Big Ten Power Rankings Week 8: The State of Michigan Asserts Its Dominance

Big Ten Power Rankings Week 8

The state of Michigan had an unbelievable weekend. The Michigan Wolverines asserted their dominance on the defensive side of the ball in a blowout victory over Wisconsin. Michigan State pulled a rabbit out of their hat and escaped Penn State with a last-second victory. Now, the in-state rivals will face each other this Saturday in East Lansing with huge Big Ten implications on the line. Where do both teams fall in the Big Ten Power Rankings Week 8? Find out below

Here are last week’s Big Ten Power Rankings for reference.

14. Nebraska (0-6)

Lost to Northwestern, 34-31

Nebraska, you were so close to winning your first game! Northwestern had to score 10 points in under 6 minutes in the fourth quarter to tie the score, where the Wildcats pulled out the win in overtime. Will Scott Frost win a game this year? This week, they will have an excellent chance to win as Minnesota comes into town.

13. Rutgers (1-6)

Lost to Maryland, 34-7

I’m running out of things to say about Rutgers. They just don’t belong in the Big Ten. The competition is too stiff, and they play in the harder side of the conference with Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, and Michigan. That’s just not fair. Then again, Rutgers was blown out by Kansas and Buffalo, so this team can’t beat anyone right now. In three years under Chris Ash, Rutgers has lost a staggering 15 out of 24 games by more than 20 points. Hot seat: Chris Ash. Rutgers hosts Northwestern on Saturday.

12. Illinois (3-3)

Lost to Purdue, 46-7

Did I jinx Illinois? Last week, I said it’s time to start “Bowl Watch” for Illinois after accumulating three wins. This past Saturday against Purdue, they were steamrolled from start to finish. After scoring the first touchdown of the game, Purdue scored the last 46 points of the game to win handily. Unfortunately, Illinois has to travel to Camp Randall to play a Wisconsin team that will be looking to take out their frustration after a blowout loss to Michigan. Pray for the Illini.

11. Minnesota (3-3)

Lost to Ohio State, 30-14

If we’re honest, I was super impressed with Minnesota this past Saturday. They hung around the entire game against Ohio State in Columbus. Going into the game, Ohio State was averaging 56.75 points per game at home and beat teams by an average of 40.25 points. Minnesota held Ohio State to 30 points and only lost by 16. Moral victories don’t win games, but they help build programs. I’m starting to believe in PJ Fleck. Minnesota travels to Lincoln to play Nebraska on Saturday.

10. Indiana (4-3)

Lost to Iowa, 42-16

Indiana had another chance to beat a quality Big Ten opponent but was blown out of their own building against Iowa. Indiana is now 1-3 against conference opponents with their one win coming against Rutgers. The bottom line is that Iowa’s defense pushed Indiana’s offense around especially at the line of scrimmage. Indiana only rushed for 67 yards on the day. Indiana will have another chance to beat a top-notch Big Ten opponent when they welcome Penn State to Bloomington on Saturday.

9. Purdue (3-3)

Beat Illinois, 46-7

Purdue scored 46 unanswered points this past Saturday after falling behind 7-0 to Illinois. Don’t look now but Purdue is now 3-3 after beginning the season 0-3. The offense has been the key to the turnaround as the Boilermakers are averaging just below 40 points a game during their three-game winning streak. Purdue has a chance to shock the country if they can pull off the upset victory at home on Saturday night against Ohio State.

8. Maryland (4-2)

Beat Rutgers, 34-7

Dominate on the ground and be efficient through the air is going to be Maryland’s ride or die offense. The Terps running game exploded once again for 290 yards and 1 TD. However, quarterback Kasim Hill only accumulated 76 yards through the air, but it resulted in 3 TDs. I still do not believe this formula can beat the top teams in the conference, but it’s lead to 4 wins so far including a standout victory over Texas, so I can’t argue it doesn’t provide results. Maryland will turn heads if they defeat Iowa in Kinnick on Saturday.

