1. Michigan State

The Spartans welcomed the red-hot Badgers into East Lansing this past weekend and sent them home with two losses to take over the top spot in this week’s Power Rankings. Michigan State continues to play their up-tempo games and other teams just can’t keep up.

2. Wisconsin

Despite getting swept this weekend, the Badger’s body of work prior is enough to keep them afloat and only fall one spot. Look for them to justify their second-place spot with a couple of wins this weekend.

3. Notre Dame

After finally playing some high-level competition, the Irish proved they can skate with talented teams. They outplayed Minnesota in both games this weekend, but could only come away with one win. What they lack in goal-front scoring, they make up for in hustle and forecheck.

4. Minnesota

The Gophers split the series with Notre Dame, but they still have periods of uninspired play. It seems they can score with the flick of a wrist, though, and sometimes seem to rely on luck and puck bounces instead of determination and work ethic to guide them to victory.

5. Michigan

After splitting the series with Penn State this weekend, Michigan takes a tumble in the rankings. Their fifth-spot is less about what they’re doing and more about what others are doing, though. The Wolverines aren’t impressively good or bad so far this season.

6. Penn State

The Nittany Lions hold steady at #6, but have increased their distance from last place. Like Michigan, Penn State is not a stand-out team – yet. They’re still building their identity, but are good enough to win some games while doing so.

7. Ohio State

On a positive note, the Buckeyes didn’t lose this weekend. On a realistic note, they didn’t have any games on the schedule. Barring an impressive (read: improbable) turn-around, this season looks bleak for Ohio State.