1. Michigan (9-1, 7-0)
Previous: 1. Last week: W 42-7 at Rutgers.
No. 4 Michigan allowed the same amount of points to Rutgers and Penn State in back-to-back weeks. Not sure if that’s a compliment for the Scarlet Knights or an insult to the Nittany Lions. The Wolverines control their own destiny from here on out with Indiana and Ohio State left on the schedule. Win out and the team is CFP bound. Lose and chaos ensues.
2. Ohio State (9-1, 6-1)
Previous: 2. Last week: W 26-6 at Michigan State.
The No. 10 Buckeyes had an old fashioned “Punt, Pass and Kick” competition with the Spartans. Emphasis on the punt. Drue Chrisman booted the ball nine times including six inside the 20 and five inside the 6-yard line. No special teams player of the week for Chrisman however, surely a robbery. Despite the woes on both sides, Ohio State’s 17-point fourth quarter sealed the game. With Maryland and Michigan left, Ohio State still has an outside shot at the Big Ten title and a spot in the playoff.
3. Northwestern (6-4, 6-1)
Previous: 3. Last week: W 14-10 at Iowa.
The No. 22 Wildcats have cracked the Top 25 and have almost solidified themselves as the third-best team in the conference. Sounds weird looking at the record, but there’s not a whole lot of good behind them. A classic low-scoring affair with the Hawkeyes, sealed with a late touchdown and stout defense. Isaiah Bowser’s 31 carries for 165 yards and one touchdown powered the performance. Bowser helped Northwestern capture the West, next is the princess…eh, maybe after a brief stop in Indianapolis.
4. Penn State (7-3, 4-3)
Previous: 4. Last week: W 22-10 vs. Wisconsin.
The No. 14 Nittany Lions soared up the national rankings after a wild weekend in front of them. A big win against Wisconsin thanks to the duo of McSorley and Sanders, while the defense handled its business. Penn State finally looked like the team we remember. Two winnable games left for James Franklin and the focus can turn to the future.
5. Michigan State (6-4, 4-3)
Previous: 5. Last week: L 26-6 vs. Ohio State.
What a week and what a season for the Spartans so far. An intentional safety, six measly points and dropped out of the polls. What else? The number of punters used matches their power ranking. Coincidence? Yes, actually. Michigan State isn’t great, but neither are the other 10 teams surrounding them. The defense keeps the game close, but a tough road game is on the horizon. The Spartans opened as a small favorite over the Huskers and need a big performance to avoid loss number five.
6. Wisconsin (6-4, 4-3)
Previous: 6. Last week: L 22-10 at Penn State.
It’s odd to think that this is the worst Wisconsin team we’ve seen since 2008 (7-6). In fact, The Badgers haven’t had a season without double-digit wins since 2013. Who could’ve guessed that this team actually needed Alex Hornibrook? Jonathan Taylor ran it 20 times for 185 yards and a 71-yard touchdown. Taylor is trying his best to keep the team in games, however it’s futile. Paul Chryst and company can still get to eight wins, but Purdue and Minnesota will give Wisconsin a run for its money.
7. Nebraska (3-7, 2-5)
Previous: 10 Last week: W 54-35 vs. Illinois.
Nebraska is easily the best three-win team in the nation. It’s hard to look at the performances on the field and think this team can’t beat most of the Big Ten. So seventh feels right for me. Seven is also the number of games with 450-plus total yards of offense that the Huskers have had in a row. You tell me if Michigan was a turning point or not. Devine Ozigbo will reach 1,000 yards rushing and he picked up his first Big Ten offensive POTW award. Adrian Martinez also collected his third Big Ten freshman POTW award. The Huskers wore alternate uniforms against Illinois to celebrate the past and will now attempt to turn the clock back to 2015 on Saturday.
8. Iowa (6-4, 3-4)
Previous: 8. Last week: L 14-10 vs. Northwestern.
