Who tops the Big Ten after a week seven that saw a couple of upsets?
The Big Ten is about to get a shake-up as Penn State heads to Columbus to take on Ohio State this weekend. That game will go a long way to see who is at the top of the Big Ten East, but the Big Ten West may have been wrapped up last week.
Before we get to the huge matchup on Saturday we take a look at this weeks power rankings.
1. Michigan Wolverines – 7-0, 4-0 in the Big Ten
Last Week 1
The Wolverines got off to a slow start against Indiana on Saturday and trailed 7-0 after the first quarter. It didn’t last long, though, as the Wolverines scored 52 points over the next three quarters to win running away. Most of the starters once again didn’t play in the fourth quarter. Next up is a date with rival Michigan State on Saturday night.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes – 6-0, 3-0
Last Week 2
The Buckeyes got an easy win over Purdue on Saturday on the road in what could have been a trap game. The Buckeyes have had their trouble in West Lafayette in the past, but jumped up early and never looked back. Next up is their massive game with Penn State. Win that game and they will just have the Michigan hurdle to get over to get back to the Big Ten Championship game.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions – 6-0, 3-0
Last Week 3
The Nittany Lions basically had a second straight bye week as they walked all over UMass on Saturday winning 63-0. That game went as expected, but now they head to Columbus for possibly the biggest game of the season so far. The Nittany Lions have struggled against the top two teams in the Big Ten, but get a chance to prove they are better this year.
4. Iowa Hawkeyes – 6-1, 3-1
Last Week 6
The Hawkeyes offense continues to struggle, but they did just enough to beat Wisconsin on Saturday. Holding the Badgers to just six points also helps. The Hawkeyes now have a clear path to the Big Ten West title as they are two games clear of every other team in the division.
5. Wisconsin Badgers – 4-2, 2-1
Last Week 4
The Badgers couldn’t solve the Hawkeyes defense and despite giving up just 15 points they took the loss. The Badgers now need to win out and have Iowa lose twice or their chances of getting back to the Big Ten Championship game will be dead. It won’t be easy, though, as they play Ohio State at home in two weeks.
6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights – 5-2, 2-2
Last Week 7
The Scarlet Knights erased an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to Michigan State on Saturday to get a 27-24 win. They scored three touchdowns in a five-minute stretch to shock the Spartans and even their Big Ten record. The Scarlet Knights will get tested soon last they will play Ohio State, Iowa and Penn State in three straight games.
7. Maryland Terrapins – 5-2, 2-2
Last Week 5
The Terrapins suffered a bad loss on Saturday as they fell victim to Illinois. The Fighting Illini were winless in the Big Ten, but the Terrapins couldn’t get much going in the loss. A week after leading Ohio State in the second half, Maryland suffered a hangover and dropped their second straight game.
8. Northwestern Wildcats – 3-3, 1-2
Last Week 8
The Wildcats had a bye on Saturday and will head to Nebraska on Saturday to see if they can get their second Big Ten win. The Wildcats are a bit of a surprise at 3-3 on the season and they continue to get the nod after getting a comeback win over Minnesota three weeks ago.
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers – 3-3, 1-2
Last Week 9
The Golden Gophers also had a bye on Saturday as they try and regroup from a 52-10 loss to Michigan two weeks ago. They head to No. 24 Iowa on Saturday looking to keep their hopes alive to win the Big Ten West.
10. Nebraska Cornhuskers – 3-3, 1-2
Last Week 10
Yet another team that had a bye on Saturday and this week they get a home game against Northwestern as they try and win their second straight game. They knocked off Illinois on the road in their last game and are trying to get back to .500 in the Big Ten with another win.
11. Purdue Boilermakers – 2-5, 1-3
Last Week 11
The Boilermakers lost their second straight game when Ohio State came to town and beat them 41-7. It has been a tough year for the Boilermakers, but they get the nod over Illinois in these rankings thanks to a 44-19 win over the Fighting Illini three weeks ago.
12. Illinois Fighting Illini – 3-4, 1-3
Last Week 14
The Fighting Illini got a huge win on Saturday when they upset Maryland at home. The win was their first in the Big Ten this year and was just their second win in the last six games. It was easily their best performance of the year, but on Saturday they will get tested again when they welcome Wisconsin to town.
13. Michigan State – 2-4, 0-3
Last Week 12
The Spartans looked like they were going to pick up their first Big Ten win of the season, but they gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter to Rutgers and lost 27-24. It was another bad chapter in their season and this week it doesn’t get any easier as No. 2 Michigan comes to town for a primetime battle.
14. Indiana Hoosiers – 2-4, 0-3
Last Week 13
For a quarter on Saturday, the Hoosiers looked like a good football team as they lead Michigan 7-0. It all unraveled after that as they gave up 52 straight points in the loss. Saturday they are back home when they host Rutgers before they play Penn State and Wisconsin the next two weeks.
Watch College Football in 2023 with Fubo: Start your free trial now!
Regional restrictions may apply.
