Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Eight
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Written by Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)
The Big Ten season is past the halfway mark as week seven finishes up. There was a major shakeup with Illinois knocking off Wisconsin.
1. Ohio State (7-0, 4-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Defeated Northwestern 52-3
The Buckeyes continue to prove they are head and shoulders above everyone else in the conference. With a 52-3 dismantling of Northwestern on Friday night in Evanston, Ohio State is one step closer to achieving their College Football Playoff dreams. Quarterback Justin Fields was nearly perfect, completing 18-of-23 passes for nearly 200 yards and four touchdowns. JK Dobbins racked up 121 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own. Next week, the Buckeyes will face their toughest test of the season when the Badgers come to town.
Next Week: Wisconsin @ Ohio State (Noon on FOX)
2. Penn State (7-0, 4-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Defeated Michigan 28-21
The Nittany Lions were able to separate themselves from the rest of the pack with a much-needed win at home against Michigan. Penn State was able to keep their playoff hopes alive, remaining unbeaten on the year. The Nittany Lions raced out to a 21-0 lead and hung on with a late defensive stop for the victory. Star wide receiver KJ Hamler was the hero of the day, scoring a 25-yard TD in the first half and a huge 53-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. With a win in East Lansing next week against the Spartans, Penn State will further cement themselves in the playoff conversation.
Next Week: Penn State @ Michigan State (3:30pm on ABC)
3. Minnesota (7-0, 4-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Defeated Rutgers 42-7
Minnesota dominated Rutgers on Saturday in New Jersey. The Gophers have played extremely well as of late and they have fully taken advantage of a soft schedule. Minnesota is undefeated on the season, and the competition won’t pick up until they play Penn State on November 9th. With a struggling Maryland team coming to town next week, the Gophers have a prime opportunity to start the year 8-0. An impressive accomplishment in head coach PJ Fleck’s third year, regardless of strength of schedule.
Next Week: Maryland @ Minnesota (3:30pm on ESPN)
4. Wisconsin (6-1, 3-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Lost to Illinois 24-23
Wisconsin’s playoff hopes were all but destroyed on Saturday as Illinois pulled off an upset for the ages. The Badgers were favored by a whopping 31 points. With Wisconsin leading 20-7 late in the third quarter, the Badgers collapsed. Illinois scored on a 43-yard touchdown run with under a minute in the third and converted a 29-yard TD pass with just over five minutes remaining in the fourth. After quarterback Jack Coan threw an inexcusable interception late in the game, Illinois promptly drove down the field and kicked a game winning field goal as time expired to win 24-23. Suddenly, next week’s game in Columbus between Wisconsin and Ohio State lost some luster.
Next Week: Wisconsin @ Ohio State (Noon on FOX)
5. Iowa (5-2, 3-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Defeated Purdue 26-20
Iowa avoided catastrophe on Saturday, fending off a pesky Purdue team at home to win 26-20. The Hawkeyes came into the weekend on a two-game losing streak, but they played well enough to get back in the win column. Clinging to a 7-9 lead at halftime, Iowa forced a timely turnover in the third and scored quickly thereafter to increase their lead to 16-7. From there, the Hawkeyes would stave off any comeback attempts from the Boilers. While it’s still clear Iowa’s offense has to improve, nevertheless the Hawkeyes are 5-2 on the year with a chance to get to eight or nine wins.
Next Week: Iowa @ Northwestern (Noon on ESPN2)
6. Michigan (5-2, 3-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Lost to Penn State 28-21
Jim Harbaugh just can’t win the big game. The Wolverines were not expected to win, but they had plenty of chances. After falling behind 21-0 early in the game, Michigan rallied all the way back to within seven points on two occasions. When trailing 21-14, the Wolverines defense gave up a 53-yard TD to KJ Hamler. Again, when trailing 28-21, Michigan had a dropped pass in the end zone on fourth down that would’ve tied the game. Michigan still sits at 5-2 on the season with a big opportunity to knock off a highly ranked Notre Dame team next weekend.
Next Week: Notre Dame @ Michigan (7:30pm on ABC)
7. Indiana (5-2, 2-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Defeated Maryland 34-28
Peyton Ramsey came in and led Indiana to a victory after quarterback Michael Penix left the game with an injury. Ramsey played well and IU’s defense came up with two very timely turnovers to seal the victory. Be sure to check out HoosierHuddle.com for detailed recaps, updates, and stories!
Next Week: Indiana @ Nebraska (3:30pm on BTN)
8. Michigan State (4-3, 2-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Bye Week
Michigan State had a much-needed bye week. They Spartans will host undefeated Penn State next week.
Next Week: Penn State @ Michigan State (3:30pm on ABC)
9. Nebraska (4-3, 2-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Bye Week
Nebraska had a week to regroup before playing host to Indiana next week.
Next Week: Indiana @ Nebraska (3:30pm on BTN)
10. Illinois (3-4, 1-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Defeated Wisconsin 24-23
Illinois notched their most impressive win under head coach Lovie Smith and one of the most improbable upsets in recent history. As 31-point underdogs, the Illini were expected to rollover and give up on Saturday. Trailing 20-7 late in the third quarter, it looked like Illinois was going to do just that. But a 43-yard rushing TD with under a minute in the third gave the Illini new life. The defense came up with a huge interception as Wisconsin was trying to run out the clock. Illinois marched downfield and setup a game winning field goal that went through as time expired. Will this win change Illinois season? Time will tell, but for now they have new life.
Next Week: Illinois @ Purdue (Noon on BTN)
11. Purdue (2-5, 1-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Lost to Iowa 26-20
Purdue had a chance to turn their season around for the better in Iowa but couldn’t get the job done. The Boilers trailed just 9-7 at halftime and were threatening to take the lead in the third quarter. Redshirt freshman QB Jack Plummer threw an interception deep in Iowa territory and the Hawkeyes extended their lead to 16-7 shortly after. Purdue battled on the road in a tough environment, but ultimately couldn’t make enough plays to win. With five losses already, it would take a miracle for Purdue to make a bowl game for the third straight season. The task becomes even tougher without star playmaker Rondale Moore who has been out the past three weeks with an injury.
Next Week: Illinois @ Purdue (Noon on BTN)
12. Maryland (3-4, 1-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Lost to Indiana 34-28
Maryland lost a tight game at home to the Hoosiers on Saturday, their second straight conference loss and fourth loss in five games. The Terrapins led IU 21-17 and had multiple opportunities to win the game in the fourth quarter, but the floundered. On their final two possessions, down three points and six points respectively, Maryland turned the ball over twice in the final few minutes. Things won’t get any easier for the Terps as they’ll travel to Minnesota next week to face an undefeated Gopher squad.
Next Week: Maryland @ Minnesota (3:30pm on ESPN)
13. Northwestern (1-5, 0-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Lost to Ohio State 52-3
Northwestern’s nightmare season continued on Friday night with a blowout home loss against Ohio State. No one expected the Wildcats to win, and the Buckeyes have obliterated every opponent they’ve faced. Regardless, the Northwestern offense looks awful. Having lost four straight conference games, the Wildcats have a chance to right the ship at home against Iowa next weekend.
Next Week: Iowa @ Northwestern (Noon on ESPN2)
14. Rutgers (1-6, 0-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Lost to Minnesota 42-7
Rutgers could not pull of the upset win at home against Minnesota and their woeful season continues. The Scarlet Knights best chance at winning another game takes place next week when Rutgers hosts Liberty in their final non-conference game of the year.
Next Week: Liberty @ Rutgers (Noon on BTN)