Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 12
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Written by Evan McShane
We enter the final week of the season and 2021 looks much the same as most years in the Big Ten.
1. Ohio State (10-1, 8-0) – Defeated Michigan State 56-7
Ohio State made a mockery of Michigan State’s football program on Saturday. The score was 49-0 Buckeyes at halftime. OSU heads up north next week where they hope to complete yet another undefeated Big Ten season.
2. Michigan (10-1, 7-1) – Defeated Maryland 59-18
Michigan stomped on Maryland to earn their tenth win of the season. They’ll host Ohio State next week in the biggest showdown of the 2021 Big Ten season.
3. Wisconsin (8-3, 6-2) – Defeated Nebraska 35-28
Wisconsin has found their groove. The Badgers defeated Nebraska at home for their seventh consecutive win. The Badgers hope to finish their season on a high note when they head to Minnesota next week.
4. Iowa (9-2, 6-2) – Defeated Illinois 33-23
Iowa racked their ninth win in an ugly showdown against Illinois at home. The Hawkeyes have won three straight. If the Badgers lose next week and Iowa defeated Nebraska, the Hawkeyes will sit atop the Big Ten West standings.
5. Michigan State (9-2, 6-2) – Lost to Ohio State 56-7
The Spartans were severely overmatched against Ohio State on Saturday. Michigan State hopes to gain back some dignity next week when the Nittany Lions come to East Lansing.
6. Minnesota (7-4, 5-3) – Defeated Indiana 35-14
Minnesota dismantled an emaciated Hoosier team on Saturday to earn their seventh win of the season. The Gophers have a chance to upset Wisconsin next week at home and shake up the Big Ten West division.
7. Purdue (7-4, 5-3) – Defeated Northwestern 32-14
Purdue controlled Northwestern at Wrigley Field on Saturday. The Boilers are having their best season in well over a decade. Purdue will be heavily favored in the Old Oaken Bucket game next week.
8. Penn State (7-4, 4-4) – Defeated Rutgers 28-0
Penn State shutout Rutgers on Saturday to move to 7-4 on the season. A disappointing record considering the talent level in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions can play spoiler next week on the road against Michigan State.
9. Maryland (5-6, 2-6) – Lost to Michigan 59-18
Maryland was embarrassed at home by a superior Michigan team. The Terps are 2-6 in conference play. Maryland will play their season finale next week against Rutgers in New Jersey. The winner of the game will become bowl eligible.
10. Rutgers (5-6, 2-6) – Lost to Penn State 28-0
Rutgers was overmatched on Saturday, failing to score a point against Penn State. The Scarlet Knights host Maryland next week.
11. Illinois (4-7, 3-5) – Lost to Iowa 33-23
Illinois lost another sloppy game, this time against Iowa on the road. The Illini host Northwestern next week.
12. Northwestern (3-8, 1-7) – Lost to Purdue 32-14
Northwestern struggled against Purdue, losing their fifth straight game. The Wildcats will play Illinois on the road next week.
13. Nebraska (3-8, 1-7) – Lost to Wisconsin 35-28
Nebraska is turning another disastrous season. The Cornhuskers lost to Wisconsin on Saturday for their fifth consecutive defeat. Nebraska will host Iowa on Friday next week.
14. Indiana (2-9, 0-8) – Lost to Minnesota 35-14
The Hoosiers are in the midst of their worst season in a decade. Indiana is on the verge of going winless in Big Ten play for the first time since 2011 and just the fifth time in the past 60 years of program history. IU will be significant underdogs next week in West Lafayette. Nevertheless, POTFB.