BP Baseball's Big Ten Power Rankings (Week 7)

#1 Maryland (18-6, 2-1)

Previous Week Ranking: #1 (No Change)

Last Weekend: vs. #11 Michigan State (W, 7-6 F/10 | L, 2-5 | W, 5-4 F/10)

Justification: The Terrapins extended their conference series win streak to 18 after using extra innings to scrape past #11 Michigan State. A proven-tested Maryland squad heads to Ann Arbor to take on a hungry-again Michigan team.

Next Weekend: at #5 Michigan (4:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 12:00 PM)

#2 Nebraska (17-5, 0-0)

Previous Week Ranking: #3 (+1)

Last Weekend: vs. New Mexico State (W, 14-2 | W, 2-1)

Justification: The Cornhuskers get ready to open up conference play after a hot start through their first 22 games. #13 Northwestern could prove to be a trap for a Nebraska team looking to get a national rank.

Next Weekend: at #13 Northwestern (4:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 2:00 PM)

#3 Iowa (11-10, 2-1)

Previous Week Ranking: #4 (+1)

Last Weekend: at #10 Purdue (L, 3-10 | W, 4-3 | W, 9-6)

Justification: All-American ace Brody Brecht faced fire in the Boilermaker bats on Friday, but the Hawkeyes recovered and eventually took the series. They'll take on a #12 Minnesota team fresh off of a West Coast series win.

Next Weekend: vs. #12 Minnesota (5:05 PM | 3:05 PM | 2:05 PM)

#4 Indiana (12-12, 1-2)

Previous Week Ranking: #2 (-2)

Last Weekend: vs. #7 Illinois (L, 1-9 | W, 8-1 | L, 8-15)

Justification: The Hoosiers took a tumble last weekend following an embarrassing home defeat against #7 Illinois. They'll look to bounce back in a non-conference showdown.

Next Weekend: vs. Butler [10-12, Big East] (5:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 6:00 PM)

#5 Michigan (9-15, 2-1)

Previous Week Ranking: #8 (+3)

Last Weekend: at #8 Penn State (L, 3-4 | W, 9-6 | W, 11-6)

Justification: The Wolverines are much better than their record, and they proved just that with a series win to open up conference play. They'll host Maryland looking to break an 18-week conference series win streak.

Next Weekend: vs. #1 Maryland (4:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 12:00 PM)

#6 Rutgers (17-7, 0-0)

Previous Week Ranking: #7 (+1)

Last Weekend: vs. UConn (W, 3-0 | W, 13-6 | L, 1-5)

Justification: Before Sunday, the Scarlet Knights boasted a 7-game winning streak. #11 Michigan State should prove to be a good road challenge.

Next Weekend: at #11 Michigan State (3:35 PM | 3:35 PM | 1:05 PM)

#7 Illinois (10-12, 2-1)

Previous Week Ranking: #10 (+3)

Last Weekend: at #4 Indiana (W, 9-1 | L, 1-8 | W, 15-8)

Justification: The Fighting Illini made a statement last weekend, taking down the Hoosiers in Bloomington. Next up, the Nittany Lions come to town, looking to bounce back from a series loss.

Next Weekend: vs. #8 Penn State (7:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM)

#8 Penn State (12-9, 1-2)

Previous Week Ranking: #6 (-2)

Last Weekend: vs. #5 Michigan (W, 4-3 | L, 6-9 | L, 6-11)

Justification: The Nittany Lions struggled on the pitching side of things last weekend. They'll have a new opportunity to right their wrongs on the road this week.

Next Weekend: at #7 Illinois (7:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 3:00 PM)

#9 Ohio State (10-11, 0-0)

Previous Week Ranking: #5 (-4)

Last Weekend: vs Samford (L, 1-5 | W, 6-1 | W, 13-12 F/10 | L, 10-11)

Justification: The Buckeyes' sharp drop in the rankings is accredited to the shocking sweep for Georgetown over them on the road. Their homestand comes to a close against a #10 Purdue team out for revenge.

Next Weekend: vs. #10 Purdue (6:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM)

#10 Purdue (16-9, 1-2)

Previous Week Ranking: #9 (-1)

Last Weekend: vs. #3 Iowa (W, 10-3 | L, 3-4 | L, 6-9)

Justification: Purdue showed great strides in taking down All-American ace Brody Brecht on Friday, but they didn't have enough left in the tank for Saturday and Sunday. The Boilermakers have another shot at redemption this week on the road against the Buckeyes.

Next Weekend: at #9 Ohio State (6:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM)

#11 Michigan State (9-12, 1-2)

Previous Week Ranking: #11 (No Change)

Last Weekend: at #1 Maryland (L, 6-7 F/10 | W, 5-2 | L, 4-5 F/10)

Justification: The Spartans had a tough draw in the first week of conference play, but it won't help them in the rankings. They'll host #6 Rutgers, hoping to gain some ground on their home turf.

Next Weekend: vs. #6 Rutgers (3:35 PM | 3:35 PM | 1:05 PM)

#12 Minnesota (9-10, 0-0)

Previous Week Ranking: #12 (No Change)

Last Weekend: at San Francisco (L, 4-6 | W, 12-10 | W, 12-6)

Justification: The Gophers bounced back in the final 2 games of their weekend non-conference finale. The road doesn't get any easier, however, as their road trip will continue against #3 Iowa

Next Weekend: at #3 Iowa (5:05 PM | 3:05 PM | 2:05 PM)

#13 Northwestern (10-11, 0-0)

Previous Week Ranking: #13 (No Change)

Last Weekend: at McNeese (W, 12-4 | L, 0-1 | L, 3-6)

Justification: No one would have predicted the Wildcats to have 10 wins before the beginning of conference play, but Ben Greenspan has them rolling. #2 Nebraska poses a big challenge for them in their weekend home opener.

Next Weekend: vs. #2 Nebraska (4:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 2:00 PM)