Big Ten week 5 power rankings: The East, including Penn State, is dominating

The Michigan State Spartans currently sit at the top of the Big Ten standings with a 2-0 record in conference play.

As mentioned before, they used  a punt return touchdown to tie things up with Nebraska before getting the best of the Cornhuskers in over time, 23-20.

The Spartans did not look good for much of this game. Nebraska outgained them 442-254 and needed the punt return and a costly Adrian Martinez turnover in overtime to pull this one out.

Kenneth Walker and the powerful Michigan State running attack were held in check for the most part, as he had just 61 yards on 19 carries. Payton Thorne did not set the world on fire this time, but he did what he had to do to get his team the win. He went 14-23 for 183 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Despite giving up 442 yards, the Spartans defense played well, sacking Martinez seven times and picking him off when it mattered most.

With Western Kentucky up next, the Spartans should be 5-0 and be looked at as a real threat in the East.