The Hawkeyes (sigh) are still the most boring team in the Big Ten and fell out of the polls. And in case you forgot, Rutgers does still play in the conference. Nate Stanley threw for 269 yards and the rest of the offense had 64 yards. Northwestern’s defense just outlasted Iowa. Iowa is the only bowl-eligible team in the bottom half of the power rankings and may not be the best team. A high-powered Illinois offense this week and a season-ending matchup with Nebraska, arguably the best offense in the conference. Iowa needs the next win, but the final West standings are decided on Black Friday.
9. Purdue (5-5, 4-3)
Previous: 7. Last week: L 41-10 at Minnesota.
The Boilermakers were boat raced out of the Twin Cities and trailed 41-3 until a late score by Rondale Moore. When will these teams become predictable? Every week is like closing your eyes and throwing a dart into a void. Purdue has been an unlucky team this season, but now we see that they’re just mediocre. Now would be the time to take down Wisconsin, a task that may seem impossible for Purdue. But falling flat this week puts the pressure on a road game in Bloomington for bowl eligibility.
10. Minnesota (5-5, 2-5)
Previous: 13. Last week: W 41-10 vs. Purdue.
The Gophers have righted their wrongs and need one more win to go bowling. Of course, they could lose two more times and go bowling at the local alley on Student Night. An impressive 31-point win over Purdue means a lot for team morale, but not so much in the final outcome of the season. Division-winner Northwestern comes to town and then a trip to Madison for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. An axe that has found a cozy home for the past 14 years in Wisconsin. P.J. Fleck may be in trouble soon.
11. Indiana (5-5, 2-5)
Previous: 12. Last week: W 34-32 vs. Maryland.
Tom Allen’s Home Improvement isn’t in a great position this season. However, a win over struggling Maryland propels Indiana within one win of a bowl game. It took some heroics from Peyton Ramsey and a go-ahead field goal from Logan Justus to seal the deal. Every stat column except turnovers, the Hoosiers lost to the Terrapins. It apparently didn’t matter. Indiana now has to travel to Michigan and faces Purdue at home to end the season. Can the Big Ten get another bowl-eligible team?
12. Illinois (4-6, 2-5)
Previous: 11. Last week: L 54-35 at Nebraska.
AJ Bush had a phenomenal return to Nebraska, rushing for 187 yards and three touchdowns. Illinois’ defense just can’t stop anybody. Especially a team like Nebraska. Five turnovers for any team is also a major killer, even if you have 509 yards of offense. A triumphant return quickly became a sour exit as the Fighting Illini continue to fight for six wins. Illinois gets Iowa at home this weekend, which based on recent offensive performances may favor the Illini.
13. Maryland (5-5, 3-4)
Previous: 9. Last week: L 34-32 at Indiana.
Not only did Maryland fall, they fell far and fast. The Terrapins could only stay in the top 10 for so long and they’ve finally overstayed their welcome. Lucky for them, Maryland can’t fall again. The Terrapins stormed back against the Hoosiers and were in position to win number six. A failed two-point conversion, a late field goal and a fumble ended those hopes for at least a week. The hopes may have ended altogether in Week 11. Ohio State and Penn State await Maryland, a team that needs just a little bit of luck on its side.
14. Rutgers (1-9, 0-7)
Previous: 14. Last week: L 42-7 vs. Michigan.
Rent is due every week in the power rankings and Rutgers’ payment is four months overdue. The Scarlet Knights might want to sign up for a 30-year mortgage to save money on last-place property. Rutgers had Michigan on the ropes when the first quarter ended at 7-7. I was three quarters away from having to streak down O Street. The one time I would’ve been elated to do so. Lucky for everyone involved, including the Big Ten’s playoff chances, Michigan is way better than Rutgers. However, Rutgers was just the fourth team this season to have more than 250 yards against Michigan and the first since Wisconsin. Notre Dame and SMU were the other two. One day, the Scarlet Knights will return to power. It just won’t be against Penn State or Michigan State. Hell, it probably won’t be in the Big Ten either.
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