Who is the real No. 2? Penn State tries to change the narrative vs. Ohio State: Big Ten Power Poll

It's one thing to earn a No. 3 national ranking in all the major polls.

It's to be the clear-cut No. 2 in the only ranking system that matters – PennLive's Big Ten Power Poll.

James Franklin's unbeaten Penn State team is No. 2 here for the moment, but the Nittany Lions have to beat a long-time nemesis this week to stay there.

If PSU can do that, the top spot could eventually belong to Franklin's guys.

Let the ranking process commence.

BOTTOM FIVE

This week, we will finally get our answer to the question: What happens when the No. 132 total offense in FBS (Northwestern) collides with the No. 123 total defense (Purdue) in West Lafayette?

Greg Schiano's Scarlet Knights have a week off to fix some serious defensive issues. Rutgers has allowed a total of 119 points in their last three games, losses to Wisconsin (42-7), UCLA (35-32) and Southern California (42-20).

Lose to Northwestern by 27, beat USC by 1, lose to Minnesota by 25. Got it. The Terps visit Oregon on the road in two weeks.

MIDDLE NINE

The total in the Iowa-Wisconsin tilt in Iowa City on Saturday is 40.5 points. C'mon. Someone is winning this thing 16-10.

Matt Rhule's team showed gumption in pushing Ohio State to the limit in Columbus before falling 21-17 last Saturday. Less gumption be required to beat UCLA in Lincoln this week. Way, way less.

Check out this stretch of Michigan State games: at Boston College, Ohio State, at Oregon, Iowa, at Michigan. Brutal, right? The Spartans have taken their lumps this season. Now they get to host unbeaten Indiana on Saturday.

Speaking of Oregon, the Ducks visit the Wolverines this week after smashing Illinois 38-9 in Eugene last Saturday. Michigan scored seven points against the Fighting Illini on Oct. 19.

The Badgers are headed in the right direction, but it's tough to win big games without a difference-maker at quarterback. Wisconsin, held to 13 points in a home loss to Penn State last Saturday, have scored a total of 33 points in their last three games against the Nittany Lions.

FAB FOUR

Will starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke return for IU's game at Michigan State on Saturday? Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti is hopeful. Rourke, who has a right thumb injury, has thrown for 1,941 yards and 15 touchdowns. Without him, IU ran 52 times for 188 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-17 victory over Washington in Bloomington last week.

The Buckeyes invade State College this week. By the way, it's also Will Howard's homecoming game. Ohio State's quarterback evidently feels like he has something to prove. The Buckeyes' left tackle, whoever it is in this one, also has something to prove.

Will it be Drew Allar or Beau Pribula at quarterback for the Lions against Ohio State? Will edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton play? How about right tackle Anthony Donkoh? James Franklin's team is dealing with significant injury questions heading into the team's biggest game of the year. Unbeaten Penn State also owns road wins over West Virginia, USC and Wisconsin. Also, also: The Lions are 1-9 in their last 10 vs. That Team To The West.

It's tempting to forget that Oregon didn't look all that dangerous in its first two games, beating Idaho 24-14 and Boise State 37-34. One issue that has been cleaned up: After allowing seven sacks in the first two games, the Ducks have allowed just three in their last six contests. Yes, we are watching you closely, Dan Lanning.

PENNLIVE'S BIG TEN POWER POLL