BP Baseball's Big Ten Power Rankings (Week 12)

1. Nebraska (27-14, 10-5)

Previous Week Ranking: 1 (No Change)

Last Weekend: vs. 4 Iowa (W, 7-4 | W, 12-2 F/7 | L, 1-4)

Justification: The Cornhuskers made yet another statement last weekend with a home series win over rival Iowa. A road trip against the Golden Gophers may prove to be a trap before Indiana week.

Next Weekend: at 10 Minnesota (7:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 2:00 PM)

2. Michigan (23-21, 10-5)

Previous Week Ranking: 3 (+1)

Last Weekend: vs. Long Beach State (W, 14-7 | W, 7-5 | W, 5-4)

Justification: The Wolverines got back on track -- and over .500 for the first time this season -- after sweeping the Dirtbags. In East Lansing, they'll take on a hungry Spartans team on the cusp of Big Ten Tournament contention.

Next Weekend: at 9 Michigan State (6:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 2:00 PM)

3. Illinois (25-15, 11-4)

Previous Week Ranking: 3 (-1)

Last Weekend: at 7 Maryland (W, 7-4 | L, 8-9 | L, 7-11)

Justification: The Fighting Illini had a good day on Friday but took a dip in this week's rankings thanks to an upset in College Park. They'll be back home next week in a tough series with the Buckeyes.

Next Weekend: vs. 6 Ohio State (7:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 2:00 PM)

4. Indiana (25-18-1, 10-5)

Previous Week Ranking: 5 (+1)

Last Weekend: vs. 9 Rutgers (W, 8-3 | W, 12-6 | W, 18-6 F/7)

Justification: The Hoosiers enjoyed a pivotal series sweep over a Scarlet Knights team in a down year. They'll look to make a statement next weekend against the Boilermakers in West Lafayette.

Next Weekend: at 7 Purdue (6:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM)

5. Maryland (28-17, 8-10)

Previous Week Ranking: 7 (+2)

Last Weekend: vs. 2 Illinois (L, 4-7 | W, 9-8 | W, 11-7)

Justification: After a two-week campaign against the top 2 teams in the conference ended with a series win, the Terps deserved to jump in the rankings. They'll have a series with the Scarlet Knights next week in Piscataway that could go either way.

Next Weekend: at 11 Rutgers (6:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM)

6. Ohio State (20-20, 7-8)

Previous Week Ranking: 6 (No Change)

Last Weekend: vs. 10 Michigan State (L, 4-11 | L, 12-17 | W, 10-6)

Justification: The Buckeyes have had its ups and downs this season, but they still hold a rankings tiebreaker over Purdue. That could change next weekend against the Fighting Illini if they get swept.

Next Weekend: at 3 Illinois (7:00 PM | 4:00 PM | 2:00 PM)

7. Purdue (29-15, 11-4)

Previous Week Ranking: 8 (+1)

Last Weekend: at 13 Northwestern (W, 9-3 | W, 10-7 | W, 11-3)

Justification: The Boilermakers bounced back following a non-conference shocker, sweeping the Wildcats. The road to prove themselves kicks off with a home series against the Hoosiers.

Next Weekend: vs. 4 Indiana (6:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM)

8. Iowa (22-17, 10-8)

Previous Week Ranking: 4 (-4)

Last Weekend: at 1 Nebraska (L, 4-7 | L, 2-12 F/7 | W, 4-1)

Justification: Jekyll met Hyde as the Hawkeyes had a rough weekend in Lincoln and made them this week's biggest loser. They'll get a much-needed break against a basement Wildcat squad.

Next Weekend: vs. 13 Northwestern (7:05 PM | 3:05 PM | 2:05 PM)

9. Michigan State (19-21, 7-8)

Previous Week Ranking: 10 (+1)

Last Weekend: at 6 Ohio State (W, 6-5 | W, 11-5 | L, 9-11)

Justification: The Spartans helped move forward on their Big Ten Tournament push with a road series win over the Buckeyes. They'll need to keep the wagon train moving as they host the Wolverines.

Next Weekend: vs. 2 Michigan (6:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 2:00 PM)

10. Minnesota (19-19, 6-9)

Previous Week Ranking: 12 (+2)

Last Weekend: at 11 Penn State (L, 3-7 | W, 5-4 | W, 15-11)

Justification: The Golden Gophers have gotten back on track with a crucial road series over the Nittany Lions. They'll need to keep up the momentum next weekend against the Cornhuskers at home.

Next Weekend: vs. 1 Nebraska (5:30 PM | 12:30 PM | 12:00 PM)

11. Rutgers (24-19, 3-12)

Previous Week Ranking: 9 (-2)

Last Weekend: at 5 Indiana (L, 3-8 | L, 6-12 | L, 6-18 F/7)

Justification: To say that the Scarlet Knights have spiraled would be an understatement. Their Big Ten Tournament chances hang in the balance with a home series against the Terps next week.

Next Weekend: vs. 5 Maryland (6:30 PM | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM)

12. Penn State (20-19, 7-11)

Previous Week Ranking: 11 (-1)

Last Weekend: vs. 12 Minnesota (W, 7-3 | L, 4-5 | L, 11-15)

Justification: The Nittany Lions have now suffered their biggest disappointment of the season. An upcoming multi-team non-conference weekend will have them watching the Big Ten Tournament race from afar.

Next Weekend: at Georgetown/Navy (4:00 PM | 6:00 PM | 1:00 PM)

13. Northwestern (13-26, 2-13)

Previous Week Ranking: 13 (No Change)

Last Weekend: vs. 8 Purdue (L, 3-9 | L, 7-10 | L, 3-11)

Justification: The Wildcats have seen their postseason hopes wilt away after getting swept by the up-and-coming Boilermakers. They can still salvage part of their season as they take on the Hawkeyes next weekend.

Next Weekend: at 8 Iowa (7:05 PM | 3:05 PM | 2:05 PM)