The College Football Playoff committee, in its first rankings, showed adequate respect for the Big Ten. The league matches the SEC with three teams placed in the top 10. It's a better hand than the one dealt to the Big 12 -- with none of its three undefeated teams placed higher than sixth. What's important to know at the outset of November is that the Big Ten's schedule is backloaded, and if a champion survives with a perfect record, it will almost certainly make the four-team playoff.
Record: 8-0 overall, 4-0 Big Ten
Rank: 3
Next big obstacle: With apologies to Minnesota and Illinois, which have played well at times, everything rides on Nov.