Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Fourteen
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Written by Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)
The regular season is over and the power rankings have settled themselves out. There is still a championship to play for and bowl games later this month.
1. Ohio State (12-0, 9-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Defeated Michigan 56-27
The Ohio State Buckeyes completed their perfect season with an exclamation point. OSU rolled into the Big House and after a tight first quarter, the Buckeyes quickly pulled away. Ohio State carried a 28-16 lead into halftime before making it 42-19 by the end of the third. Michigan had one last gasp, driving and only trailing 42-27. Quarterback Shea Patterson fumbled the snap in the red zone with OSU recovering. The Buckeyes would score twice more to cap off a 56-27 victory. The Buckeyes look like they could be the best team in the country, they’ll have an opportunity to prove it in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Next Week: Big Ten Championship Game vs. Wisconsin
2. Wisconsin (10-2, 7-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Defeated Minnesota 38-17
Wisconsin came to play in Minneapolis on Saturday. A wintry mix and at times heavy snowfall couldn’t stop the Badgers. Wisconsin outgained Minnesota 453 yards to 372 and outscored the Gophers 28-10 in the second half. The Badgers finish the year with just two losses: one upset loss on the road to Illinois and a blowout in Columbus. Wisconsin will have another chance at the Buckeyes in Indianapolis as they head to the Big Ten Championship Game.
Next Week: Big Ten Championship Game vs. Ohio State
3. Penn State (10-2, 7-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Defeated Rutgers 27-6
It certainly wasn’t pretty, but Penn State was able to notch their tenth win of the season over Rutgers. The Nittany Lions led by just one score late in the game but were able to pull away with two touchdowns in the final frame. Penn State could see a Rose Bowl berth after accumulating the most wins of any Big Ten team not in the Championship Game. The Nittany Lions might be disappointed by their finish, going 2-2 in their last four after an 8-0 start. Penn State will be have a formidable team once again next year.
4. Iowa (9-3, 6-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Defeated Nebraska 27-24
Iowa was able to cap off a nine-win season although it certainly wasn’t pretty. With the Hawkeyes controlling the game 24-10, Nebraska clawed their way back into the game. With the game tied at 24-24, Iowa came up with a huge stop on defense and gave their offense a chance to win the game. Behind a strong effort in the running game and from quarterback Nate Stanley, Iowa mounted a quick drive to get into field goal range. The Hawkeyes drilled the game winning field goal. Iowa lost its only three games to top-25 opponents and by a slim margin. Iowa will look to build off this success and reach 10 wins during bowl season.
5. Minnesota (10-2, 7-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Lost to Wisconsin 38-17
Minnesota’s season has somewhat unraveled after an impressive 9-0 start to the year. Before losing two of their last three games, the Gophers had a shot at the college football playoff. After a blowout loss at home against Wisconsin, Minnesota won’t even get to play in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Gophers had a prime opportunity to reach the title game in Indianapolis, until the Badgers came into town. Wisconsin outscored Minnesota 28-10 in the second half. PJ Fleck and the Gophers will still get to play a warm-weather bowl, but they might be wondering what could have been this offseason.
6. Michigan (9-3, 6-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Lost to Ohio State 56-27
For the eighth straight year, Michigan came up short in The Game. For the second straight year UM lost in blowout fashion. Despite a successful season from the Wolverines, they couldn’t even be competitive at home against their biggest rival. Michigan moved to 9-3 on the year and will still play in a warm-weather bowl against a good team. However, Michigan has to wonder if this is good enough. While Ohio State is a unique behemoth, many Wolverine faithful expect to at least be able to keep the games close. Are Jim Harbaugh’s days as UM’s head coach numbered or is his job secure?
7. Indiana (8-4, 5-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Defeated Purdue 44-41 2OT
At times it seemed like the Hoosiers did everything they could to lose the Old Oaken Bucket, but the only thing that matters is the victory. Be sure to visit HoosierHuddle.com for recaps of the game, news, stories and more!
8. Michigan State (6-6, 4-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Defeated Maryland 19-16
In a game that encapsulated Michigan State’s season, the Spartans couldn’t get their offense going and trailed by a field goal heading into the final quarter. MSU played just well enough to escape with a victory. Two field goals in the fourth quarter, including one with under three minutes remaining was enough to seal with deal. The Spartans are going bowling after a season many would deem as highly disappointing. Could this be head coach Mike Dantonio’s last season in East Lansing?
9. Illinois (6-6, 4-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Lost to Northwestern 29-10
Illinois couldn’t cap off their unexpected season with a win, instead finishing 6-6. As home favorites, the Fighting Illini were quite frankly embarrassed by a struggling Northwestern team. It was a cold, windy and rainy Saturday in Champaign. Conditions that made it difficult for Illinois to ever get its offense going. Illinois has lost back-to-back games by only scoring 10 points in each, but U of I will have an opportunity to secure a winning season with a bowl victory next month.
10. Purdue (4-8, 3-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Lost to Indiana 44-41 2OT
Purdue’s nightmare of a season had the Boilers playing with nothing to lose. After trailing 28-10, Purdue rallied all the way back to force overtime. The Boilermakers could not capitalize on a three-point lead in overtime. In double overtime, Indiana capitalized on third and long before punching in the game winning touchdown on a QB sneak. The Boilers were decimated by injury all year long and ultimately it was too much to overcome. After back-to-back bowl seasons, Purdue limped to a 4-8 record in 2019. Back to the drawing board for the Big Ten’s second highest paid head coach. Jeff Brohm will certainly hope to have a healthier team next season.
11. Nebraska (5-7, 3-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Lost to Iowa 27-24
For the third straight year the Nebraska Cornhuskers are not eligible for a bowl game. In what has been a nightmarish start to head coach Scott Frost’s tenure, Nebraska couldn’t win their rivalry game at home despite a valiant effort. The Cornhuskers battled back to tie the game at 24-24 before trailing but two scores. Unfortunately for the Huskers, their defense allowed Iowa to drive into field goal range and convert the game winning kick. With quarterback Adrian Martinez returning next year, Nebraska will hope to have a more successful season than they did in 2019.
12. Northwestern (3-9, 1-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Defeated Illinois 29-10
Northwestern was able to find a positive on the final week of the season. After a truly miserable year for Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats, a rival win on the road is something to carry into the offseason. Northwestern’s defense shut down the Fighting Illini and the offense had perhaps their best game of the season. The Wildcats will not be bowling this season, but with improved quarterback play they’ll almost certainly be better next year.
13. Maryland (3-9, 1-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Lost to Michigan State 19-16
It was an ugly game in East Lansing and the Terrapins couldn’t find a way to win it. Clinging to a 16-13 point lead going into the fourth quarter, Maryland couldn’t get the job done. MSU scored two field goals in the final frame, including the go-ahead score with under three minutes remaining. After a hot 2-1 start that found Maryland in the AP top-25, the Terrapins had a major collapse, losing eight of their final nine games.
14. Rutgers (2-10, 0-9)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Lost to Penn State 27-6
Rutgers fought hard, keeping the score somewhat close at 13-3 until Penn State was able to pull away late. In what may have been their best conference game, Rutgers still lost by 21 points. It was another season to forget for the Scarlet Knights, although two wins was an improvement after winning just one game last year.