Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Five
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Written by Evan McShane
Week five in the Big Ten was deemed “Separation Saturday” as the top four teams all faced each other. This led to some shake up among the Big Ten Power Rankings.
1. Ohio State (4-0, Defeated Indiana 42-35)
Last Week: 1
It wasn’t pretty, but the Buckeyes took care of business at home against Indiana. After leaping out to a 35-7 lead early in the third quarter, Ohio State gave up a 28-7 rally to the Hoosiers. After getting torched all day, the Buckeye defense stopped IU short of completing the comeback and OSU hung on for the win. Justin Fields finally looked mortal as the Hoosier defense forced him into the worst game of his college career. The Bucks seemed vulnerable for the first time this season, but until proven otherwise, Ohio State is still top dog.
Next Week @ Illinois (Noon ET)
2. Northwestern (5-0, Defeated Wisconsin 17-7)
Last Week: 3
Northwestern’s defense is becoming the talk of the town, with their most recent gem against Wisconsin. NW forced the Badgers into five turnovers, three interceptions and two lost fumbles. The Wildcats offense gained just 263 yards total and 24 yards rushing, but it proved to be more than enough as Northwestern’s defense pitched a shutout over the final three quarters. The Wildcats now stand alone atop the Big Ten West and are the conference’s only team with five wins. Northwestern looks to stay undefeated against a struggling Michigan State team on the road next week.
Next Week vs. @ Michigan State (3:30pm ET)
3. Indiana (4-1, Lost to Ohio State 42-35)
Last Week: 2
The Hoosiers appeared to be headed for a blowout loss, falling behind to the Buckeyes 35-7 through the first 35 minutes of the game. Then, a masterful performance from quarterback Mike Penix Jr. and a defense that wouldn’t quit gave IU a chance. The Indiana defense forced OSU QB Justin Fields to throw three interceptions after he had been nearly perfect all season. Penix amassed 491 yards through the air to go with five touchdowns. Late in the fourth quarter Indiana had a chance for a game-tying drive but couldn’t make it happen. This Hoosier team is no longer looking for moral victories, but many around the college football world praised Indiana’s gutty performance on Saturday as an indicator of a program on the rise.
Next Week vs. Maryland (Noon ET)
4. Iowa (3-2, Defeated Penn State 41-21)
Last Week: 5
The Hawkeyes waltzed all over the wounded Nittany Lions on Saturday. Iowa jumped out to a 31-7 lead and never looked back. A balanced attacked got the job done as the Hawkeyes passed for 186 yards and rushed for 175. The Iowa defense forced four turnovers and held Penn State to just 62 rushing yards. After beginning the year 0-2, the Hawkeyes have ripped off three straight wins. Iowa hopes to make it four straight next Friday as Nebraska comes to town.
Next Week vs. Nebraska (Friday 1:00pm ET)
5. Wisconsin (2-1, Lost to Northwestern 17-7)
Last Week: 4
Wisconsin looked beatable for the first time this season in more ways than one. The Badgers turned the ball over five times and mustered just seven point against Northwestern. The Badgers tied the game up in the first quarter at 7-7, but their offense stalled out the rest of the game. After looking like the favorites to win the Big Ten West, Wisconsin is now just one game above .500 thanks to prior game cancellations. The Badgers hope to get back in the win column next week as they face an inconsistent Minnesota team.
Next Week vs. Minnesota (2:00pm ET)
6. Maryland (2-1, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 6
After two straight upset wins, the Terrapins momentum has been halted by a Covid-19 outbreak. Next week’s game against Indiana is in jeopardy and subsequently so is Maryland’s 2020 season.
Next Week @ Indiana (Noon ET)
7. Illinois (2-3, Defeated Nebraska 41-23)
Last Week: 9
After an 0-3 start, the Fighting Illini have ripped off two straight victories. For the first time in 2020, Illinois looked dominant, albeit Nebraska was their opponent. Regardless, it was an impressive road win for Lovie Smith’s squad as they manhandled the Huskers for 60 minutes. Last year’s Illinois team was defined by it’s upset wins, can they pull off the unthinkable next week against Ohio State?
