Hoosier Huddle’s Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 8
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Written by Evan McShane
There were a couple cancelations last week and IU won’t play again this week, but there was a little movement in our power rankings.
1. Ohio State (5-0, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 1
The Game was cancelled and OSU, but nevertheless, Ohio State will represent the Big Ten East in the conference championship game with a 5-0 record. The Buckeyes will face Northwestern on Saturday at noon ET for the Big Ten Championship.
Next Week vs. Northwestern
2. Indiana (6-1, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 2
Covid-19 robbed the Hoosiers a chance to cap off their memorable and historic season with a win over Purdue. Indiana will do their best to get healthy before bowl game and hope the selection committee will respect their 6-1 record with their only defeat coming on the road against a likely playoff team. One thing is for certain, if the Hoosiers are able to take the field in a bowl game, they will be as fired up as they’ve ever been.
Next Week vs. Purdue (Game Cancelled)
3. Iowa (6-2, Defeated Wisconsin 28-7)
Last Week: 3
Iowa handled Wisconsin at home on Saturday. It was a classic cold weather Big Ten football game with the score sitting at 6-0 at halftime. The Hawkeyes separated themselves in the third quarter with two big passing touchdowns from QB Spencer Petras to Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Iowa held the Badgers scoreless in the fourth quarter to cement a convincing win. The Hawkeyes have ripped off six straight wins since starting 0-2, the longest winning streak in the conference. Iowa hopes to make it seven straight as a struggling Michigan team comes to town next week.
Next Week vs. Michigan
4. Northwestern (6-1, Defeated Illinois 28-10)
Last Week: 4
In their first game following an embarrassing loss to Michigan State, Northwestern took care of business at home to secure their spot in the Big Ten championship game. The Wildcats trailed 3-0 after the first quarter but outscored the Illini 28-0 over the following two quarters. Northwestern are currently 20-point underdogs against the Buckeyes in Indianapolis next week. Peyton Ramsey and the Wildcats will have their work cut out for them.
Next Week vs. Ohio State
5. Minnesota (3-3, Defeated Nebraska 24-17)
Last Week: 6
With only four Big Ten teams over .500, Minnesota sits at number five in the power rankings as the only team in the conference with a record of exactly .500. The Gophers are coming off a win against Nebraska, and despite having back-to-back games cancelled, Minnesota is riding a two-game win streak. Next week Minnesota will face a rival on a three-game losing streak when they to Wisconsin next week.
Next Week @ Wisconsin
6. Wisconsin (2-3, Lost to Iowa 28-7)
Last Week: 5
The Badgers have lost three straight games, but they sit at number six in the power rankings largely because the rest of the Big Ten is a dumpster fire. Wisconsin couldn’t contain Iowa’s offense in the second half on Saturday and fell to the Hawkeyes 28-7. Wisconsin scored 94 points in their first two games combined, yet have somehow averaged less than seven points-per-game over their last three losses. The Badgers hope to turn their season around with a win against Minnesota next week.
Next Week vs. Minnesota
7. Penn State (3-5, Defeated Michigan State 39-24)
Last Week: 10
You might be asking, how is Penn State at number seven in the power rankings? Well, the Nittany Lions own the third-longest winning streak in the Big Ten at three. After a nightmare 0-5 start, Penn State has ripped off three straight convincing wins to help end their season on a positive note. On Saturday, the Nittany Lions controlled Michigan State en route to a 39-24 win. Next week, Penn State will host Illinois in hopes of making it four straight victories.
Next Week vs. Illinois
8. Rutgers (3-5, Defeated Maryland 27-24 OT)
Last Week: 13
Only eight teams in the Big Ten have at least three wins in 2020 and Rutgers is one of them. That sums up how strange this year has been. After holding on in overtime, Rutgers secured a rival victory over Maryland Saturday. The Scarlet Knights earned the right to host a game next week as Nebraska will head to New Jersey. Rutgers has a chance to win four Big Ten games for the first time ever – since joining the conference in 2014.
Next Week vs. Nebraska
9. Maryland (2-3, Lost to Rutgers 27-24 OT)
Last Week: 7
Maryland fell to Rutgers in overtime Saturday for their second straight loss. It was a season marred by Covid-19 cancellations for the Terrapins, as they only completed five games. After upset wins over Minnesota and Penn State, Maryland was 2-1 and poised for a successful season. Three of their next four games were cancelled and now Maryland heads into their final game of the year on a two-game losing streak. Next week the Terps hope to finish the year at .500 with a win over Michigan State.
Next Week vs. Michigan State
10. Illinois (2-5, Lost to Northwestern 28-10)
Last Week: 8
The Illini came out tough, holding a 3-0 lead after one quarter on Saturday, but Northwestern rolled to a 28-10 victory anyway. Illinois has had a true rollercoaster season in 2020. They started the year 0-3, then won two straight games on the road, only to finish the season on a two-game losing streak. In their five losses, the Illini were outscored by an average of 36-15. This ultimately led to the Illinois AD firing Lovie Smith yesterday. It’s back to the drawing board for Illinois football
Next Week @ Penn State
11. Nebraska (2-5, Lost to Minnesota 24-17)
Last Week: 9
After spearheading efforts to start the Big Ten football season and wanting maybe too much credit for it, Scott Frost and the Cornhuskers sit at just 2-5 after yet another disappointing season. Nebraska couldn’t complete the upset against rival Minnesota on Saturday. Their inconsistent play has landed them a showdown on the road against Rutgers next week.
Next Week @ Rutgers
12. Michigan (2-4, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 12
Michigan avoided a potentially embarrassing defeat with their showdown against Ohio State being cancelled due to Covid-19 issues. The Wolverines drew a tough matchup on the road against Iowa next week to finish their season.
Next Week @ Iowa
13. Michigan State (2-5, Lost to Penn State 39-24)
Last Week: 11
Michigan State put out another disappointing performance as they lost to Penn State on the road Saturday. It has been one strange season for the Spartans, one which included wins over a top-ten team and a road win against the 13th ranked team in the country. MSU’s wins over Northwestern and Michigan were the only bright spots in 2020. The Spartans lost five games this season by an average margin of 40 to 14. Michigan State hopes to redeem themselves next week on the road against Maryland.
Next Week @ Maryland
14. Purdue (2-4, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 14
The Old Oaken Bucket was cancelled this week and the rescheduled game for next week was also cancelled. Purdue’s season will end with a disappointing 2-4 record, including a four-game losing streak to finish the year that landed them at the bottom of the Big Ten power rankings.
Next Week @ Indiana (Game Cancelled)