Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Thirteen
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Written by Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)
Here are this week’s power rankings heading in to the regular season’s final week.
1. Ohio State (11-0, 8-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Defeated Penn State 28-17
The Buckeyes looked dominant on Saturday despite the final score indicating a much closer game. Ohio State raced out to a 21-0 lead, looking unstoppable in the process. Three fumbles from QB Justin Fields kept the game within reach for the Nittany Lions. Penn State scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter and looked like they had a chance to pull of the upset. Ohio State quickly put out the fire with a dominant fourth quarter. The Buckeyes have looked like the best team in the country from start to finish this season. Next week, Ohio State has a chance to complete their perfect season on the road against Michigan in what should be an entertaining edition of The Game.
Next Week: Ohio State @ Michigan (Noon on FOX)
2. Michigan (9-2, 6-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Defeated Indiana 39-14
Michigan is rolling now with fourth straight blowout victory in as many weeks. The Wolverines got off to a slow start as they let the Hoosiers hang around for the first 35 minutes of the game. Ultimately, Michigan pulled away with their talent as Shea Patterson had the best game of his career. Michigan’s defense adjusted after giving up two touchdown drives early on to IU. The Wolverines are loaded with confidence as the head into their matchup against Ohio State. With homefield advantage, Michigan will still be heavy underdogs against a juggernaut Buckeye team. UM has been dominating on both ends of the field, can all this momentum help them spark an upset next week?
Next Week: Ohio State @ Michigan (Noon on FOX)
3. Minnesota (10-1, 7-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Defeated Northwestern 38-22
Minnesota’s joy ride came to an end last week after nine consecutive victories. This week against Northwestern, the Gophers got right back on track. Minnesota jumped out to a 21-0 lead and never looked back. Next week, the Gophers face perhaps their toughest test of the season when Wisconsin comes to town. It’s been a storybook season for PJ Fleck and the Gophers, can they cap it off with a home win over their rival?
Next Week: Wisconsin @ Minnesota (3:30pm on ABC)
4. Penn State (9-2, 6-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Lost to Ohio State 28-17
It had to have been a heartbreaking loss for the Nittany Lions. After trailing 21-0, some timely turnovers and big plays in the third quarter gave PSU life. 17 unanswered points from the Nittany Lions had the game looking well within reach after a lopsided first half. It wasn’t enough as Penn State was shut down completely in the fourth quarter. They gave up over 400 yards of total offense to Ohio State while only gaining 227 themselves. Penn State will cruise to a 10-win season with Rutgers coming into town next week for the final game of the season.
Next Week: Rutgers @ Penn State
5. Wisconsin (9-2, 6-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Defeated Purdue 45-24
Wisconsin took care of business at home against a wounded Boilermaker team. The Badgers ran all over Purdue on Saturday and the game was never close after halftime. Star running back Jonathan Taylor exploded for 222 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Badgers can play their way into the Big Ten Championship Game next week with a win on the road against Minnesota.
Next Week: Wisconsin @ Minnesota (3:30pm on ABC)
6. Iowa (8-3, 5-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Defeated Illinois 19-10
Iowa is back on track with two straight victories. On Saturday at home, the Hawkeyes took care of business. A surging Illinois team came into town with aspirations of an upset. Despite an early touchdown, Illinois couldn’t get anything going. The Hawkeye defense was dominant, and the offense did just enough to secure the win. Next week, Iowa will travel to Nebraska on Friday for a chance to get to nine wins.
Next Week: Iowa @ Nebraska (Friday, 2:30pm on BTN)
7. Indiana (7-4, 4-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Lost to Penn State 34-27
The Hoosiers couldn’t stop Michigan on Saturday in the rain. After IU kept it close for the first half of play, Michigan pulled away in the third quarter. Be sure to visit HoosiersHuddle.com every day for news, updates, stories and more!
Next Week: Indiana @ Purdue (Noon on ESPN2)
8. Illinois (6-5, 4-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Lost to Iowa 19-10
Illinois couldn’t pull of another upset. The Illini pushed Iowa to the brink early on in the game, but after a TD pass from Brandon Peters, the offense stalled out. Iowa’s defense dominated the rest of the game and held Illinois to just 10 points. Their final game at home against in-state rival Northwestern provides Illinois with a great opportunity to guarantee a winning season.
Next Week: Northwestern @ Illinois
9. Michigan State (5-6, 3-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Lost to Michigan 44-10
Michigan State put a halt to their downward spiraling season with a much-needed victory over Rutgers. The Spartan defense was back on track, pitching a shutout of the Scarlet Knights. The Spartans can still become bowl eligible with a win next week at home against Maryland.
Next Week: Maryland @ Michigan State (3:30pm on FS1)
10. Purdue (4-7, 3-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Lost to Wisconsin 45-24
Purdue squandered their last chance at bowl eligibility. On the road at Wisconsin, the Boilermakers hung with the Badgers to start the game. Purdue managed 17 first half points against the vaunted Wisconsin defense. The Badgers would pull away in the third quarter. Jonathan Taylor racked up 222 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Purdue defense has struggled all season. While a bowl game is off the table, the Boilermakers can salvage some hope with a win against their rival next week.
Next Week: Indiana @ Purdue (Noon on ESPN2)
11. Nebraska (5-6, 3-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Defeated Maryland 54-7
The Cornhuskers walked into Maryland’s home turf and destroyed the Terrapins. Nebraska outgained Maryland 531 yards of offense to just 206. The Cornhuskers won the turnover battle 4 to 1 and the time of possession was nearly 40 minutes in Nebraska’s favor. Maryland only managed 9 first downs the entire game. Quarterback Adrian Martinez managed nearly 200 yards passing and nearly 100 yards rushing. It was a complete game from the Cornhuskers all around.
Next Week: Iowa @ Nebraska (Friday, 2:30pm on BTN)
12. Maryland (3-8, 1-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Lost to Nebraska 54-7
Maryland’s freefall continued with one of their worst losses of the season. Nebraska came into town and blew the doors off the Terrapins. Nebraska outgained Maryland 531 yards of offense to just 206. The Cornhuskers won the turnover battle 4 to 1 and the time of possession was nearly 40 minutes in Nebraska’s favor. Maryland only managed 9 first downs the entire game. Maryland has one more chance at an upset victory next week at Michigan state.
Next Week: Maryland @ Michigan State (3:30pm on FS1)
13. Northwestern (2-9, 0-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Lost to Minnesota 38-22
Northwestern’s nightmare season continued with a blowout loss against Minnesota at home. The Wildcats trailed 21-0 early in the game and could not recover despite scoring an impressive three touchdowns on offense. Northwestern has one final opportunity to secure their first and only conference victory when they travel to play Illinois next week.
Next Week: Northwestern @ Illinois
14. Rutgers (2-9, 0-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Lost to Michigan State 27-0
Rutgers failed to score a point after somehow putting up 21 against Ohio State’s defense last week. The Scarlet Knights face another tough test next week on the road against Penn State.
Next Week: Rutgers @ Penn State