College football's top two defenses are in Big Ten East

Ohio State and Michigan football have something else to fight about this season.

For the third consecutive week, Ohio State has the nation's best opponent-adjusted defensive rating, holding its lead after limiting Indiana — which entered its Oct. 8 game vs. the Buckeyes with college football's 22nd-best opponent-adjusted offense — to a season-low 281 yards.

Meanwhile, Michigan’s defense jumped ahead of Clemson for the No. 2 adjusted defensive ranking this week after allowing only 39 yards against Rutgers in Week 6. Though Rutgers is not a top-ranked team, it did average 333 yards per game during the first five weeks of the season.

When comparing the opposition of Ohio State and Michigan, there are many similarities. Both schools have played only FBS opponents in non-conference play, both have dominant performances against Rutgers, and both schools have similar strength of schedules. Based on the Cody Kellner Points Index computer rankings, Ohio State has a strength of schedule ranking of No. 35 while Michigan has played the 22nd-toughest slate in the nation.

The key game in the Big Ten this week will be Ohio State at Wisconsin with Ohio State’s top ranked defense lining up against a Wisconsin opponent-adjusted offense that is ranked 70th in the FBS. Though the overall Kellner ratings ratings have both teams in the top 10, Wisconsin has relied tremendously on its defense to this point, while Ohio State has been explosive on both sides of the football. The Wisconsin offense must have its best performance of the season to have a chance in giving Ohio State its first loss.

The top 25 teams in opponent-adjusted offense and opponent-adjusted defense are listed below. Offensive rating = opposing defense overall rating + yards gained. Defensive rating = opposing offense overall rating - yards allowed.

Overall ratings are determined by an average of each team's game-by-game rating.