Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Ten
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Written by Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)
Week 10 Power Rankings
Week 10 was a light slate of Big Ten games as just over half the conference played. Over the next two weeks we could see seismic shifts in the rankings as the top of the conference will go head-to-head more often.
1. Ohio State (8-0, 5-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Open Week
The Buckeyes had a week to get healthy before entering the final four-game stretch of the year.
Next Week: Maryland @ Ohio State (Noon on FOX)
2. Penn State (8-0, 5-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Bye Week
The Nittany Lions had the week off to rest before traveling to Minnesota in a battle between two of the Big Ten’s three remaining undefeated team.
Next Week: Penn State @ Minnesota (Noon on ABC)
3. Minnesota (8-0, 5-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Bye Week
Minnesota had the week off to prepare for their showdown at home against Penn State.
Next Week: Penn State @ Minnesota (Noon on ABC)
4. Michigan (7-2, 4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Defeated Maryland 38-7
Michigan waltzed into Maryland and took care of business against the Terrapins. Fresh off of a huge blowout victory over Notre Dame, Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines have an opportunity to change their narrative. Michigan’s defense is rounding into form at the right time of year. Quarterback Shea Patterson has looked comfortable within the offense. Michigan now sits at 7-2 on the season with games against Michigan State, Indiana, and a showdown at home with the Buckeyes remaining.
Next Week: OFF
5. Iowa (6-2, 3-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Bye Week
Iowa sits at 6-2 after a bye week with a chance to climb the national polls with a win at Wisconsin next week.
Next Week: Iowa @ Wisconsin (4:00pm on FOX)
6. Wisconsin (6-2, 3-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Lost to Ohio State 38-7
Wisconsin is on longer in the playoff picture, but after a bye week with four games remaining, they’ll still have an opportunity to hit ten wins.
Next Week: Wisconsin vs. Iowa
7. Indiana (7-2, 4-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Defeated Northwestern 34-3
With three games left to play, the Indiana Hoosiers are 7-2. Be sure to check out HoosierHuddle.com every day for updates, news, stories and more! The blowout victory over Northwestern marks Indiana’s first winning season since 2007.
Next Week: OFF
8. Illinois (5-4, 3-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Defeated Rutgers 24-6
Illinois continued it’s much-improved play with a win over Rutgers. Now sitting at 5-4, the Illini have a chance to turn their season in to a special one. Illinois is one game away from bowl eligibility with a game against a middling Spartan team next week.
Next Week: Illinois @ Michigan State (3:30pm on FS1)
9. Michigan State (4-4, 2-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Open Week
The Spartans had the week off before hosting a much-improved Illinois team next Saturday.
Next Week: Illinois @ Michigan State (3:30pm on FS1)
10. Purdue (3-6, 2-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Defeated Nebraska 31-27
Purdue was able to turn things around at home against a struggling Nebraska team. With another injury to their quarterback, this time Jack Plummer, Purdue was forced to go to their walk-on third string QB. Aidan O’Connell carried the Boilers across the finish line. Purdue still has a faint chance at bowl eligibility with three games remaining.
Next Week: Purdue @ Northwestern (Noon on BTN)
11. Nebraska (4-5, 2-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Lost to Purdue 31-27
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. Injuries to quarterback Adrian Martinez and others have derailed Nebraska’s high hopes. The Cornhuskers had every opportunity to win in West Lafayette, but they couldn’t get the job done. Nebraska has the week off to get healthy before their final three games of the season.
Next Week: OFF
12. Maryland (3-5, 1-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Lost to Michigan 38-7
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 has hit a huge losing skid. The Terps couldn’t hang with Michigan on Saturday, falling 38-7. Things won’t get any easier for Maryland with a trip to Ohio State next week.
Next Week: Maryland @ Ohio State (Noon on FOX)
13. Northwestern (1-7, 0-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Lost to Indiana 34-3
Northwestern’s nightmare year continued with an uninspiring loss against Indiana. The Wildcats offense is having a historically bad season and Saturday night was no different.
Next Week: Purdue @ Northwestern (Noon on BTN)
14. Rutgers (2-6, 0-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Defeated Liberty 44-34
Rutgers couldn’t build off of their momentous victory over Liberty last week. The Scarlet Knights fell to Illinois 38-10.
Next Week: OFF