Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Twelve
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Written by Evan McShane
We are heading into the final two weeks of the regular season of college football. Last weekend we saw Minnesota fall from the ranks of the unbeaten and Penn State keep their Big Ten title hopes alive.
1. Ohio State (10-0, 7-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Defeated Rutgers 56-21
Next Week: Penn State @ Ohio State (Noon on FOX)
2. Penn State (9-1, 6-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Defeated Indiana 34-27
It wasn’t pretty but the Nittany Lions survived. Penn State’s defense hemorrhaged 462 yards of total offense including 371 through the air. Penn State racked up 192 rushing yards on the day, won the turnover battle, and played just well enough to win the game. Clinging to a three-point lead, Penn State mounted an 18-play drive that lasted over nine minutes. On fourth and goal at the one yard-line, quarterback Sean Clifford punched it in for the deciding score. Next week, the Nittany Lions face their toughest test of the year on the road against Ohio State.
Next Week: Penn State @ Ohio State (Noon on FOX)
3. Michigan (8-2, 5-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Defeated Michigan State 44-10
Michigan is rolling now with their third straight blowout victory in as many weeks. The Wolverines fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter and things were looking uncertain for a moment. Michigan stormed back with 17 unanswered points in the second quarter. The second half was all maize and blue. Michigan outscored the Spartans 27-3 in the final two quarters. Shea Patterson threw for a personal best 384 yards and four touchdowns. The Wolverines head to Indiana next week before their season-defining game against Ohio State to closet the year.
Next Week: Michigan @ Indiana (3:30pm on ABC)
4. Minnesota (9-1, 6-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Minnesota’s joy ride came to an end after nine consecutive victories. While the Gophers certainly earned the respect of their peers with a win over Penn State last week, it was short lived. Iowa outplayed Minnesota from start to finish, never trailing in the game. A late comeback attempt by the Gophers was stymied by the Hawkeyes. PJ Fleck opted for the onside kick with three and a half minutes to go and Iowa recovered. Minnesota would get the ball back for one last shot but were sacked twice and went incomplete on fourth and 21. The Gophers are still primed to win the west and can get back on track with a win over Northwestern next week.
Next Week: Minnesota @ Northwestern
5. Wisconsin (8-2, 5-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Defeated Nebraska 37-21
Wisconsin kept their successful season afloat with a convincing victory on the road at Nebraska. A 20-point second quarter from the Badgers proved to be the difference in the game. Jonathan Taylor ran for over 200 yards by himself and scored two touchdowns. Wisconsin remains primed to win ten games on the year with a showdown against Purdue at home next week. The Badgers close the year with a rivalry game at Minnesota.
Next Week: Purdue @ Wisconsin
6. Iowa (6-3, 3-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Iowa’s season took a step in the right direction after a huge victory over previously undefeated Minnesota. The Hawkeyes led the entire game and never looked back. A late comeback attempt was promptly shut down by the Iowa defense and the offense made just enough played to come out on top. After jumping out to a 20-3 lead, the Hawkeyes would hang on to win 23-19. A big showdown in the Big Ten west takes place in Iowa next week when Illinois comes to town looking for win number seven.
Next Week: Illinois @ Iowa (Noon on BTN)
7. Indiana (7-3, 4-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Lost to Penn State 34-27
The Hoosiers came painfully close to pulling off the huge upset once again. Indiana played well enough to give themselves a chance, but ultimately fell short. Be sure to visit HoosierHuddle.com regularly for news, updates, stories and more!
Next Week: Michigan @ Indiana (3:30pm on ABC)
8. Illinois (6-4, 4-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Bye Week
The Illini sat idle with the week off before entering a two-game stretch to close the year.
Next Week: Illinois @ Iowa (Noon on BTN)
9. Purdue (4-6, 3-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Bye Week
Purdue had the week off, heading into the bye week with two much-needed victories. With two wins to finish the season, the Boilermakers can become bowl eligible for the third consecutive year.
Next Week: Purdue @ Wisconsin
10. Michigan State (4-6, 2-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Lost to Michigan 44-10
Michigan State’s downward spiral of a season continued on Saturday with an embarrassing loss in the Big House. After jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, the Spartans got pounced. Michigan would outscore Michigan State 44-3 over the final three quarters of the game. Michigan State can still become bowl eligible as they close the year out with two favorable games against Rutgers and Maryland.
Next Week: Michigan State @ Rutgers (Noon on BTN)
11. Nebraska (4-6, 2-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Lost to Wisconsin 37-21
Scott Frost was signed to a two-year extension despite his early struggles trying to turn around the Nebraska program. The Cornhuskers defense could not stop Jonathan Taylor and the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday. Nebraska is now on the brink of bowl eligibility with six losses. With game against Maryland and Iowa remaining, can Frost and the Huskers salvage their season?
Next Week: Nebraska @ Maryland (3:30pm on BTN)
12. Maryland (3-7, 1-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Bye Week
Maryland enjoyed a much-needed bye week before their final two games of the season.
Next Week: Nebraska @ Maryland (3:30pm on BTN)
13. Northwestern (2-8, 0-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Defeated UMass 45-6
Northwestern got back in the win column with a blowout victory at home over University of Massachusetts. After their offense had perhaps its best showing of the season in a loss against Purdue last week, the Wildcats responded with another solid performance. Northwestern will face a tough competition with Minnesota coming into town next week. At this point, Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats are just looking for positives to build on as they sit winless in conference play with two games left.
Next Week: Minnesota @ Northwestern
14. Rutgers (2-8, 0-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Lost to Ohio State 56-21
Rutgers got trounced by Ohio State on Saturday, but there were some positives. Rutgers somehow scored 21 points against the Buckeyes, tied for the most any team has been able to score on Ohio State al year. Nevertheless, the Scarlet Knights fell to 2-8 on the year.
Next Week: Michigan State @ Rutgers (Noon on BTN)