COLUMBUS – As the Big Ten reaches the midpoint of the 2016 football season, the Buckeyes and Wolverines are where most observers expected them to be.
That is not true of some other teams.
SEE: 2016 Big Ten football schedule
Undefeated and second-ranked Ohio State and third-ranked Michigan, both 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten East) are at the top of the standings, where everyone expected them to be.
Tonight: (2) Ohio State at Penn State, 8:00 p.m./ABC
The Indiana Hoosiers (3-3, 1-2) are the conference’s biggest surprise. They’ve started to play good defense, beating Michigan State, playing the Buckeyes close into the fourth quarter and giving Nebraska a scare. Despite losing to Wake Forest at home, they will probably make a bowl for the second straight year.
The defending champion and 2015 College Football Playoff participant Michigan State Spartans (2-4, 0-3) are its biggest bust. Sparty has lost four in a row, including the 21-24 decision to the Hoosiers, and has yet to face either Ohio State or Michigan.
Nebraska leads the West, though its schedule gets significantly tougher after this week, with trips to Wisconsin, Columbus and defending division champ Iowa.
The Hawkeyes are a half-game behind and regaining traction after losing at home to North Dakota State and Northwestern.