Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Six
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Written by Evan McShane
Hoosier Huddle’s Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 6
It was a light week in the Big Ten as two of the conference’s seven games were cancelled. That didn’t lighten the implications of the games that were played. The cancelations also cost Wisconsin a shot at the Big Ten West’s spot in the conference title game and could cost Ohio State the same thing should another one of their games be cancelled.
1. Ohio State (4-0, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 1
The Buckeyes reign supreme after their game against Illinois was cancelled. Ohio State stands alone as the Big Ten’s only undefeated team.
Next Week @ Michigan State (Noon ET)
2. Indiana (5-1, Defeated Maryland 27-11)
Last Week: 3
The Hoosiers defense dominated yet again on Saturday, forcing three interceptions and holding the Terrapins to 300 yards of total offense. IU’s 16 interceptions on the season are good for first in all of college football, despite having played just six games. The Hoosiers held Maryland to only 11 points, most of which came during garbage time. Quarterback Mike Penix Jr. left the game with an injury, but backup Jack Tuttle completed 5-of-5 passes for 31 yards. It was the 234 team rushing yards that paced Indiana to a blowout win. Indiana finishes the year 5-1 against the Big Ten East, a feat not many people thought possible until now. Allen and his Hoosiers will head to Madison to face off against a Wisconsin program they haven’t beaten since 2002. Can Indiana continue making history and cement its status as the Big Ten’s second-best team?
Next Week @ Wisconsin (3:30pm ET)
3. Iowa (4-2, Defeated Nebraska 26-20)
It wasn’t pretty but the Hawkeyes got it done on Friday at home against Nebraska. Iowa couldn’t capitalize on an early 10-0 lead as the Cornhuskers rallied back and kept it close until they end. The Hawkeye defense shut Nebraska out in the fourth quarter, allowing just three possessions that resulted in two punts and a fumble. Iowa’s 0-2 start feels like a distant memory after ripping off four straight victories. Iowa is now tied with Ohio State for the conference’s longest winning streak. The Hawkeyes hope to keep the momentum rolling next week against Illinois in Champaign.
Last Week: 4
Next Week @ Illinois
4. Northwestern (5-1, Lost to Michigan State 29-20)
Last Week: 2
Northwestern likely botched their bid for the college football playoff with disappointing loss against Michigan State. The Wildcats fell behind 17-0 early in the game and couldn’t complete a late rally despite taking the lead early in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey threw two interceptions and completed less than 50% of his 43 passes. The Wildcats managed less than 300 yards of offense and lost two fumbles. Ultimately it wasn’t enough for the defense to overcome, but the Wildcats remain atop the Big Ten West at 5-1.
Next Week vs. @ Minnesota
5. Wisconsin (2-1, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 5
Wisconsin had their game against Minnesota Cancelled. The Badgers have played just three games this season and are currently unable to qualify for the Big Ten championship game.
Next Week vs. Indiana (3:30pm ET)
6. Illinois (2-3, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 7
Illinois game against Ohio State was cancelled, saving the Illini from a likely loss. Illinois joins Iowa and Ohio State as the only Big Ten teams with active win streaks of two or more. That will change next week when the Illini hosts a red-hot Iowa team.
Next Week vs. Iowa
7. Minnesota (2-3, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 8
The Gophers were 2-1 in their last three games, but their momentum has come to a halt after Saturday’s contest against Wisconsin was cancelled.
Next Week vs. Northwestern
8. Maryland (2-2, Lost to Indiana 27-11)
Last Week: 6
Maryland kept it close for the first two and a half quarters, but they couldn’t hang with the Hoosiers for 60 minutes. The Terps gave up over 230 rushing yards and couldn’t get anything going on offense in the second half. Freshman quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa played like a freshman, completing just 17 of his 36 passes to go with three interceptions. Maryland had two games cancelled prior to this loss against IU and they were down a considerable amount of players. The Terrapins hope to bounce back next week as they travel to the Big House to play a struggling Michigan team.
Next Week @ Michigan
9. Michigan State (2-3, Defeated Northwestern 29-20)
Last Week: 12
Michigan State’s rollercoaster season continued with a big upset win against top-ten ranked Northwestern. The Spartans capitalized on some early Wildcat turnovers and raced out to a 17-0 lead. Michigan State proceeded to give up 20 unanswered points and trailed early in the fourth quarter. A late 12-point rally sealed the deal, two long field goals by kicker Matt Coghlin and a defensive touchdown on the final play. The Spartans have a road win against Michigan and now a ranked win to go with three blowout losses.
Next Week vs. Ohio State (Noon ET)
10. Rutgers (2-4, Defeated Purdue 37-30)
Last Week: 13
After two straight years without a conference victory, Rutgers picked up their second conference win of the season in West Lafayette. It was a shootout, and the Scarlet Knights came out on top thanks to some wildcat offense in the second half. Artur Sitkowski and Johnny Langan split time at quarterback, accumulating 144 and 190 yards respectively and three total touchdowns. Rutgers looked dead in the water, down 23-13 at halftime, but a 21-7 third quarter proved to be the difference. The Scarlet Knight defense came up with some clutch stops in the fourth quarter and sealed the win. Next week Rutgers will try to beat Penn State for the first time since 1988.
Next Week vs. Penn State
11. Purdue (2-3 Lost to Rutgers 37-30)
Last Week: 9
Purdue dropped to 0-2 against Rutgers all-time and now sports the Big Ten’s longest active losing streak at three games. Despite having Rondale Moore active for the second straight game, the Boilermakers couldn’t overcome a poor defensive effort. Rutgers posted 236 passing yards and 176 rushing yards to go with 37 points, including a dominant second half where they outscored Purdue 24-7. The Boilers are left looking for answers, now under .500 after starting the season 2-0. Purdue looks to avoid dropping four straight next week as they’ll host lowly Nebraska.
Next Week vs. Nebraska
12. Michigan (2-4, Lost to Penn State 27-17)
Last Week: 10
Michigan’s nightmare season continued with their third home loss of the year. The Wolverines usually vaunted defense got shredded once again, this time for 417 yards against Penn State. A fourth quarter TD brought Michigan within just three points, but the Nittany Lions answered right away with a long drive and touchdown of their own. Next week the Wolverines hope to get back on track as Maryland comes to town.
Next Week vs. Maryland
13. Nebraska (1-4, Lost to Iowa 26-20)
Last Week: 11
Nebraska fought on the road against Iowa, but it wasn’t enough. The Cornhuskers drop to 1-4 on the season after Friday’s loss. Nebraska outgained Iowa 338 yards to 322 with a balanced attack, 195 yards through the air and 143 rushing. That was the only positive as Scott Frost’s record at Nebraska drops to 10-19. Next week’s game against Purdue features a matchup of the only Big Ten teams with active losing streaks of two or more games.
Next Week @ Purdue
14. Penn State (1-5, Defeated Michigan 27-17)
Last Week: 14
Penn State outgained Michigan 417 yards to 286 and didn’t turn the ball over on their way to a 27-17 road victory. In what was a battle of the Big Ten’s most disappointing teams, the Nittany Lions came out on top. Nevertheless, Penn State stands alone as the only Big Ten team with five losses and thus remain at the bottom of the power rankings. Next week brings a chance to win two in a row as Penn State heads to New Jersey to play Rutgers.
Next Week @ Rutgers