finish in the conference now, after another season has gone adrift.
7. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan (4)
Rodriquez’s team just didn’t look pathetic on Saturday, but it proved that his rebuilding plan probably took a major step backwards.
8. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern (9)
Fitzgerald’s teams never stop, as its 29-28 victory against Indiana proved. The Nittany Lions need to be ready on Saturday.
9. Bill Lynch, Indiana (10)
Lynch looks ever-closer to taking that next step, but hasn’t yet.
10. Tim Brewster, Minnesota (8)
Sorry, Tim but Minnesota isn’t very good.
11. Ron Zook, Illinois (11)
With indications that Zook will be back in ’10, Illinois fans are the true ones ranked #11. They deserve better.
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