MY BIG TEN FOOTBALL POWER RANKINGS

WILDCATS MAKE JUMP AFTER WIN OVER BADGERS

The Northwestern Wildcats and Penn State Nittany Lions picked up big wins in a somewhat quiet weekend in Big Ten Football.

Week 9 in the Big Ten Football Conference didn’t have as many fireworks as the previous weeks have but it still provided us some entertaining games. The West division stole the light this past Saturday as a clear number one emerged from a heavy crowd.

The Northwestern Wildcats improved to 5-1 in conference play and took sole possession of the division following their win over the Wisconsin Badgers. The Wildcats also had some help from the Penn State Nittany Lions, who picked up a big win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, and the Michigan State Spartans, who ended the Purdue Boilermakers’ four-game win streak.

There weren’t a lot of changes in our power rankings but the Wildcats made the leap inside the top five, creating a whole new landscape to the Big Ten power rankings. The rankings probably won’t go through many changes following this weekend’s action, as there is only one conference matchup that has conference and playoff implications, as Penn State goes on the road to take on the Michigan Wolverines.

But before Week 10’s games are played, take a look at our updated Big Ten Football Power Rankings:

14: RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS 1-7 (0-5)

Last week: Bye

Last rank: 14

Well, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights did not lose in Week 9 but they also didn’t win. But their bye week was probably the Scarlet Knights best performance all season. Rutgers has become one of those Group of Five teams that no one talks about or wants to watch. And the Scarlet Knights travel to Wisconsin this Saturday to take on the Badgers, which means another big loss is coming their way.

The Badgers are one of the best defensive teams in the Big Ten Conference, and the Rutgers offense is one of the worst in the nation. If Rutgers can get on the board or even gain over 150 yards, I would say it was a successful game for the Scarlet Knights. Don’t worry Rutgers’ fan this ongoing nightmare is almost over…I think.

13: ILLINOIS ILLINI 3-5 (1-4)

Last week: L, 63-33 @ Maryland

Last rank: 12

The Illinois Illini’s chances at making a bowl game are sitting at less than one percent following their embarrassing loss to the Maryland Terrapins. While the Illini offense has played well, their defense has allowed at least 46 points in four of their last five games. And with this scoring rate the defense is allowing, the Illini’s chances of winning another game coincide with their chances of making the postseason.

The Illini take on Minnesota this weekend, but don’t expect anything spectacular, Minnesota’s offense isn’t great but it has big play ability to put this game away early. The Illini got off to a good start this season, but it’s still going to end as it has previously: less than four wins, no bowl game and contemplating a coaching change.

12: NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS 2-6 (1-4)

Last week: W, 45-9 vs Bethune-Cookman

Last rank: 13

The Nebraska Cornhuskers picked up their second win of the season and second win in a row, after their scrimmage against Bethune-Cookman. But that win streak will most likely come to an end as the Cornhuskers are on the road in Week 10 to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. This one could get out of hand pretty quickly for the Cornhuskers but with everything starting to come together, Nebraska could keep this one close.

Following their game with the Buckeyes, the Cornhuskers will look to win out to finish just one game shy of .500. It’s definitely not the end result of the season that they wanted to have, but it would provide much to build on heading into the 2019 season. You never want to look ahead, but finishing strong could provide to a strong start to next season, and right now, that’s what it’s all about for the Cornhuskers.

11: INDIANA HOOSIERS 4-5 (1-5)

Last week: L, 38-31 @ Minnesota

Last rank: 10

The Indiana Hoosiers suffered their fourth loss in a row this past Saturday following their 38-31 loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Hoosiers battle backed from a 31-9 deficit to tie the game late in the fourth quarter but Minnesota’s late touchdown put the Hoosiers below .500 on the season. After struggling through the first three quarters, Peyton Ramsey showed out in their comeback attempt, throwing for two scores, and two 2-point conversions.