Next Week vs. Ohio State (Noon ET)
8. Minnesota (2-3, Defeated Purdue 34-31)
Last Week: 10
It’s been an up-and-down season for the Minnesota Gophers and Friday’s game against Purdue was no different. Minnesota seemed in control for most of the game but couldn’t put the Boilers away. A gift of a pass interference penalty on a Purdue go-ahead touchdown gave the Gophers the victory. Minnesota has had a close win, a close loss, a blowout loss, and two blowout wins so far this season. The Gophers are anything but consistent. Next week’s game on the road against Wisconsin could be another wonky one.
Next Week @ Wisconsin
9. Purdue (2-2, Lost to Minnesota 34-31)
Last Week: 7
A 2-0 start and Big Ten West dreams for the Boilers have been erased by back-to-back losses the past two weeks. Friday night’s game against Minnesota was one Purdue fans won’t soon forget, as a potential game-winning touchdown was nullified by a phantom pass interference call. Rondale Moore returned to action and looked as explosive as ever. Moore and wide receiver David Bell make up what might be the most lethal pass catching duo in the conference, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Gophers on Friday. The Boilermakers hope to get back above .500 next week when Rutgers comes to West Lafayette.
Next Week @ vs. Rutgers (4:00pm ET)
10. Michigan (2-3, Defeated Rutgers 48-42 3OT)
Last Week: 12
Jim Harbaugh celebrating a triple overtime victory over Rutgers like he just won a bowl game is a perfect encapsulation of the 2020 Michigan Wolverines. After three straight losses, Michigan finally got back in the win column. The Wolverines went down early 17-0, but they didn’t quit. After looking like they’d hang on to win in regulation, Michigan gave up a last second TD and two-point conversion. It took a botched Rutgers’ field goal in overtime to make it possible, but Michigan made enough plays to walk out of New Jersey victorious.
Next Week vs. Penn State (Noon ET)
11. Nebraska (1-3, Lost to Illinois 41-23)
Last Week: 8
Nebraska’s nightmare season continued with a blowout loss at home to Illinois. The Cornhuskers never led on Saturday, falling behind 28-10 at halftime and failing to mount any sort of a comeback. Head coach Scott Frost is looking for answers and the fanbase is antsy as usual. The glory days of Nebraska football may have never seemed further away than they are right now. Next week’s test on the road against Iowa could get ugly.
Next Week @ Iowa (Friday 1:00pm ET)
12. Michigan State (1-3, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 11
The Spartans couldn’t get the sour taste of last week’s shutout loss to Indiana out of their mouths as Saturday’s game against Maryland was cancelled.
Next Week vs. Northwestern (3:30pm ET)
13. Rutgers (1-4, Lost to Michigan 48-42 3OT)
Last Week: 13
It was a wild game that saw almost 1,000 yards of total offense, but the Scarlet Knights couldn’t cap off the victory. Rutgers led for much of the game after jumping out to a 17-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Two Michigan touchdowns in the fourth quarter had Rutgers now trying to make a last second comeback. That they did, scoring a touchdown with 11 seconds left and converting the two-point attempt to send the game into overtime. In the first OT, Rutgers had a chance to win the game on a field goal but missed and ultimately lost in the third overtime.
Next Week @ Purdue (4:00pm ET)
14. Penn State (0-5, Lost to Iowa 41-21)
Last Week: 14
The Nittany Lions are 0-5 for the first time in school history. Penn State also made the national record books by being the first college football team to begin the season ranked in the top-ten and then lose their first five games. Saturday’s contest was hardly that and Iowa trounced Penn State from the jump. The Nittany Lions only rushed for 62 yards as a team and turned the ball over four times. Next week features a battle between the Big Ten’s most disappointing teams as Penn State heads to the Big House to play Michigan.
Next Week @ Michigan (Noon ET)