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Michigan improved to 9-2 on the season with a 39-14 win over Indiana last week as it was the first time under head coach Jim Harbaugh that the Wolverines didn’t need overtime in Indiana to defeat the Hoosiers. That wasn’t the biggest game last week, as Ohio State defeated Penn State and showed signs of weakness at points in the game.
There were some wins that change up the entire rankings list ahead of the final week of regular-season play approaches as the Big Ten Championship game is next week. Check out my latest rankings.
1. OHIO STATE 11-0 (8-0)
Ohio State stays on top after they defeated Penn State 28-17 and keep their undefeated season alive. While quarterback Justin Fields had his worst performance this season by fumbling the football three times, running back J.K. Dobbins had a solid performance despite fumbling once. Dobbins finished with 157 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries.
The defense did a solid job in making sure passing the ball would be tough for the Nittany Lions as they held both Penn State quarterbacks to just 128 yards combined and an interception. Ohio State takes on Michigan this week in the biggest game of the season for them as they try and keep their undefeated and playoff hopes alive.
2. MINNESOTA 10-1 (7-1)
Minnesota was able to shake off the Northwestern Wildcats, winning 38-22 as quarterback Tanner Morgan had another impressive performance, going 15/23 for 211 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Minnesota also was able to rush for 212 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries.
The defense made Northwestern struggle in the passing game once again, having both quarterbacks combine by going 8/12 for 95 yards and a touchdown. Minnesota takes on Wisconsin this week as the winner takes on Ohio State next week in the Big Ten title game.
3. MICHIGAN 9-2 (6-2)
Michigan jumps over Penn State and Wisconsin despite having their losses being to them. The reason being, Michigan is playing better now than they were against the Badgers, and if they played like they did in the second half for all four quarters against Penn State, they would’ve won.
Last week they handled Indiana with ease for the first time in a while, winning 39-14. Quarterback Shea Patterson tried one-upping his performance against Michigan State by throwing for 366 yards with five touchdowns and an interception.
The defense had some struggles at first, but would later calm down and shut down the Hoosiers offense, holding the Hoosiers to 97 rushing yards on 37 carries, allowing the only two touchdowns of the game. Michigan takes on Ohio State this week as they try and play spoiler against the Buckeyes perfect season, and put a damper on their playoff hopes.
4. PENN STATE 9-2 (6-2)
Penn State falls only one spot after losing to Ohio State last week. They put up a good fight on offense, but with quarterback Sean Clifford getting injured, backup Will Levis had to step in and change up the offense. Penn State was able to get some action on the ground against Ohio State, finishing with 99 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries.
The defense did all they could for the offense as they forced four fumbles and recovered three of them, which helped keep the game close. Fields hasn’t had any issues with turnovers this season, but this was his worst game when it came to that. Penn State takes on Rutgers this week as they look to get their 10th win of the season.
5. WISCONSIN 9-2 (6-2)
Wisconsin falls a spot as they had some troubles with Purdue before pulling away, winning 45-24. Running back Jonathan Taylor had another impressive performance with 222 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, but the fumbling issues returned as he coughed it up twice.
The defense helped out greatly with the Badgers offense turning the football over four times. They forced Purdue to air it out as the Boilermakers could only muster up 50 yards on 20 carries. Wisconsin will try and upset the Golden Gophers next week and punch their ticket to a rematch against Ohio State in Indianapolis.
6. IOWA 8-3 (5-3)
Iowa was given a tough fight from Illinois, but pulled it out in the end, winning 19-10. Iowa had to move the ball through the air as quarterback Nate Stanley went 18/35 for 308 yards and an interception.
The defense helped the Hawkeyes lock up the victory as they forced Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters to go 16/31 for 125 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions, and a fumble. Iowa takes on Nebraska this week as they look to ruin the Cornhusker’s bowl eligibility.
7. INDIANA 7-4 (4-4)
Indiana put up a good fight against Michigan, but the injuries were too much on offense to put up any more points. Indiana was without their top wide receiver, Whop Philyor and wide receiver Ty Fryfogle would miss most of the game as well. Quarterback Peyton Ramsey went 17/29 for 217 yards with an interception and a fumble as the passing game was able to push the Wolverines back.
