The Big Ten is starting to take shape, but who reigns in the latest Big Ten Power Rankings?
Ohio State picked up the biggest win of the weekend as they beat Penn State 20-12 at home, but was it enough to take over Michigan for the top spot?
Iowa was the victim of a horrible call that negated a punt return for a touchdown that probably would have won the game. Instead, the Hawkeyes suffered a loss to Minnesota and no longer control their own destiny in the Big Ten West.
Rutgers is now bowl eligible and Illinois nearly pulled off a second straight upset. It was a wild weekend in the conference and it is only going to get crazier over the last five weeks.
1. Michigan Wolverines – 8-0, 5-0 in the Big Ten
Last Week 1
The Wolverines didn’t pick up the biggest win of the weekend, but they did look impressive once again. They got their first shutout of the year as they knocked off rival Michigan State 49-0. The starters once again didn’t play in the fourth quarter as they dominated from the opening kick. The defense has now given up just 47 points in the first eight games. They have a bye next week before hosting Purdue on November 4th.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes – 7-0, 4-0
Last Week 2
The offense still looks a bit shaky, but the defense continued to impress as they held Penn State to just 12 points, six of which came on a touchdown with under 30 seconds left. They do have two tricky games coming up at Wisconsin and at Rutgers, but they will be heavily favored in both and it is looking like they will be undefeated again heading into The Game at Michigan.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions – 6-1, 3-1
Last Week 3
The Nittany Lions had their chance to prove they could win the Big Ten East, but the offense came up woefully short against the Buckeyes. Drew Allar struggled as he completed just 10 of 31 passes for 191 yards. The rushing attack was even worse as they gained just 49 yards. They have two games to figure things out before they host No. 2 Michigan on November 11th.
4. Rutgers Scarlet Knights – 6-2, 3-2
Last Week 6
This is when it gets interesting as so many teams look exactly the same. This week we are going with Rutgers as they got their sixth win of the year on Saturday when they beat Indiana. It is the first time they are bowl eligible since 2014 and they equaled their program record for conference wins. They get a bye next week before hosting Ohio State.
5. Iowa Hawkeyes – 6-2, 3-2
Last Week 4
The Hawkeyes lost to Minnesota on Saturday despite not giving up a touchdown. The offense continues to be a problem and they now need Wisconsin to lose in order for them to control their own destiny again. They have a bye next week before playing three straight at home. They have a relatively soft schedule, but Rutgers and Nebraska are playing much better.
6. Wisconsin Badgers 5-2, 3-1
Last Week 5
The Badgers trailed Illinois 21-7 heading into the fourth quarter, but outscored the Illini 18-0 in the final frame to get the win. The last touchdown came with just 27 seconds left and the Badgers now have the inside track to win the Big Ten West. It isn’t going to be easy, though, as they play Ohio State next weekend at home.
7. Maryland Terrapins – 5-2, 2-2
Last Week 7
The Terrapins stay at seven after a bye week. The Terrapins have lost two straight to Ohio State and Illinois and the off week came at the perfect time. They go to Northwestern before hosting Penn State in two weeks. We will learn a lot about the Terrapins in the next two weeks.
8. Minnesota Golden Gophers – 4.-3, 2-2
Last Week 9
The Golden Gophers got a huge, albeit lucky, win against Iowa and they are now suddenly back in the race for the Big Ten West. They get two straight winnable home games in the next two weeks before traveling to Purdue and Ohio State. If they win the next three games it will set up a huge game against the Buckeyes on Nov. 18th.
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers – 4-3, 2-2
Last Week 10
It was ugly, but the Cornhuskers picked up their second straight win on Saturday when they beat Northwestern 17-9. They have now won four of their last five games and have moved over .500 overall. It hasn’t been a great season, but Matt Rhule has this team playing hard. Next up is a home game against Purdue before they travel to Michigan State in two weeks.
10. Northwestern Wildcats – 3-4, 1-3
Last Week 8
The Wildcats lost a hard-fought game against Nebraska on Saturday and have now alternated wins and losses all season long. If the trend holds they will pick up a huge home win over Maryland next weekend. The Wildcats aren’t great, but they continue to fight.
11. Purdue Boilermakers – 2-5, 1-3
Last Week 11
The Boilermakers have lost four of their last five games and have just one Big Ten win this year. They did get a bye last week, but they now must travel to Nebraska and Michigan the next two weeks. It doesn’t look like it is going to get better for them for at least a couple of more weeks.
12. Illinois Fighting Illini – 3-5, 1-4
Last Week 12
The Fighting Illini are playing much better and probably could be ahead of the two teams ahead of them, but we can’t ignore the 44-19 loss to the Boilermakers earlier this year. Since that loss, they have played Nebraska tough in a loss, upset Maryland and nearly upset Wisconsin. They are getting better and could win their last four games.
13. Indiana Hoosiers – 2-5, 0-4
Last Week 14
The Hoosiers move up a spot, not because of what they did, but because Michigan State has looked that bad. The Hoosiers remained winless in the Big Ten after losing to Rutgers 31-14. They were tied with the Scarlet Knights late into the first half, but were shut out in the second half and took the loss. It doesn’t get any easier as they travel to Penn State next week and then host Wisconsin.
14. Michigan State Spartans – 2-5, 0-4
Last Week 13
The Spartans gained just 182 total yards in their 49-0 loss to rival Michigan on Saturday night. They were completely dominated and have now lost five straight games after starting the year 2-0. They now hit the road on Saturday to take on Minnesota and they still have Ohio State and Penn State on their schedule. This season doesn’t look like it is going to get better.
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