Ohio State passed The Iowa Test, Curt Cignetti appears to be right about Northwestern and we have a fascinating matchup this week on the West Coast.

The conference is beginning to separate itself more comfortably into tiers. Wisconsin and Minnesota firm up what appears to be an increasingly healthy middle class. Ohio State and Indiana pace the contenders, with Iowa, Oregon and (yes, you're reading right) UCLA in behind. Washington, Penn State and Illinois will not appreciate their current trajectories.

We're into the meat of the league schedule now, with tantalizing games coming up in the next few weeks. Let's look at how things are shaping up:

1. Ohio State (4-1, 2-0)

Last week (1): 31-14 win at Iowa

This week: Maryland, Oct. 10

What to know: The Power Rankings recently suggested Jeremiah Smith is the frontrunner for Big Ten Player of the Year. That statement was disrespectful, and made in error, and The Power Rankings would like to retract it, with apology for its lack of respect. Jeremiah Smith is the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy.

2. Indiana (5-0, 2-0)

Last week (2): 47-15 win at Rutgers

This week: at Nebraska, Oct. 10

What to know: Even allowing for the opposition, this was Indiana's most complete performance of the season. Now, the schedule toughens. Indiana's rushing attack looks ready.

3. Iowa (4-1, 1-1)

Last week (3): 31-14 loss to Ohio State

This week: at Washington, Oct. 9 (Friday)

What to know: We're not going to punish Iowa much for the OSU loss, especially given teams were idle behind the Hawkeyes. They could still make a statement with a win in Seattle.

4. Oregon (3-1, 1-0)

Last week (4): Bye

This week: UCLA, Oct. 10

What to know: The bye came at an opportune time, giving Dylan Raiola an extra week to prepare as the Ducks' starting quarterback. We're reading between lines but at this point it looks like he'll be behind center.

5. UCLA (4-0, 2-0)

Last week (5): Bye

This week: at Oregon, Oct. 10

What to know: The game of the year we didn't see coming in the Big Ten's Pacific division. If UCLA's ground attack can move Oregon around, the Bruins have a chance. A win puts them in discussion for Indianapolis.

6. Northwestern (3-1, 1-1)

Last week (8): 34-13 win vs. Penn State

This week: Ball State, Oct. 10

What to know: The Wildcats' option-heavy ground game punished Penn State. There's a very real path for Northwestern to 6-1 heading into a Halloween road trip to Eugene.

7. Nebraska (5-0, 2-0)

Last week (6): 48-23 win vs. Maryland

This week: Indiana, Oct. 10

What to know: The Huskers toiled early before breezing past Maryland. It's hard to believe, but a win Saturday would be Nebraska's first against a top-10 team since 2015.

8. USC (5-1, 2-1)

Last week (7): 25-21 win vs. Washington

This week: at Penn State, Oct. 10

What to know: It should mean something that Southern Cal won with defense. Keep that rolling through State College this weekend and we can talk about the Trojans rejoining the race to Indy.

9. Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0)

Last week (10): 31-3 win vs. Michigan State

This week: Bye

What to know: Wisconsin's defense has allowed just 42 points in its last four games, with 18 tackles for loss.

10. Minnesota (4-1, 2-0)

Last week (12): 20-14 win vs. Michigan

This week: at Purdue, Oct. 10

What to know: Statistically speaking, Minnesota's defensive front rivals any in the conference. Big tests are coming though: The Gophers' next three opponents after Purdue are all ranked.

11. Washington (3-2, 0-2)

Last week (13): 25-21 loss at USC

This week: Iowa, Oct. 9 (Friday)

What to know: The Huskies are dead last in the conference in third-down conversion rate. Hard to win on the road doing 29% there.

12. Michigan (3-2, 0-2)

Last week (9): 20-14 loss at Minnesota

This week: Bye

What to know: The Wolverines need a week off in the worst way. That might not be enough time to fix this offense though.

13. Purdue (2-3, 1-1)

Last week (17): 42-19 win vs. Illinois

This week: Minnesota, Oct. 10

What to know: Hard not to be happy for Barry Odom and crew. Illinois is a bit of a mess right now, but Purdue earned every bit of its win in Champaign.

14. Penn State (3-2, 0-2)

Last week (11): 34-13 loss at Northwestern

This week: USC, Oct. 10

What to know: Matt Campbell deserves time in State College. But when his fans have watched Curt Cignetti and Bob Chesney more successfully execute the same kind of culture transplant, he's not going to get it.

15. Illinois (2-3, 0-2)

Last week (14): 24-17 loss vs. Purdue

This week: at Michigan State, Oct. 10

What to know: Bret Bielema sounded like a coach who saw this performance dip coming. Saturday's game in East Lansing feels like the Woebegone Bowl.

16. Michigan State (2-3, 0-2)

Last week (15): 31-3 loss at Wisconsin

This week: Illinois, Oct. 10

What to know: If the Spartans don't win, they might be waiting awhile, with Northwestern up next, followed by trips to UCLA and Michigan.

17. Maryland (2-3, 0-2)

Last week (16): 48-23 loss at Nebraska

This week: at Ohio State, Oct. 10

What to know: It feels increasingly like Mike Locksley's time is running out in College Park.

18. Rutgers (1-4, 0-2)

Last week (18): 47-15 loss vs. Indiana

This week: Bye

What to know: The Scarlet Knights have some skill talent, but there's not nearly enough up front to sustain anything good right now.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Northwestern rising, Michigan falling and another Heisman? Big Ten power rankings after Week 5

Source: Yahoo Sports