What was expected to be an intriguing B1G West race between multiple competitors has not developed through the first 5 weeks of the season.

Entering Week 6, Iowa stands alone as the only West team left with an undefeated record at 5-0 (2-0 in B1G play). Northwestern – West champs in 2020 – is 2-3 on the year and winless in conference games while Wisconsin is 1-3 and is also without a win in the B1G.

Currently tied for second in the West are Minnesota and Purdue at 1-1 in conference action. However, both those teams have their issues and would be underdogs in a matchup with Iowa.

Iowa is likely in for a tough battle this weekend with a cross-division visit from No. 4 Penn State. But even with a loss, the outlook for the B1G West does not likely change.

According to ESPN’s FPI, Iowa is given a greater than 80% chance to win the division. Northwestern is already all but eliminated while Wisconsin’s odds of getting back into the race stand below 5%.

Here is how the FPI sees the race to Indy entering Week 6:

  • Iowa – 85.3%
  • Minnesota – 5.2%
  • Nebraska – 4.3%
  • Wisconsin – 3.3%
  • Purdue – 1.6%
  • Illinois – 0.2%
  • Northwestern – 0.1%