7. Northwestern (3-3)

Beat Nebraska in OT, 34-31

The Wildcats won their second straight game after scoring 10 points in the final 5:41 to force overtime, where they eventually defeated the Cornhuskers on a field goal. Quarterback Clayton Thorson continues to put the Wildcats on his back and deliver in big situations. Thorson finished with a career-high 455 yards and three touchdowns. Northwestern will look to make it 3 in a row on Saturday against Rutgers.

6. Wisconsin (4-2)

Beat to Michigan, 38-13

Wisconsin had a chance to separate themselves from the rest of the pack in the Big Ten with a win over Michigan. However, the Badgers put up a dud on Saturday night and lost by 25 points. Credit to Michigan’s defense for holding the Badgers running game to 183 yards as opposed to their average of 269.7. It’s no secret in how to beat Wisconsin. Stack the box and make quarterback Alex Hornibrook throw the ball. Against Michigan, Hornibrook threw for 100 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs for a QBR. of 0.7 (!!!). The Badgers are going nowhere if that poor play continues. Wisconsin plays at home against Illinois on Saturday.

5. Penn State (4-2)

Lost to Michigan State, 21-17

Penn State just can’t buy a break. In 2017, Penn State lost in heartbreaking fashion to Ohio State and Michigan State in back-to-back weeks. History repeated itself in 2018 as Penn State once again lost in heartbreaking fashion to Ohio State and Michigan State in back-to-back weeks. James Franklin needs to figure out how to close out games if they ever want to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Penn State travels to Indiana on Saturday afternoon.

4. Michigan State (4-2)

Beat Penn State, 21-17

Will the real Michigan State please stand up? Two weeks ago, the Spartans looked lost in all facets of the game after losing to Northwestern at home. This past Saturday, the Spartans rallied back in the fourth quarter to win the game on a Brian Lewerke touchdown pass with 19 seconds left to defeat the Nittany Lions. It’s crazy how in one week, the entire outlook of your season changes. Michigan State now controls its own destiny and can make the Big Ten title game if they win out. The Spartans take on the visiting Wolverines in a battle for state supremacy on Saturday.

3. Iowa (5-1)

Beat Indiana, 42-16

After 7 weeks, I did not expect Iowa to be the third best team in the Big Ten, but here we are. Unlike Wisconsin, Michigan State, or Penn State, Iowa is consistent and rarely plays down to their competition. Iowa beats the teams they are supposed to beat and you can’t fault them for that. The defense has always been the team’s strength, but after a 6 TD day from quarterback Nate Stanley, the Hawkeye offense is starting to hit its stride. Iowa takes on Maryland at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.

2. Michigan (6-1)

Beat Wisconsin, 38-13

Michigan is the second best team in the Big Ten. That is not up for debate anymore after throttling Wisconsin this past Saturday night, 38-13. The Wolverine defense is arguably the best in the country. Michigan is first in the Big Ten in total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, and passing defense. Dominant is an understatement. Expect a defensive slugfest on Saturday as the Wolverines travel to East Lansing to take on their in-state rival, Michigan State.

1. Ohio State (7-0)

Beat Minnesota, 30-14

Dwayne Haskins throws for over 400 yards and multiple touchdowns. Ohio State wins by double digits. Have you heard that story before? That’s because it happens almost every Ohio State game. This game was closer than expected, but Haskins’s 412 yards and 3 TDs were too much for Minnesota as the Buckeyes remain undefeated. Haskins is first in the Big Ten in total offense with an average of-of 340 yards per game, which is 50 more than second place. Ohio State travels to red-hot Purdue on Saturday night. Expect a huge and raucous crowd for the Boilermakers.

In a perfect world, Michigan and Ohio State win out the rest of the year and face each other in late November for a trip to the Big Ten Title. However, this is college football. Anything can happen.

