Big Ten Power Ranking: Ohio State, Penn State finish 1-2

(Video courtesy of Big Ten Network)

Here's CBSSports.com Rapid Reports Big Ten power ranking:

1. Ohio State (12-0, 8-0): Despite their undefeated conference record, the Buckeyes were left sitting idle in Columbus during the Big Ten Championship Game as part of their NCAA sanctions. Had the Buckeyes been eligible and won the Big Ten title, it's very likely they'd be playing Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship. Instead, a number of players took to their Twitter accounts to voice their displeasure about a five-loss Wisconsin team winning the conference title. An undefeated season is still rare and should be celebrated, but coach Urban Meyer has likely already turned his attention towards repeating the feat next year. Last week's ranking: 1. Next up: Season over.

2. Penn State (8-4, 6-2): The Nittany Lions' season is done as well but nothing can be taken away from what Bill O'Brien, the Big Ten Coach of the Year, did with this team. After losing the first two games of the season, Penn State lost at Nebraska -- the Legends Division winner -- and against Ohio State. That's it. They played through injuries, depth issues, numerous transfers, intense media scrutiny, and then had to hear rumors of O'Brien's impending departure. While the latter will probably persist until next season's kickoff, O'Brien has said he intends to stay in Happy Valley. Last week's ranking: 3. Next up: Season over.

3. Wisconsin (8-5, 4-4): No team is harder to peg than the Badgers and the fact that a five-loss team is heading to the Rose Bowl (the first time ever) is indicative of how wacky the conference has been this year. The Badgers lost three of their last four games heading into the Big Ten Championship, but all were in overtime and two were against the two best teams in the conference. Their only nonconference loss came against Oregon State, which finished the season 15th in the country. Five losses doesn't look pretty, but no one can argue with how Wisconsin dismantled Nebraska 70-31 in the conference title game behind a school-record eight rushing touchdowns. Last week's ranking: 6. Next up: Rose Bowl vs. No. 8 Stanford, Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN).

4. Michigan (8-4, 6-2): Bowl opponent South Carolina has been battle-tested in the SEC and has won four straight games. Its defense is ranked 13th in the country and the defensive line is faster than any in the Big Ten. The Wolverines do have time on their side and it will be interesting to see how coach Brady Hoke incorporates Denard Robinson into the offensive plans. For reputation's sake, let's just hope it's not as one-sided as the first time the Wolverines played an SEC team this season. Last week's ranking: 4. Next up: Outback Bowl vs. No. 11 South Carolina, Jan. 1, p.m. ET (ESPN).

5. Nebraska (10-3, 7-1): Coach Bo Pelini said shock doesn't even begin to describe how he felt following last Saturday's 39-point drubbing to Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. The Huskers are extremely fortunate that they didn't fall below the Capital One Bowl in terms of the bowl selection pecking order. It will be hard to give the Huskers the benefit of the doubt, though, should they get hammered by Georgia, which narrowly missed out on the BCS National Championship game. Last week's ranking: 2. Next up: Capital One Bowl vs. No. 6 Georgia, Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET (ABC).

6. Northwestern (9-3, 5-3): The Wildcats can thank the Huskers and the Wolverines for bumping them down to the Gator Bowl with a matchup against Mississippi State, a significantly less sexy opponent than South Carolina. Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier took a jab at the Wildcats when he said, “If you beat or you get beat by Northwestern, you don't achieve as much as playing Michigan.” In other words, you won't get as much national exposure as you would if you played the Wolverines. He's probably right, but had the Wildcats taken care of business and beaten either Michigan or Nebraska, the Wildcats might've gotten a crack at Spurrier. Last week's ranking: 5. Next up: Gator Bowl vs. Mississippi State, Jan 1, noon ET (ESPN2).

7. Purdue (6-6, 3-5): The Boilermakers have come a long way from a 3-6 team following the Nov. 3 loss to Penn State. Purdue, which will play Oklahoma State in the Heart of Texas Bowl, will make consecutive bowl appearances for the first time since 2006-07. Last week's ranking: 7. Next up: Heart of Texas Bowl vs. Oklahoma State, Jan. 1, noon ET (ESPNU).

8. Michigan State (6-6, 3-5): The Spartans are an odd team. Their season began with national championship aspirations but will ultimately end against TCU before New Year's Day. Both teams have stingy defenses, and the game could come down to an effective rushing attack (edge Spartans) and special teams play. Last week's ranking: 8. Next up: Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl vs. TCU, Dec. 29, 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN).

9. Minnesota (6-6, 2-6): The Gophers are thrilled to be bowling for the first time since 2009. Minnesota desperately needs a rest and will get it from now until Dec. 28 when it meets Texas Tech's high-powered passing offense in the Heart of Texas Bowl. The Gophers allow just 178 passing yards per game, the 11th-fewest in the country. Last week's ranking: 9. Next up: Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. Texas Tech, Dec. 28, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN).

10. Indiana (4-8, 2-6): The Hoosiers ended their season two weeks ago with a loss to Purdue and missed out on a bowl for the fifth straight season. Last week's ranking: 10. Next up: Season over.

11. Iowa (4-8, 2-6): The only saving grace about this year's Iowa team is that it can say it beat Northern Illinois 18-17 in the opening week of the season. The Huskies busted the BCS deadlock as a non-AQ and will face Florida State in the Orange Bowl. Last week's ranking: 11. Next up: Season's over.

12. Illinois (2-10, 0-8): The best thing about the season for the Fighting Illini is that it's over. Last week's ranking: 12. Next up: Season over.

For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.