Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Eleven
/
Written by Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)
What a week of football in the Big Ten! The conference saw some major shake-ups as Minnesota knocked off Penn State and Illinois shocked Michigan State with a 25-point comeback to reach bowl eligibility.
1. Ohio State (9-0, 6-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Defeated Maryland 73-14
The Buckeyes made a mockery of Maryland on Saturday. Ohio State racked up 705 yards of total offense while holding the Terps to just 139 yards of their own. Ohio State looks like the best team in the entire nation right now. The Buckeyes might score 100-points against Rutgers next week. The final two games of the season for OSU are at home against Penn State and on the road against Michigan.
Next Week: Ohio State @ Rutgers (3:30pm on BTN)
2. Minnesota (9-0, 6-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Defeated Penn State 31-26
Minnesota came out on top in the battle of undefeated teams. The Gophers defeated Penn State 31-26 in what was a hard-fought Big Ten battle. Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan was lights out, completing 18-of-20 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns. Penn State could not overcome the mistakes made by quarterback Sean Clifford. Clifford threw three interceptions, one of which ended the game with PSU on the Minnesota 25-yardline threatening to win the game. The Gophers face another tough test next week as they travel to Iowa to face the Hawkeyes on the road.
Next Week: Minnesota @ Iowa (4:00pm on FOX)
3. Penn State (8-1, 5-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Lost to Minnesota 31-26
The Nittany Lions came up short in Minnesota on Saturday. Penn State found themselves in a hole behind 24-10 in the second quarter. A field goal to close out the first half cut the deficit to 11, but the Nittany Lions couldn’t stop Minnesota’s offensive attack. The Gophers torched a previously vaunted PSU defense for 460 yards of offense, including 339 through the air. While Penn State played well enough to give themselves a chance to win, they ultimately could not overcome quarterback Sean Clifford’s three interceptions.
Next Week: Indiana @ Penn State (Noon on ABC)
4. Michigan (7-2, 4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Bye Week
Michigan has some momentum coming off a bye week with two straight wins over Notre Dame and Maryland and a chance to reach 10 wins before the season ends. Michigan will host a struggling Michigan State team next Saturday. The Wolverines hope to take care of business the next two weeks before hosting Ohio State the last game of the year.
Next Week: Michigan State @ Michigan (Noon on FOX)
5. Wisconsin (7-2, 4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Defeated Iowa 24-22
Wisconsin has slowed following a hot start, but on Saturday at home the Badgers were able to get back into the win column. Running back Jonathan Taylor racked up 250 yards on 31 carries. Wisconsin was able to use that rushing attack to control the game, dominating time of possession by nearly 15 full minutes. With a 21-6 lead going into the fourth quarter, Wisconsin staved off an Iowa comeback attempt. Iowa had a chance to tie the game with three minutes left but failed a two-point conversion try. Iowa has another chance to pull off an upset victory when undefeated Minnesota comes to town next Saturday.
Next Week: Wisconsin @ Nebraska (Noon on BTN)
6. Indiana (7-2, 4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Defeated Northwestern 34-3
The Hoosiers are ranked for the first time since 1994. Indiana is 25th in the Coaches Poll and 24th in the AP Poll. Be sure to visit HoosierHuddle.com every day for news, updates, stories and more!
Next Week: Indiana @ Penn State (Noon on ABC)
7. Illinois (5-4, 3-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Defeated Michigan State 37-34
Illinois’ 2019 season is turning into a feel-good story after their comeback win on the road against Michigan State. Trailing 28-3, the Fighting Illini never stopped fighting. Illinois scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to storm back and defeat the Spartans. The Illini are now bowl eligible with two games left to play. Illinois will have the week off before traveling to Iowa on November 23rd for a chance to secure a winning season.
Next Week: OFF
8. Iowa (6-3, 3-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Bye Week
Iowa’s up-and-down season continued with a heartbreaking loss against Wisconsin on the road. The Hawkeyes gave up over 300 rushing yards and found themselves behind 21-6 heading into the final quarter on Saturday. Iowa clawed all the way back and scored a touchdown on a 75-yard pass with three minutes remaining. However, the Hawkeyes couldn’t convert the two-point attempt and ultimately lost the game by two points. Iowa will have a chance to redeem themselves next week when undefeated Minnesota comes to town.
Next Week: Minnesota @ Iowa (4:00pm on FOX)
9. Purdue (4-6, 3-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Defeated Northwestern 24-22
Purdue barely pulled out the home win against a putrid Northwestern team. The Boilers fell behind 14-0 early and clawed back into the game. Purdue went on a 21-2 scoring run to build a lead but found themselves behind late in the fourth. When it mattered most, the Boilers put together a 10-play 58-yard drive which ended in a 39-yard field goal to win the game. Purdue has the week off before their final two games at Wisconsin and at home against Indiana.
Next Week: OFF
10. Michigan State (4-5, 2-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Lost to Illinois 37-34
The Spartans 2019 season is turning into a train wreck. Michigan State was leading Illinois 28-3 in the second quarter and 31-10 after three quarters were finished. The Spartans somehow coughed up the 21-point lead at home, allowing Illinois to score four fourth quarter touchdowns to win the game 37-34. The Spartans are still two wins away from bowl eligibility, but next week will provide a tough test on the road against Michigan.
Next Week: Michigan State @ Michigan (Noon on FOX)
11. Nebraska (4-5, 2-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Bye Week
This season was supposed to be a breakout year for Scott Frost and the Cornhuskers. Unfortunately, Nebraska has lost four of its last five games to fall below .500 on the year. Nebraska still has a chance to get bowl eligible, but it will require two more regular season wins. The final three games for Nebraska this year include home games against Wisconsin and Iowa and a road test at Maryland. How will Husker fans handle missing a bowl for the third straight year?
Next Week: Wisconsin @ Nebraska (Noon on BTN)
12. Maryland (3-7, 1-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Lost to Ohio State 73-14
Head coach Mike Locksley’s up-and-down first season continues to trend south. After a 2-0 start with an offense that looked unstoppable, Maryland lost seven of their last eight games, including five straight. The Terrapins have now officially missed a chance at bowl eligibility. Maryland is off next Saturday with a bye week before closing the year at home against Nebraska and on the road against Michigan State.
Next Week: OFF
13. Northwestern (1-8, 0-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Lost to Purdue 24-22
Northwestern’s nightmare season continued with another loss against Purdue. This time, the Wildcats played well enough to win, but they allowed Purdue to drive down the field and kick a game winning field goal as time expired. Northwestern is yet to win a conference game this season and they are running out of opportunities to do so. The Wildcats hope to get back on track next week with a non-conference game against UMass.
Next Week: UMass @ Northwestern (Noon on BTN)
14. Rutgers (2-7, 0-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Bye Week
Rutgers didn’t lose! The Scarlet Knights opened as 50.5-point underdogs next week against Ohio State at home.
Next Week: Ohio State @ Rutgers (3:30pm on BTN)