While the defense didn’t have an answer for Patterson, they did hold the Michigan running game in check, holding them to just 87 yards on 29 carries. Indiana takes on Purdue this week as they just are looking to improve their record for a better bowl game.
8. ILLINOIS 6-5 (4-4)
Illinois sits still after their tough fight against Iowa. While Peters struggled, the running game was able to help the offense despite never finding the endzone. They finished with 192 yards on 39 carries as they were the best thing the offense had going.
The defense couldn’t have much of an answer for Stanley, but when it came to stopping the Iowa rushing attack Illinois did just that. They held the Hawkeyes to 79 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries. Illinois takes on Northwestern this week as they look to improve their bowl game bid.
9. NEBRASKA 5-6 (3-5)
Nebraska jumps up two spots after having their way with Maryland, winning 54-7. Nebraska was able to just run the ball right through the Terrapins, getting 305 yards and four touchdowns on 57 carries.
Nebraska’s defense made Maryland regret trying to pass the football on them. Four different quarterbacks tried to attack the Cornhuskers secondary and none of them were able to do it. All four quarterbacks combined by going 7/21 for 57 yards. Nebraska will look to get into a bowl game as they try and upset Iowa in the season finale.
10. MICHIGAN STATE 5-6 (3-5)
Michigan State moves up after getting a shutout against Rutgers 27-0. Quarterback Brian Lewerke rebounded after the poor performance against Michigan, going 21/30 for 239 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
The defense also rebounded by not allowing Rutgers to score or get over 150 total offensive yards. They held Rutgers to just 140 yards and when it came to the pass defense, Michigan State did a good job at shutting that down. They held Rutgers quarterback Johnny Langan to 57 yards and an interception as he went 8/20. Michigan State takes on Maryland this week as they look to clinch a bowl game with a victory.
11. PURDUE 4-7 (3-5)
Purdue put up a good fight against Wisconsin, but it wasn’t enough in the end for them. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell did all he could by going 26/43 for 289 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
The defense did great at forcing turnovers on the Badgers, but they couldn’t have an answer for quarterback Jack Coan who went 15/19 for 203 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Purdue takes on Indiana this week as they try and come up a hair short to a bowl game.
12. MARYLAND 3-8 (1-7)
Maryland had a horrible performance last week, and while the passing game couldn’t do much, the running game could at least move the ball down the field. Running back Javon Leake had eight carries for 80 yards and a touchdown as he was the only player on the team to score.
The defense struggled to stop everything Nebraska had. When it came to the passing game, Nebraska quarterback played well, going 16/25 for 194 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, even getting 94 yards and a touchdown on the ground in his 10 carries. Maryland takes on Michigan State this week as they try and ruin the Spartans postseason possibilities.
13. NORTHWESTERN 2-9 (0-8)
Northwestern put up somewhat of a fight against Minnesota but ultimately failed. The ground game was able to find the end zone more than the passing game, as quarterback Andrew Marty finished with two rushing touchdowns and 52 yards on 16 of his carries as he didn’t do poorly in the passing game by going 8/10 for 95 yards and a touchdown.
The defense couldn’t stop either the run or the pass by the Golden Gophers, allowing 423 yards as both were almost equal in the damage done to the Wildcats defense. Northwestern takes on Illinois this week as they look to get their first Big Ten conference win of the season.
14. RUTGERS 2-9 (0-8)
Rutgers got shutout this week after dropping 21 on Ohio State the week before. The ground game was the only thing that could somewhat work for them as they had 83 yards on 27 carries against a tough Michigan State defense.
Rutgers defense couldn’t defend the pass but did better in stopping the rushing game by Michigan State. Running back Elijah Collins had 31 carries for 109 yards as he was the main back for the Spartans. Rutgers takes on Penn State as they try and upset the Nittany Lions and get their first Big Ten conference win of the season.