The Hoosiers chances of making a bowl game aren’t looking good at the present moment, With three games to go against, Michigan, Maryland and Purdue, the Hoosiers will have to win two of those games to become bowl eligible. The Hoosiers season once looked to be headed into the direction of a seven win season but now has the Hoosiers finishing near the bottom of the conference.

10: MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS 4-4 (1-4)

Last week: W, 38-31 vs Indiana

Last rank: 11

The Minnesota Golden Gophers ended their four-game conference losing streak, and picked up their first conference win on the 2018 season, following their win over the Indiana Hoosiers. But as mentioned above, the Golden Gophers almost lost the game after surrendering their 22-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

Minnesota is all about “rowing the boat” but their boat shares some fellow passengers, that like the Golden Gophers, are relying on an upset win in their final set of games to become bowl eligible. Minnesota has showed some promise in their second season under PJ Fleck, but missing the postseason this year is under the category of disappointing

9: MARYLAND TERRAPINS 5-3 (3-2)

Last week: W, 63-33 vs Illinois

Last rank: 8

The Maryland Terrapins moved to just one win away from becoming bow eligible after their 30-point win over the Illinois Illini. And while most think that the Terrapins sixth win will come in Week 11 over the Indiana Hoosiers, everyone should be tuned in to their Week 10 matchup against the Michigan State Spartans. While the Spartans are favored, they’ve also been inconsistent throughout the season.

While it has been a down here for the Spartans, this would be a big win for Maryland as they try to garner some respect in the Big Ten East. And the same could be said about the Terrapins finishing at 7-5 or better, as opposed to finishing at .500. But the biggest storyline heading into this game is the return and subsequent dismissal of head coach D.J. Durkin. Will the off field drama prove too much for this team to handle?

8: PURDUE BOILERMAKERS 4-4 (3-2)

Last week: L, 23-13 @ Michigan State

Last rank: 7

The Purdue Boilermakers four-game winning streak came to an end in Week 9 after their offense turned the ball over three times and ran for just 62 yards against the Michigan State Spartans. Purdue had its chances to knock of the Spartans but their turnovers would prove costly to any attempt at a comeback. David Blough had his worst game of the season, as all three turnovers came from him and was kept out of the end zone in both the air and ground game.

Purdue looks to get back in the win column this Saturday with a home game against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Purdue is in great shape to make a bowl game for the second consecutive season, their first time since 2011-12. But if Purdue’s offense continues to come out flat, and doesn’t get back to true form, the Boilermakers could be scrapping for that much need sixth win in the final week of the season.

7: MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS 5-3 (3-2)

Last week: W, 23-13 vs Purdue

Last rank: 6

The Michigan State Spartans continued their up-and-down season with a much-needed win over the Purdue Boilermakers. Despite injuries at wide receiver, and quarterback Brian Lewerke sitting out, the Spartans passed for 318 yards and two scores after a stellar performance from freshman quarterback, Rocky Lombardi. Supporting Lombardi, was the Spartan defense who came up with three picks and only allowed one touchdown.

The Spartans will make a bowl game this season, but depending on which team shows up for the Spartans, will determine if they finish at .500 or have a winning record. But after Lombardi’s performance, the question now moves to who will start at quarterback when Lewerke returns. Will the Spartans stick with the veteran or move on to the young gun?

6: WISCONSIN BADGERS 5-3 (3-2)

Last week: L, 31-17 @ Northwestern

Last rank: 5

The Wisconsin Badgers’ disappointing season continued in Week 9 as they fell to the Northwestern Wildcats, 31-17. The Badgers offense was held to 158 passing yards and running back Jonathan Taylor didn’t even reach the 50-yard mark and had two of the Badgers’ three lost fumbles. And while the offense struggled, the Badgers defense gave up almost 350 yards, and if it wasn’t for them forcing three interceptions, this game could’ve gone a lot worse.

The Badgers get to let their frustration out this Saturday as they host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The offense should get things going early, and the defense should pitch a shutout, in a game that could be over before it even started. The Badgers will use this game as preparation, as they travel to Happy Valley just a week later.

