The Big Ten East is a two team race, while the West is Iowa’s to lose, but where does everyone rank after Week 11?
In the biggest game of the weekend No. 3 Michigan took down No. 10 Penn State to setup a winner take all game against Ohio State to end the season. The Wolverines ran the ball down the Nittany Lions throat to get the win.
On the other side of the league, Iowa scored 22 points to beat Rutgers and take complete control of the Big Ten West as they try and make the championship game for the second time in three years.
There are two weeks left in the regular season, but before we get to the games this weekend we take a look at latest power rankings.
Watch the rest of the Big Ten season on Fubo!
1. Michigan Wolverines 10-0, 7-0
The Wolverines passed their first big test of the season as they beat Penn State 24-15 in a game that wasn’t that close. The Wolverines were without head coach Jim Harbaugh who was suspended by the Big Ten less than 24 hours before the game. It didn’t matter, as the Wolverines got the win and now head to Maryland before The Game to end the year.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes 10-0, 7-0
The Buckeyes did exactly what they were supposed to do, as they beat Michigan State 38-3. Marvin Harrison Jr. put on a show and scoring two touchdowns as he tries to make a case for the Heisman trophy. A home game against Minnesota is the only thing standing in their way of an undefeated matchup with Michigan.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions 8-2, 5-2
The Nittany Lions couldn’t solve the Wolverines defense and came up short yet again against a top team. Despite that they are still the third-best team in the conference, but they are going to have to prove they can beat Michigan and Ohio State soon.
4. Iowa Hawkeyes 8-2, 5-2
The Hawkeyes just keep finding ways to win. The defense was fantastic in shutting out Rutgers and the offense went over 400 yards for the first time this year. They need just one win in their last two games to clinch the Big Ten West for a second time in three years.
5. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 6-4, 3-4
The Scarlet Knights had a chance to prove that they could beat a top team in the conference, but came up way short against the Hawkeyes. They have another shot on Saturday as they go to Penn State to take on the Nittany Lions.
6. Maryland Terrapins 6-4, 3-4
The Terrapins snapped a four-game losing streak on Saturday when they beat the Cornhuskers. The win got them bowl eligible and gave them a bit of confidence before this week’s game against No. 3 Michigan at home.
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers 5-5, 3-4
The Cornhuskers lost for a second straight week, as Maryland came to town and beat them 13-10. They still sit a win away from bowl eligibility and need to win at Wisconsin this weekend, as they finish the year with a home game against Iowa.
8. Northwestern Wildcats 5-5, 3-4
The Wildcats continued their interesting season with a 24-10 win over Wisconsin on Saturday. They have alternated wins and losses all season long and will look to finally snap that streak on Saturday against Purdue. The Wildcats will become bowl eligible with a win. That is not something anybody predicted to begin the season.
9. Purdue Boilermakers 3-7, 2-5
The Boilermakers have a worse record than the next two teams behind them, but they have blowout wins against both. They whipped Illinois 44-19 earlier this season and then they beat Minnesota 49-30 on Saturday. The win snapped a four-game losing streak, but it is too little too late, as they can’t get to six wins this year and become bowl eligible.
10. Illinois Fighting Illini 5-5, 3-4
The Fighting Illini got their second straight win on Saturday as they slipped by Indiana 48-45 in overtime. They have now won three of their last four and are a win away from bowl eligibility. It won’t be easy on Saturday as they travel to Iowa before hosting Northwestern to end the season.
11. Minnesota Golden Gophers 5-5, 3-4
Two weeks ago the Golden Gophers controlled their destiny in the Big Ten West. Since then they have lost two in a row and are needing another win to even get bowl eligible. They did not look good in losing to the Boilermakers on Saturday and now must travel to Ohio State this weekend.
12. Indiana Hoosiers 3-7, 1-6
The Hoosiers nearly got their second straight win on Saturday, but they blew an early 15-point lead and lost in overtime. They are playing better which is good, but they will not be making it to a bowl game this year.
13. Wisconsin Badgers 5-5, 3-4
The Badgers are not very good right now. Injuries have taken a toll, but they have scored 14 or fewer points in four of their last five games, all losses. The last two have been bad, as they have lost to Indiana and Northwestern. They play Nebraska and Minnesota to end the season and need a win to get bowl eligible.
14. Michigan State Spartans 3-7, 1-6
The good vibes for Michigan State beating Nebraska went away on Saturday, as the Spartans were whipped by Ohio State 38-3. They have now lost seven of their last eight games and will miss a bowl this year. They head to Indiana this weekend before they play Penn State at Ford Field to end the season.
Watch the rest of the Big Ten season on Fubo!
