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Michigan got a big win over Michigan State last week, winning 44-10 as it was the biggest Big Ten game last week despite the records of both teams. It wasn’t the only huge game in the conference though, as Iowa was able to ruin Minnesota’s undefeated season, and possibly ruin their College Football Playoff chances, along with leaving them in doubt of going to Indianapolis in a few weeks.
We saw some shift among the bottom seven teams in my latest power rankings for the Big Ten, check them out below.
1. OHIO STATE 10-0 (7-0)
Ohio State was supposed to blow out Rutgers this week and while they did win 56-21, the score was closer than many predicted. Quarterback Justin Fields had a great game, going 15/19 for 305 yards and four touchdowns as he led the offense as the passing game was the bread and butter for the offense.
The defense allowed Rutgers to put up 231 yards of offense on them and find the end zone three times. They were given some fits from the Rutgers rushing attack that got 110 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries. Ohio State takes on Penn State this week as if they win they are going to the Big Ten Championship game.
2. MINNESOTA 9-1 (6-1)
Minnesota doesn’t fall despite losing their first game of the season to Iowa 23-19. Quarterback Tanner Morgan went 25/36 for 368 yards and a touchdown as he led the offense in their efforts to win the game.
The defense had issues with trying to stop Iowa’s passing game, letting their quarterback Nate Stanley go 14/23 for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Their defense held Iowa to 290 yards while their offense put up over 400 yards, but they still couldn’t get the win. They take on Northwestern this week as they try and keep themselves in the driver seat in the Big Ten West.
3. PENN STATE 9-1 (6-1)
Penn State had a tough test this week in Indiana, winning 34-27. Penn State’s ground game was the deciding factor as they scored three times on 45 carries for 192 yards. Running back Journey Brown had 21 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown.
The defense was having issues with Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey, letting him go 31/41 for 371 yards and a touchdown, along with 12 carries for 31 yards and two touchdowns. Penn State was able to hold on though and this week’s game defines their season. If Penn State can win against Ohio State, they just need to win their final game and they go to Indianapolis.
4. WISCONSIN 8-2 (5-2)
Wisconsin was struggling at first but ended up pulling away against Nebraska, winning 37-21. Running back Jonathan Taylor had another good game, getting 204 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, but he did fumble once.
The Badgers defense allowed almost 500 yards of offense as they were getting gashed by the Nebraska offense. Nebraska ran for 273 yards on 37 carries and they scored twice. Wisconsin takes on Purdue this week as they try and keep their Big Ten Championship hopes alive.
5. MICHIGAN 8-2 (5-2)
Michigan got a huge rivalry win last week as they dominated Michigan State 44-10. Quarterback Shea Patterson had his best game at Michigan ever, going 24/33 for 384 yards with four passing touchdowns. Patterson threw for over 300 yards for the first time at Michigan and the offense finally looked like a well-oiled machine.
The defense was able to hold MSU in check, holding them to just 54 rushing yards on 30 carries. Michigan forced two turnovers and blocked a punt as it was just a dominant game by the defense. Michigan takes on a feisty Indiana team this week as they will have to be on the lookout for a possible upset.
6. IOWA 7-3 (4-3)
Iowa jumps up a spot after upsetting Minnesota 23-19. Iowa was able to run somewhat on the Golden Gophers defense, getting 117 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries.
Iowa’s defense struggled to stop the passing attack from Minnesota, but when it came to stopping the run they did that with ease. They held Minnesota to just 63 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. Iowa takes on Illinois this week in what could be a solid matchup.
7. INDIANA 7-3 (4-3)
Indiana falls down a spot after coming up short on beating Penn State, losing 34-27. While Ramsey had himself a good game, the running game couldn’t get much going without him. Besides Ramsey’s carries, the running attack for Indiana only got 60 yards on 19 carries, never finding the end zone.
The defense did all they could to stop Penn State’s quarterback Sean Clifford, having him go 11/23 for 179 yards and a touchdown, but let him rush for two touchdowns and 55 yards on 10 carries along with a fumble. Indiana takes on Michigan this week as they look to get a big win for the first time this season.
8. ILLINOIS 6-4 (4-3)
Illinois was on a bye week last week. This week they take on Iowa as they look to improve their bowl stock.
9. PURDUE 4-6 (3-4)
Purdue was on a bye week last week. This week they take on Wisconsin as they look to keep their bowl hopes alive as one more loss knocks them out of the postseason antics.
10. NEBRASKA 4-6 (2-5)
Nebraska gave Wisconsin a scare in the first half, only down 27-14 as quarterback Adrian Martinez had himself a game, going 13/23 for 220 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but he also had 89 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
The defense couldn’t stop the running game from Wisconsin but also had some troubles with their quarterback Jack Coan, who went 13/21 for 162 yards and a touchdown. Nebraska takes on Maryland this week as they try and keep their bowl hopes alive.
11. MICHIGAN STATE 4-6 (2-5)
Michigan State falls down a spot after getting embarrassed by the Wolverines, losing 44-10. Quarterback Brian Lewerke had a better game than last season, but he still struggled as he went 17/30 for 166 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
While the MSU defense was getting torched by Patterson, they held Michigan’s ground game in check, holding them to 83 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries. MSU takes on Rutgers this week as they look to try and keep their sights on a bowl game after this season.
12. MARYLAND 3-7 (1-6)
Maryland had a bye week last week. This week they take on Nebraska as they try and ruin the Cornhusker’s bowl chances as Maryland is already eliminated from bowl play.
13. NORTHWESTERN 2-8 (0-7)
Northwestern moves up after getting their second win of the season as they beat UMASS 45-6. Northwestern won this game on the ground as nine different people ran the ball for a combined 52 carries for 334 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Aidan Smith only went 7/13 for 76 yards and threw two interceptions.
The defense did well in holding UMASS to 83 yards on 31 carries on the ground. They had issues in the passing defense, allowing both UMASS quarterbacks to combine for 227 yards on 25 passes, but they did force an interception. Northwestern takes on Minnesota this week as they could try and ruin their underdog season.
14. RUTGERS 2-8 (0-7)
Rutgers falls into the last slot of the rankings after they lost 56-21 to Ohio State. The offense put up a good fight as quarterback Johnny Langan went 12/26 for 121 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. The ground game scored twice with 110 yards on 40 carries.
The defense struggled to restrict the passing attack from Ohio State, but they did better than expected in holding the ground game to 217 yards and two touchdowns on 44 carries. Rutgers plays Michigan State this week as they try and knock MSU out of bowl eligibility.