5: NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS 5-3 (5-1)

Last week: W, 31-17 vs Wisconsin

Last rank: 9

The Northwestern Wildcats are the best team in the Big Ten West. The Wildcats are 5-1 in conference play with just three conference games left to play. A win in their next conference game, which is at Iowa, would almost seal their trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten conference championship game. And the fact they aren’t ranked in this year’s first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings in shocking.

But the Wildcats will have a chance to jump into the rankings as they finish their non-conference schedule this Saturday, hosting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This is a game to watch as Northwestern has come up with some big wins all season and playing in Evanston can always provide trouble for visiting teams. But regardless of the outcome of their game against the Irish, the Wildcats still have plenty to look forward to in conference play.

4: IOWA HAWKEYES 6-2 (3-2)

Last week: L, 30-24 @ Penn State

Last rank: 4

After jumping out to a 12-0 lead on Saturday, the Iowa Hawkeyes picked up their second loss on the season to the Penn State Nittany Lions. Iowa scored almost every way imaginable: two safeties, two field goals, a touchdown pass from their punter to a defensive lineman, and a pick-six. But none of this was enough to pick up the crucial road win.

The Iowa Hawkeyes next two games are pivotal as they take on Purdue and Northwestern, and one loss could end the Hawkeyes chances at making the Big Ten Championship game. The Hawkeyes offense will need to bounce back if they want to avoid being eliminated from the conference title game as Purdue’s offense has been one of the best in the Big Ten since conference play started.

3: PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS 6-2 (3-2)

Last week: W, 30-24 vs Iowa

Last rank: 3

The Penn State Nittany Lions picked up their biggest win on the season following their victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes. The game looked to be heading into the Hawkeyes’ favor as the combination of crazy scores, and Trace McSorley being injured, provide little hope for the Nittany Lions. But the Penn State defense didn’t allow one touchdown and McSorley came back in the second half and led the Nittany Lions to the win.

Penn State now goes on the road to keep their New Year’s Six hopes alive, as they go head-to-head with the Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines defense could slow up McSorley and Penn State’s offense, providing a tough game to win for the Nittany Lions. But their defense that has been improving week-in and week-out could be the difference maker in this one.

2: OHIO STATE BUCKEYES 7-1 (4-1)

Last week: Bye

Last rank: 2

The Ohio State Buckeyes are back in action in Week 10 for the first time since their upset loss against the Purdue Boilermakers. The Buckeyes host a Nebraska team that has been disappointing but are hungry for an upset win themselves. The Buckeyes must be careful in this one as Nebraska does have the talent and potential to hand the Buckeyes their second consecutive loss.

But with a bye week between games, this Buckeye team should be much improved and ready to get back to winning. This game could be an upset but will most likely be a blowout that sees Dwayne Haskins sitting out much of the second half. Ohio State’s playoff chances are still high, but they must win out or they’ll be on the outside looking in, even with a conference title.

1: MICHIGAN WOLVERINES 7-1 (5-0)

Last week: Bye

Last rank: 1

The Michigan Wolverines are fresh off a bye week as they host the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Wolverines defense is good enough to not make this a game but their offense could do just the opposite of that. For Michigan to win, they’ll need to feed the ball to Karan Higdon who has emerged as the team’s best player on offense. If Higdon can get going, it’ll open up the Wolverines’ air game against a shaky Penn State secondary.

Everything is going the Wolverines’ way as they search for their first ever playoff appearance and first conference title since 2004. The Wolverines aren’t a high powered offense, but with their big offensive line and run game, they’ll play keep away and grind games out with their stingy defense. Can the Wolverines keep their season intact? Or will Penn State land a crushing blow?

NEXT: Picks for Week 10's biggest games

We are heading into the fourth quarter of the season, and although there are front-runners and favorites, there is still a lot to be determined in the Big Ten!