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 Football: Week 2 Power Rankings

Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 2

Michigan fans, I’m sorry. You have probably had a rough couple of days. Other than that, it was a pretty successful opening weekend for the Big Ten. Michigan and Purdue were the only teams that lost, but it could’ve been a lot worse if Penn State and Michigan State didn’t escape with victories.

Let’s take a look at the Big Ten Week 2 Power Rankings.

14. Illinois (1-0)

Beat Kent State, 31-24

Lovie Smith gets a W! After a disastrous first half, the Illini were down 17-3 to Kent State. Illinois went on to outscore Kent State 28-7 in the second half, which was capped off by a late fourth quarter touchdown by running back Reggie Corbin to take the lead. The star of the game was quarterback AJ Bush, who threw for 190 yards and rushed for 139 yards. It’s only one game against Kent State, but this was a good come-from-behind win for Illinois.

13. Rutgers (1-0)

Beat Texas State, 35-7

Just a week ago, I said that “Rutgers is not very good, but they’re not as bad as you think.” After a 35-7 win against Texas State, I stand by that statement. Going into the season, the defense was set to carry the team, and they showed up in a big way, only surrendering 176 yards of total offense. Rutgers may also have a three-headed monster in the backfield as Isaih Pacheco, Raheem Blackshear, and Jonathan Hillman combined for nearly 200 yards rushing and 3 TDs. There is no time to dwell on this victory as the Scarlet Knights travel to Ohio State in week 2.

12. Purdue (0-1)

Lost to Northwestern, 31-27

One of the few teams that lost in the Big Ten was Purdue, who suffered an opening night setback at the hands of Northwestern. It’s hard to win games when you fall behind 14-0 in the first quarter, which is exactly what happened to the Boilermakers. The offense combined for 472 yards, but 3 INTs from quarterback Elijah Sindelar, who was eventually benched, proved to be costly. Purdue made it to a bowl game last season after starting the season 0-1. Maybe history will repeat itself.

11. Nebraska (0-0)

Game vs. Akron was canceled

I have nothing to say about Nebraska because they were not able to play due to weather. Tune in next week for Scott Frost’s debut!

10. Minnesota (1-0)

Beat New Mexico State, 48-10

Row the boat! After falling behind 10-7 in the second quarter, Minnesota scored 41 unanswered points and blew out New Mexico State, 48-10. True freshman Zack Annexstad had a solid debut, throwing for 2 TDs, while the ground game led by Rodney Smith and Mohamed Ibrahim rushed for over 250 yards combined. It’s hard to decipher week 1 victories against inferior competition, but a win is a win so enjoy it, Gopher fans.

9. Indiana (1-0)

Beat Florida International, 38-28

Indiana winning a game with 465 yards of total offense is something I did not expect to write after week 1. The offense looked fast and versatile as quarterbacks Peyton Ramsey and Michael Penix Jr. combined for four touchdown passes. Once again, it’s hard to judge a week 1 victory vs. inferior competition, but Indiana fans have to be happy after watching an offense that was supposed to have question marks going into the season.

8. Maryland (1-0)

Beat Texas, 34-29

The Terps did it again! Last year’s shootout victory over Texas was no fluke because the Terps took down the Longhorns for the second straight year after a 34-29 victory. Receiver Jeshuan James was the story early on as he caught a touchdown, ran for a touchdown, and threw for a touchdown. That’s a pretty good day if you’re asking me. My biggest takeaway was how Maryland responded after the death of lineman Jordan McNair and the absence of coach DJ Durkin. If Maryland continues to rally in the face of controversy, maybe another upset victory is more than attainable.

7. Iowa (1-0)

Beat Northern Illinois, 33-7

To any opponent that plays Iowa at Kinnick Stadium, good luck because you are going to need it. Iowa did what a typical Kirk Ferentz team does during games. They run the ball (209 yards rushing), make few mistakes (only 1 turnover), beat you up on defense, and control the field. That strategy was too much for Northern Illinois. Expect Kinnick to be rocking again this Saturday when the Hawkeyes take on rival Iowa State.

6. Michigan (0-1)

Lost to Notre Dame, 24-17

Cue the “Jim Harbaugh is overrated” opinions because the 100 articles written with that viewpoint are not enough after Michigan’s 24-17 loss to Notre Dame. I’m obviously being sarcastic, but 8-8 in his last 16 games at Michigan is not a good look for Harbaugh. However, I’m not calling him overrated just yet. A fluke play against Michigan State and the worst ball spot in the history of officiating against Ohio State potentially kept Michigan out of the playoff a few years back. If those two plays go in Harbaugh’s favor, his entire tenure at Michigan changes dramatically. Against one of the best defenses in the country in Notre Dame, quarterback Shea Patterson was not as bad as the media is making him out to be. The Wolverine defense is very good, so the offense has some catching up to do in the upcoming weeks before conference play begins.

5. Northwestern (1-0)

Beat Purdue, 31-27

After scoring 31 points in the first half, Northwestern threw up a goose egg in the second half, but they held on to beat Purdue by 4 points. The leader of the Wildcats offense was not veteran quarterback Clayton Thorson, but running back Jeremy Larkin, who ran for 143 yards and two scores. The defense may have bent, but it didn’t break as they forced three turnovers, which proved to be the difference. I could see the ‘Cats at 3-0 before their showdown with Michigan at the end of the month.

4. Penn State (1-0)

Beat Appalachian State, 45-38 in OT

First of all, when will Big Ten teams learn to not schedule Appalachian State in home openers? By the skin of their teeth, Penn State avoided the monumental upset with a 45-38 victory in overtime. If the Nittany Lions did not have quarterback Trace McSorley, this team is 0-1. McSorley took the field down a touchdown with under 2 minutes remaining. A few plays later, Trace fired a touchdown pass to KJ Hamler in the back of the end zone to tie the score with 42 seconds left before going on to win in overtime. Was this a fluke game or should Penn State fans be nervous for the upcoming season? I’m leaning towards nerves.

3. Michigan State (1-0)

Beat Utah State, 38-31

Speaking of teams who squeaked out a victory, Michigan State had to pull out all the stops to defeat a tough Utah State team. Just like Penn State, Michigan State had the ball late in the fourth quarter, needing a touchdown to take the lead. After an insane catch by Felton Davis, the Spartans punched the ball into the end zone shortly after and held on to avoid the upset. I pose the same question as I did above. Was this a fluke game or should Michigan State fans be nervous for the upcoming season? Once again, I’m leaning towards nerves. It’s hard for me to believe in a team that doesn’t come out firing in week 1.

2. Wisconsin (1-0)

Beat Western Kentucky, 34-3

The Badgers started off slow but scored 24 unanswered points in the first half on their way to a 34-3 victory of Western Kentucky. I knew Jonathan Taylor would be a stud out of the backfield (145 yards and two TDs), but quarterback Alex Hornibrook impressed me the most. Hornibrook was efficient and confident as the lefty surpassed 250 yards in the air with two TDs. The more I think about it, the more I believe that Wisconsin will once again go undefeated and face Ohio State in the Big Ten title game.

1. Ohio State (1-0)

Beat Oregon State, 77-31

The only surprise here was the score. I didn’t expect Ohio State to score 77 points, but I also didn’t expect their defense with NFL talent to surrender 31 points. If you didn’t believe that quarterback Dwayne Haskins would be able to replace J.T. Barrett, you were completely wrong as Haskins threw for over 300 yards and 5 TDs. Expect another blowout with week against Rutgers before their big showdown with TCU in two weeks.