Big Ten Power Rankings Week 5: The Showdown In Happy Valley

Big Ten Power Rankings

The matchup we all have been waiting for has finally arrived. Undefeated Ohio State will travel to undefeated Penn State on Saturday night as the two juggernauts square off for Big Ten supremacy. Not only will this game have Big Ten stipulations on the line, but the winner will have the inside track to the College Football Playoff.

In case you want to reference the Big Ten Power Rankings from last week.

14. Rutgers (1-3)

Lost to Buffalo, 42-13

“Does the Big Ten regret accepting Rutgers into the conference? My column.”

Although the above headline is a joke, I’m not kidding with that sentiment. Getting their doors blown off by Kansas was one thing, but losing to Buffalo at home is embarrassing. It’s not that Rutgers lost to Buffalo, who happens to be 4-0 on the year. It’s that Rutgers got blown out to a team from the MAC. That should not happen especially when you’re in the Big Ten. The Rutgers defense, which was supposed to be the team’s strength, has given up a staggering 149 points in three straight losses. If the Scarlett Knights suffer another blowout loss, Chris Ash may not have a job by the end of the year. Rutgers plays Indiana at home on Saturday.

13. Nebraska (0-3)

Lost to Michigan, 56-10

No one expected miracles from Scott Frost, but I doubt anyone expected him to be 0-3 to start his tenure. Nebraska ran into a buzzsaw in the Big House as Michigan pounced on the Cornhuskers early on their way to a 56-10 beatdown. With a record of 0-3, Nebraska is off to their worst start since 1945, and they have been outscored 113-57. Nebraska will look to win their first game of the year on Saturday when they travel to Purdue.

12. Purdue (1-3)

Beat Boston College, 30-13

Now, this is the Purdue team that everyone expected to see at the start of the year. David Blough’s 3 TD passes led the way as the Boilermakers picked up their first win of the season over Boston College, 30-13. Purdue could very well be 4-0 because they have had chances to win in each of their first three games. The Boilermakers have lost by a combined 8 points in three games. Purdue will look to make it two straight as they travel to Nebraska on Saturday afternoon.

11. Northwestern (1-2)

Bye week

After a bye week, Northwestern has to face the red-hot Michigan Wolverines in Evanston on Saturday afternoon. If Northwestern wants to stay in this game, their offense can’t disappear in the second half like it has the past three games.

10. Illinois (2-2)

Lost to Penn State, 63-24

The good news: Illinois was beating Penn State 24-21 early in the third quarter.

The bad news: Penn State started trying again and scored 42 unanswered points to win the game, 63-24.

Truthfully, the positives outweigh the negatives for me. Did Illinois lose by 39? Yes, but they were winning the game in the third quarter and played a great first half. It’s not like they were blown out by a non-Power 5 School (CC: Rutgers). It was Penn State, who has a chance to make the College Football Playoff. It’s clear that Lovie Smith has some talent at the running back position with Reggie Corbin and Mike Epstein, who combined for 160 yards rushing. Plus, the Illini have been playing with their backup quarterback so let’s see what starter AJ Bush can do when he returns. Illinois has a bye week.

9. Minnesota (3-1)

Lost to Maryland, 42-13

After falling behind in the first half 21-3, Minnesota had no chance for a comeback. Turnovers will kill your ability to win games, and with three turnovers on the day including 2 INTs thrown by Zack Annexstad, that’s pretty much a death wish. It wasn’t a great day for the Minnesota defense as they gave up 432 yards of total offense to the Terps. I don’t care who you are; if you can’t stop the run, you’re not going to win many games. Minnesota has a bye week.

8. Maryland (3-1)

Beat Minnesota, 42-13

Remember when Maryland was blown out by Temple two weeks ago? They seemed to take out their frustration on Minnesota as the Terps dominated the Golden Gophers from start to finish on their way to a 42-13 victory. Maryland found their groove again in the running game as the Terps rushed for 315 yards and 4 TDs. I still have question marks about Kasim Hill’s ability to throw the ball, but if the Terps have success on the ground, they will win games. Maryland has a bye week.

