This was a week in which a few of the Big Ten’s top teams reminded us that they were, in fact, top teams. And a few hopefuls weren’t able to meet the challenge of knocking off a big dog. Not even close.

Here is 1 takeaway from each team in Week 5:

Ohio State — C.J. Stroud puts to rest any doubts about QB position

It’s been a tough couple weeks for Ohio State, with a couple subpar performances against Oregon and Tulsa mixed in with a strange scene on the sideline last week against Akron, but all is well after C.J. Stroud delivered a performance fitting of an Ohio State QB, completing 17 of 23 passes for 330 yards and 5 TDs, 4 of which came in the first half. Stroud has been dogged by a shoulder injury, which is why he sat out last week, but if this is how Stroud is going to play, the No. 11 Buckeyes (4-1) are favorites in the Big Ten, no question.

Iowa — The offense is making strides

The attention will be on the 6 turnovers forced by this relentless Iowa defense (and special teams) in the 51-14 win over previously unbeaten Maryland, but I was struck by how put together this Hawkeye offense looked. Spencer Petras wasn’t perfect by any means, but Iowa’s passing attack is starting to round into shape. After Petras threw for 259 yards and 3 TDs, it feels strange to say that I’m more concerned with Iowa’s rushing attack (Tyler Goodson had 66 yards on 19 carries). Clearly, Goodson doesn’t have a problem juking defenders, but the run blocking needs to improve.

Michigan — Wolverines don’t have to run well to win

This was the ultimate test for that theory, since Wisconsin boasted the No. 1 run defense in the country coming in. And indeed, No. 14 Michigan didn’t run it particularly well, with a long of 8 yards. That’s 2 weeks in a row that the Wolverines didn’t really light it up on the ground, and yet they were able to pull it out. Cade McNamara played very well, but once again, J.J. McCarthy kind of stole the show with this 56-yard dime to Daylen Baldwin.

I’ll admit, I was a little confused with how Michigan used McCarthy randomly in the second half when the game was still close and McNamara was playing so well. Either way, both of these guys have played well. Maybe Jim Harbaugh has his quarterback(s)?

Penn State — Running attack is more balanced

I like that Penn State got Noah Cain, John Lovett and Keyvone Lee between 8-11 carries each in the 24-0 win over Indiana. I don’t know if Cain, coming off a lost season due to injury, is quite ready to be a workhorse. When you have depth, you may as well use it.

Nebraska — This version of the Huskers is the second-best in the West

Is it wrong to get a little excited about what Nebraska did, even if it was at home against a Northwestern team that recently lost to Duke? I don’t think so. The Huskers dominated in winning 56-7, racking up 657 total yards, including 427 on the ground. No one wants to be the second-best team in the West, and I think Nebraska could be it. We’ll know a lot more next week when Michigan comes to town, but it has to hurt knowing the Huskers (3-3) are a few plays away from potentially being 6-0.

Wisconsin — This is not a good football team

That’s the only conclusion after yet another mistake-filled performance. Yeah, the schedule has been tough, but Wisconsin is nowhere near being a Top-25 team. After putting up only 210 yards, allowing 6 sacks and turning the ball over 3 more times, it’s clear that Wisconsin is at best the No. 7 or No. 8 team in the B1G. It will win some games in the West because no one aside from Iowa is very good, but don’t let that fool you. The Badgers are playing very poorly and would be losing to most B1G teams right now.

Michigan State — Spartans need to tighten up defense to be true East contenders

It’s hard to be too critical of No. 17 Michigan State (5-0), even after a 48-31 win in which it led by 29 going into the fourth quarter. But giving up 560 total yards is too much, especially to a Group of 5 program. Fortunately, the Spartans have an offense to match that sort of output, as Kenneth Walker III, Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed are big plays waiting to happen.

Minnesota — Good luck trying to figure this team out

It feels like by now, we have a pretty good idea of what we’re going to get week in, week out from most teams. Not Minnesota. The latest bit of evidence was the Golden Gophers’ 20-13 win at Purdue in which they pitched a shutout in the second half. When Ohio State comes to town, Minnesota competes. When a MAC team like Miami (OH) or Bowling Green comes to town, Minnesota flounders. When Minnesota goes on the road against Power 5 teams like Colorado or Purdue, it flourishes. Tanner Morgan got some of his mojo back with 3 completions over 30 yards after having only 4 in the first 4 games.

Purdue — What happened to Jeff Brohm’s explosive offense?

Remember when Purdue averaged over 30 points per game in 2018? Through 5 games, the Boilermakers are down to 23.6 this season after a third straight game of scoring 13 points. Purdue attempted 52 passes and ran 86 plays. That’s a whole lot of work for 13 points.

Maryland and Rutgers — They just aren’t quite ready to take on the big dogs

Maryland and Rutgers have been 2 of the best stories in the B1G this season, but Week 5 was a painful reminder that these guys just aren’t ready to compete with the B1G’s best quite yet.

If you’re a Maryland fan, maybe you were mentally prepared for what transpired Friday night against Iowa, but if you’re not, the 51-14 loss to No. 5 Iowa was a rude reminder: Maryland is still a ways away from being a legit contender in the B1G. The 4-0 start was great, but in a highly anticipated game, Maryland turned the ball over 6 times and was dominated in every way. It’s as if head coach Mike Locksley encouraged Taulia Tagovailoa to just keep slinging it, because that was a learning experience all the way.

Rutgers, meanwhile, has allowed at least 49 points to Ohio State in all 8 meetings, with the latest being a 52-13 drubbing at home. This is the second week in a row the Scarlet Knights have gotten off to a terrible start and dug themselves a big hole.

Indiana — It’s time to go with Jack Tuttle

At this point, what more do you need to see from Michael Penix Jr.? It’s unfortunate, because he was one of the best stories of the 2020 season, but after completing only 10 of 22 passes for 118 yards and an INT in the 24-0 loss to No. 4 Penn State, it’s time to give a start to Tuttle, who won at Wisconsin last year.

Illinois — It’s anyone’s guess who will lead this Illini backfield

Each week, it’s someone new. Mike Epstein, Reggie Love, Jordan McCray and Chase Brown all led Illinois in rushing during the first 4 games. In the Illini’s 24-14 win over Charlotte, Brown exploded for 257 yards and 2 TDs.

Northwestern — This season is officially about development

There were a few murmurs in the media about not counting out the Wildcats this year, even after it only returned 8 starters. Well, I’m counting them out. Northwestern (2-3) is 0-3 against Power 5 opponents, and it would be a minor miracle if this group gets bowl eligible. This season should now be about how to contend in the West next season. Northwestern is an every-other-year type program anyways, right?