Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Nine
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Written by Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)
The month of October is winding down and the conference races are shaping up to be pretty good. Ohio State is still head of the class, but Penn State is right there and Minnesota is on the warpath to Indianapolis. There are some shakeups in the middle of the pack as well. Illinois has found a spark and needs just two wins for bowl eligibility, while the Hoosiers went into Lincoln and upped their record to 6-2. November football in the Big Ten should be a very fun time.
1. Ohio State (8-0, 5-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Defeated Wisconsin 38-7
Ohio State’s special season continued with an absolute beatdown of the Badgers in Columbus on Saturday. In what started off as a classic low-scoring Big Ten game, the Buckeyes took a 10-0 lead into halftime. In the second half, Ohio State took Wisconsin to task, scoring four touchdowns in the final two quarters for a 38-7 blowout win. The Buckeyes outgained the Badgers 431 yards to 191. This supremely talented Ohio State team does not appear to have a single weakness across all three phases. The Buckeyes have a week off to regroup before hosting Maryland in two weeks.
Next Week: OFF
2. Penn State (8-0, 5-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Defeated Michigan State 28-7
Penn State’s playoff hopes remain alive after an impressive 28-7 beatdown over Michigan State at home on Saturday. The Nittany Lions held the Spartans to just 265 yards of total offense en route to a 28-7 victory. Now a perfect 8-0 on the year, Penn State joins Ohio State and Minnesota as the last remaining undefeated Big Ten teams. Penn State has the week off before traveling to Minnesota for a showdown of undefeated teams.
Next Week: OFF
3. Minnesota (8-0, 5-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Defeated Maryland 52-17
Minnesota’s dream season continued with a blowout win against Maryland. The Gophers racked up nearly 500 yards of total offense, including 321 rushing yards on 54 carries. Minnesota held Maryland to just 210 yards of offense in what was truly a lopsided game. While this Minnesota team hasn’t played a single Big Ten team over .500, the Gophers have taken care of business regardless. With a week off before their biggest game of the year, Minnesota has a chance to cement themselves as a contender against Penn State in two weeks.
Next Week: OFF
4. Michigan (6-2, 4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Defeated Notre Dame 45-14
In what may have been Jim Harbaugh’s biggest win of his Michigan career, the Wolverines obliterated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 45-14. It was a total monsoon at the Big House, and Michigan used their front lines to prevail over a top-ten ND team. Coming off a tough loss at Penn State, the Wolverines were in desperate need of a rebound. This win against a longtime rival may have saved their season. Michigan heads to Maryland to play the Terps next week.
Next Week: Michigan @ Maryland
5. Iowa (6-2, 4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Defeated Northwestern 20-0
Iowa took care of business for the second straight week following two tough losses to Michigan and Penn State. The Hawkeyes appear to be back on track and now sit at 6-2 with a prime opportunity in Madison next week against the Badgers. Iowa’s defense held Northwestern to just 202 yards of offense and only 64 rushing yards in a shutout 20-0 win. Iowa’s offense needs to improve if they want to take their season to the next level. They have a bye week to prepare for the Badgers.
Next Week: OFF
6. Indiana (6-2, 3-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Defeated Nebraska 38-31
Your Indiana football Hoosiers are 6-2. Be sure to check out HoosierHuddle.com every day for updates, news, stories and more!
Next Week: Northwestern @ Indiana
7. Wisconsin (6-2, 3-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Lost to Ohio State 38-7
Wisconsin went from playoff hopeful to season on the brink after The Badgers were embarrassed by Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday. After trailing just 10-0 going into halftime, Wisconsin fell apart in the second half and lost 38-7. Following an upset loss to Illinois last week and a blowout loss to the Buckeyes this week, Wisconsin needs to regroup. Luckily, the Badgers have the week off before hosting Iowa on November 9th.
Next Week: OFF
8. Illinois (4-4, 2-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Defeated Purdue 24-6
There was no hangover for Lovie Smith and the Fighting Illini this week following their huge upset win over Wisconsin. Illinois waltzed into West Lafayette and laid the hammer on the Boilermakers. The torrential downpour kept both teams under 300 yards of offense, but the game wasn’t nearly as close as the yardage indicates. Illinois took a 24-0 lead into the fourth quarter and never looked back. The Illini have a good chance at winning three straight conference games with Rutgers coming to town next week.
Next Week: Rutgers @ Illinois
9. Michigan State (4-4, 2-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Lost to Penn State 28-7
Three straight games against top ten opponents and three straight losses for Michigan State. In those three games, the Spartans have been outscored 100-17. MSU didn’t stand a chance at home against Penn State, losing 28-7. Now sitting at .500 on the year, Michigan State has the week off to try and right the ship. A home game against Illinois November 9th will be the Spartans’ next opportunity to end their losing streak.
Next Week: OFF
10. Nebraska (4-4, 2-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Lost to Indiana 38-31
This season was supposed to be a breakout year for Scott Frost and the Cornhuskers. Unfortunately, Nebraska has lost three of its last four games to fall to .500 on the year. Injuries to quarterback Adrian Martinez and others have derailed Nebraska’s high hopes. With games against Purdue, Wisconsin, Maryland and Iowa remaining, Nebraska’s fate is in their own hands.
Next Week: Nebraska @ Purdue
11. Purdue (2-6, 1-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Lost to Illinois 24-6
Purdue’s nightmare season continued with a blowout home loss against a surging Illinois team. This week it was revealed that Jeff Brohm is the second highest paid coach in the Big Ten, costing the Boilermakers roughly $3.3 million dollars per win this season. With games against Nebraska, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Indiana, Purdue has an uphill battle to save their season from total embarrassment.
Next Week: Nebraska @ Purdue
12. Maryland (3-5, 1-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Lost to Minnesota 52-17
Maryland has crashed down to earth following a 2-0 start to the season. Since the Terps cracked the top-25 in week 2, Maryland has lost five of its last six games. Things will not get any easier for the Terrapins as they have back-to-back games against Michigan and Ohio State coming up.
Next Week: Michigan @ Maryland
13. Northwestern (1-6, 0-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Lost to Iowa 20-0
Northwestern’s nightmare season continued with a shutout loss at home to Iowa. As the only team in the conference with just one win, the Wildcats find themselves searching for their first Big Ten win. Northwestern has only managed to score 75 points in seven games this season.
Next Week: Northwestern @ Indiana
14. Rutgers (2-6, 0-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Defeated Liberty 44-34
Rutgers entered Saturday’s game against Liberty as 7.5-point underdogs. Luckily, the Scarlet Knights avoided embarrassment and won a shootout 44-34.
Next Week: Rutgers @ Illinois