Conference Power Rankings: Big Ten remains on top

It took five weeks, but the power rankings finally have a conference that's retained its spot at the top of the list.

For the second week in a row, and the third overall, the Big Ten takes home the coveted honor of leading the power rankings, this time being made a unanimous selection by the voting panel.

The rankings were pretty much unchanged for the most part this week, with the only real move coming for the SEC, as it jumped up to grab a share of second with the ACC. Then there's the poor Sun Belt, which continued to take up residency in the power ranking's basement in what is starting to look like a permanent home.

How the results are calculated: Six editors submit their rankings. Every first-place vote is worth 10 points, each second-place vote is worth nine, and so on. Voting isn't based simply on performance, but also on external factors like injuries to key teams and strength of schedule. Last week's rankings are in brackets.

1. Big Ten (1)

At this point it's impossible to deny just how dominant the Big Ten has proven to be in 2016. While Michigan State may not have looked as strong as previously believed, the Spartans' loss was Wisconsin's gain, with the Badgers proving they need to be taken seriously as a contender.

With three teams ranked in the top eight of the AP poll (Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and six teams still undefeated, the Big Ten is currently in a league of its own.

T2. SEC (3)

After three straight weeks at No. 3 following a disastrous opening weekend for the conference, the SEC has begun to creep its way back up and earned a tie for second. The SEC was a perfect 4-0 against nonconference opponents this week, though didn't exactly face stiff competition.

Still, the SEC is home to the nation's No. 1 team (Alabama) and seven teams total ranked in the AP poll - two more than any other conference

T2. ACC (2)

It's hard to knock the ACC after it's member teams won all eight nonconference games in Week 4, although one of its major players will be taking a blow this week.

Louisville and Clemson - ranked third and fifth, respectively, in the AP poll - will square off Saturday night, making it likely the ACC will no longer feature a pair of top-five teams once next week's poll comes out.

4. Pac-12 (4)

Like the ACC, the Pac-12 will see its two highest-rated teams meet on the same field this week. No. 7 Stanford and No. 10 Washington will battle Friday night, with the winner emerging as the conference's best shot at reaching the College Football Playoff.

The Pac-12 may have just three ranked teams like the Big 12, but doesn't appear to be in danger of being overtaken for the fourth spot anytime soon.

5. Big 12 (5)

With each passing week, a playoff appearance seems to be less and less likely for whoever emerges as the Big 12 champion. Yes, Baylor and West Virginia remain undefeated, but none of the Mountaineers' wins have been particularly compelling and it's going to be tough to earn extra credit for conference wins when so many voters see the Big 12 as being in a down year.

At No. 13, Baylor remains the Big 12's highest-ranked team, which just isn't good enough for a Power 5 conference.

6. AAC (6)

Houston blowouts have become commonplace at this point and other than an interesting game against Navy in two weeks, the only real question mark on the Cougars' schedule is the highly-anticipated Nov. 17 showdown against Louisville.

Outside of sixth-ranked Houston, the AAC lacks any other ranked teams, but a Group of 5 sitting inside the top 10, especially this early, is ultra impressive.

7. Mountain West (7)

The Mountain West now boasts something the AAC can't: a pair of ranked teams. With Boise State debuting on the AP poll at No. 24, the Broncos joined 19th-ranked San Diego State to make the Mountain West a formidable presence, at least at the top of the conference.

8. MAC (8)

With Virginia picking up its first win under Bronco Mendenhall against Central Michigan, only Western Michigan and Toledo remain undefeated in the MAC. While either one could potentially run the table, don't expect to see anyone from the Mountain West making playoff noise.

9. Conference USA (9)

Conference USA went a combined 0-5 last week in nonconference games and does not have any undefeated teams, but even that wasn't enough for the Sun Belt to move up.

10. Sun Belt (10)

The good news? The Sun Belt went 3-4 in nonconference play during Week 4. The bad news? One of those wins - and one of the losses - came against FCS opponents, which kept the Sun Belt from overtaking Conference USA

theScore's conference power rankings will be released every Wednesday during the regular season. This week's edition was voted on by Michael Amato, Dane Belbeck, Alex Chippin, Michael deCourcy, Mike Dickson, and Dylan Perego. The full vote count is paired with the rankings below.