7. Indiana (3-1)

Lost to Michigan State, 35-21

With a chance for a statement win, Indiana could not overcome Michigan State’s fast start on their way to a 35-21 defeat. Although the running game was excellent the previous three games, Indiana was not able to control the line of scrimmage as Sparty held Stevie Scott and the Hoosiers to 29 rushing yards. Indiana travels to Rutgers this Saturday.

6. Michigan State (2-1)

Beat Indiana, 35-21

Just like Wisconsin, Michigan State was looking to rebound after a brutal loss, which is exactly what happened as they defeated an undefeated Indiana team, 35-21. Quarterback Brian Lewerke’s two first-half touchdowns and Shakur Brown’s interception for a touchdown gave Sparty a 21-7 lead in the first half, which was too big of a deficit for Indiana. After Ohio State /Penn State this weekend, the next biggest game in the battle for the Big 10 will be October 13 as Sparty travels to Happy Valley to take on the Nittany Lions. Michigan State plays Central Michigan on Saturday.

5. Iowa (3-1)

Lost to Wisconsin, 28-17

Iowa had the lead going into the fourth quarter, but the Hawkeyes were outscored 14-0 in the 4th quarter on their way to defeat 28-17. Not only would this win be a resume booster, but it would’ve given Iowa the ability to control their own destiny in the Big Ten West. With the loss to Wisconsin, Iowa will have to win out and hope Wisconsin loses two conference games, which is very unlikely, in order to play in the Big 10 title game. Iowa has a bye week.

4. Wisconsin (3-1)

Beat Iowa, 28-17

In a game where many believed the running game would be the focal point, it was quarterback Alex Hornibrook who was the star of the game in Wisconsin’s hard-fought come-from-behind win over Iowa in Kinnick Stadium. Many experts and writers (including myself) believed Hornibrook would need to take the next step as a passer to lead the Badgers to new heights. I’d say 205 yards and 3 TDs in a huge road test is taking the next step. This was a quality bounce-back win for the Badgers. Wisconsin has a bye week.

3. Michigan (3-1)

Beat Nebraska, 56-10

Remember when Michigan looked lost on offense in their loss to Notre Dame? That seems like it happened a lifetime ago as the Wolverines dominated the visiting Nebraska Cornhuskers, 56-10. The stats won’t show it (120 yards and 1 TD), but quarterback Shea Patterson looks more comfortable and poised in Jim Harbaugh’s offense. The defense is one of the best in the country, which should come as a surprise to no one. Michigan is on a roll and looks like it can’t be stopped. Michigan travels to Northwestern on Saturday.

2. Penn State (4-0)

Beat Illinois, 63-24

Illinois was on the verge of an upset. Illinois had the lead early in the third quarter with a score of 24-21. Penn State not only erased the thought of an upset, but destroyed it with a monstrous second half in which they scored 42 unanswered points to win 63-24. Running back Miles Sanders is making it a little easier for fans to forget about Saquon Barkley as Sanders rushed for 200 yards and 3 TDs. The biggest game of the Big Ten season (so far) takes place on Saturday night as Ohio State comes to Happy Valley to take on the Nittany Lions.

1. Ohio State (4-0)

Beat Tulane, 49-6

Urban Meyer is back as the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Frankly, they didn’t need him to blow out Tulane. For me, the Heisman favorite is Dwayne Haskins. The quarterback was as close to perfect as you can get. Haskins threw for 304 yards and and 5 TDs in the first half alone before sitting on the bench for the second half. Although Haskins is 4th in the Heisman watch, Haskins will have a huge opportunity this weekend to improve his stock if he goes into Happy Valley and beats Penn State. Ohio State plays Penn State on Saturday night.