Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Seven
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Written by Evan McShane
The Big Ten is nearly complete with its regular season. Week seven saw two more games get cancelled as well as some results that shook up the middle of the pack. Here’s how we rank the Big Ten football teams.
1. Ohio State (5-0, Defeated Michigan State 52-12)
Last Week: 1
Ohio State needed to make a statement on Saturday against Michigan State, and they did just that with a 40-point blowout. The Buckeyes outgained the Spartans 521 yards to 261 and forced four turnovers on defense. OSU racked up 322 rushing yards to MSU’s 81 in a game that was never close. The Buckeyes led 28-0 at halftime and didn’t take their foot off the gas. If next week’s game against Michigan is cancelled, will the Big Ten amend the rules to allow Ohio State to play in the title game? For now, the Buckeyes sit atop the power rankings as the only remaining undefeated team in the conference.
Next Week vs. Michigan
2. Indiana (6-1, Defeated Wisconsin 14-6)
Last Week: 2
To say this has been a historic season for Indiana football would still be an understatement. The Hoosiers let their defense do the talking on Saturday in Madison, with enough of a boost from Jack Tuttle and the offense to put them over the top. Tuttle led a 53-yard touchdown drive after a Tiawan Mullen strip-sack to set the tone for the game. Indiana’s defense never let up, allowing just six points in the game. IU opened the second half with a 7-play 75-yard touchdown drive capped off with a beautiful TD pass from Tuttle to Whop Philyor on third and goal. That touchdown proved to be difference in the game. Despite being outgained 342 to 217, the Hoosiers leave Wisconsin with another ranked win under their belt and are the only team in the Big Ten with six wins. Indiana hopes to keep the Old Oaken Bucket in Bloomington next week as they go for win number seven.
Next Week vs. Purdue
3. Iowa (5-2, Defeated Illinois 35-21)
Last Week: 3
Iowa has ripped off five wins in a row after starting the season 0-2, and Saturday’s game resembled how this year has gone for the Hawkeyes. Iowa stumbled out of the gate, falling behind to Illinois 14-0 early in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes proceeded to score 35 unanswered points to beat the Illini 35-21. Iowa used a balanced attack to wear Illinois down with 220 passing yards to go with 204 rushing yards. The Hawkeyes join Ohio State as the only teams in the conference with five-game winning streaks. Iowa is one of the hottest teams in the conference and they’ll look to maintain this momentum when Wisconsin comes to town next week.
Next Week vs. Wisconsin
4. Northwestern (5-1, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 4
Northwestern had their game against Minnesota cancelled. After a 5-0 start, the Wildcats are coming off of their first loss of the season. Next week Northwestern will host an inconsistent Illinois team.
Next Week vs. Illinois
5. Wisconsin (2-2, Lost to Indiana 14-6)
Last Week: 5
The Badgers have had an up-and-down season with half their games getting cancelled. Wisconsin had two weeks to prepare for the Indiana Hoosiers but managed just two field goals throughout the entire game. The defense came to play, and the Badgers outgained the Hoosiers 342 yards to 217, but it wasn’t enough to outduel Indiana’s stellar D. Wisconsin is now just 2-2 on the season with two straight losses. A trip to Iowa to face a red-hot Hawkeye team awaits next week.
Next Week @ Iowa
6. Minnesota (2-3, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 7
It’s an indictment on how inconsistent the bottom half of the Big Ten has been to have 2-3 Minnesota sitting at number six in the power rankings, but here we are. The Gophers had their game against Northwestern cancelled Saturday. When they host Nebraska next week, Minnesota looks to make it three wins in their last four games.
Next Week @ Nebraska
7. Maryland (2-2, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 8
Maryland’s season has seen everything. Three cancelled games, two upset wins, and a pair of disappointing losses. The Terps can push their record over .500 with a win against Rutgers next week.
Next Week vs. Rutgers
8. Illinois (2-4, Lost to Iowa 35-21)
Last Week: 6
Illinois was coming into Saturday’s game riding a two-game win streak with two weeks to prepare. The Illini looked up to the task early, jumping out to an impressive 14-0 lead early against Iowa. Unfortunately for Lovie Smith and his team, the Hawkeyes posted 35 straight points against the orange. Now just 2-4 on the season, Illinois will look to pull off a big upset next week on the road against Northwestern.
Next Week @ Northwestern
9. Nebraska (2-4, Defeated Purdue 37-27)
Last Week: 13
Nebraska dominated the Boilermakers all day on Saturday and withstood a late Purdue rally to walk out of West Lafayette with a win. The Huskers bolted out to a 34-13 lead over the first two quarters and change. The Boilers potent offense stormed back with 21 unanswered points, but Nebraska’s defense made enough stops in the fourth quarter to hang on for the victory. In a battle between underachieving coaches, Scott Frost bested Jeff Brohm in this one. Nebraska now has two wins in their last three games and hope to carry this momentum into next week against Minnesota.
Next Week vs. Minnesota
10. Penn State (2-5, Defeated Rutgers 23-7)
Last Week: 14
After spending all season at the bottom of the Big Ten with five straight losses, the Nittany Lions have ripped off two straight wins. The Penn State defense led the way on Saturday, holding the Scarlet Knights to just seven points for the game. After their first 0-5 start in school history, James Franking and the Nittany Lions have avoided a total catastrophe. A third straight win next week against Michigan State would be another step in the right direction for Penn State.
Next Week vs. Michigan State
11. Michigan State (2-4, Lost to Ohio State 52-12)
Last Week: 9
The Spartans have had a rollercoaster season in 2020. Michigan State opened the year with a home loss to Rutgers, upset Michigan in the Big House, were shutout by Indiana at home, only to upset top-ten ranked Northwestern last week. Michigan State did not have another upset in them this week as Ohio State annihilated them 52-12. The Spartans will face Penn State next week as both teams look to get their third win of the season.
Next Week @ Penn State
12. Michigan (2-4, Game Cancelled)
Last Week: 12
The Wolverines stand pat at #12 in the power rankings as their game was cancelled against Maryland. Will Michigan be saved by Covid-19 from getting embarrassed by Ohio State next week? We’ll wait and see.
Next Week @ Ohio State
13. Rutgers (2-5, Lost to Penn State 23-7)
Last Week: 10
After picking up their second Big Ten win since 2017 last week against Purdue, Rutgers came into Saturday’s game on a high note. Unfortunately for the Scarlet Knights, they couldn’t overcome Penn State’s talent advantage. As bad as the Nittany Lions have been in 2020, they still managed to shutout Rutgers completely. The Scarlet Knights managed just 205 yards of total offense. Next week, Rutgers will go for their third conference win of the year for the third time since joining the Big Ten in 2014.
Next Week @ Maryland
14. Purdue (2-4, Lost to Nebraska 37-27)
Last Week: 11
The Boilers now boast the Big Ten’s longest losing streak at four games. After a 2-0 start, Purdue is left searching for answers following the latest loss at home against Nebraska. The Boilermakers fell behind to the Cornhuskers 34-13 and their 21-point rally wasn’t enough to overcome it. This is the first of Purdue’s four losses to come by more than one score, but it was still a close game. Close won’t cut it in Big Ten football. The Boilermakers can salvage some positivity this season next week with an upset over their rival in Bloomington.
Next Week @ Indiana