Big Ten Power Football Rankings: Spartans plummet after blowing lead, losing to Hoosiers
It really doesn’t get much worse than what we witnessed at Spartan Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Spartans were in a must-win situation to realistically reach bowl eligibility and let a 17-point second-half lead slip away. Even worse, Michigan State had a chance to win the game in regulation on a last-second 22-yard field goal but it was no good.
The loss will be one that’ll surely haunt Michigan State fans, but how far does it result in the Spartans dropping in our power rankings? See where I rank Michigan State and the rest of the Big Ten teams in this week’s Big Ten power rankings:
Northwestern
Record: 1-10 (1-7 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss at Purdue
Next game: vs. Illinois (Nov. 26)
Northwestern comes up short again, with the Wildcats in need of an upset of Illinois next week to avoid going winless on American soil. Odds are not in their favor in that one.
Rutgers
Record: 4-7 (1-7 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Penn State
Next game: at Maryland (Nov. 26)
It was a rough outing for the Scarlet Knights this week as Penn State made easy work of Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are officially out of bowl contention with the loss to the Nittany Lions.
Nebraska
Record: 3-8 (2-6 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Wisconsin
Next game: at Iowa (Nov. 25)
It’s been a rough year in Lincoln and Saturday was just another example of that. Nebraska let a double-digit lead slip away in the fourth quarter against Wisconsin, and I’m sure Cornhuskers everywhere are ready for this season to be over.
Indiana
Record: 4-7 (2-6 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Michigan State
Next game: vs. Purdue (Nov. 26)
Indiana overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half to shock the Spartans. The Hoosiers weren’t overly impressive statistically but they found a way to keep making plays to win the game in overtime so have to give them credit for that.
Michigan State
Record: 5-6 (3-5 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Indiana
Next game: at Penn State (Nov. 26)
Michigan State added another chapter to an already extremely disappointing season on Saturday. The Spartans blew a 17-point lead in the second half and let Indiana win their first game in over two months. The loss also very much puts reaching a bowl game in doubt for Michigan State.
Wisconsin
Record: 6-5 (4-4 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Nebraska
Next game: vs. Minnesota (Nov. 26)
It wasn’t pretty but Wisconsin was able to get the win at Nebraska on Saturday. The come-from-behind Badgers win clinches a bowl bid for Wisconsin, and potentially locks in Jim Leonhard as the next fulltime head coach.
Maryland
Record: 6-5 (3-5 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Ohio State
Next game: vs. Rutgers (Nov. 26)
Maryland didn’t look lifeless for the first time in weeks, and nearly pulled a massive upset over Ohio State. The upset bid came up short but we still have to give the Terps credit for their strong performance against the highly-touted Buckeyes.
Minnesota
Record: 7-4 (4-4 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Iowa
Next game: at Wisconsin (Nov. 26)
PJ Fleck simply can’t beat Iowa. The Golden Gophers dominated the game statistically but yet again come up short against the Hawkeyes. This one has to sting for the Golden Gophers as they deserved to win this rivalry matchup.
Illinois
Record: 7-4 (4-4 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss at Michigan
Next game: at Northwestern (Nov. 26)
Illinois had the Wolverines on the brink but couldn’t complete the upset bid. The Fighting Illini let a fourth-quarter lead slip away and in doing that, they also won’t be heading to the Big Ten Championship Game. Tough break for Illinois.
Purdue
Record: 7-4 (5-3 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win vs. Northwestern
Next game: at Indiana (Nov. 26)
Purdue took care of business against Northwestern and kept their Big Ten Championship Game dreams alive in doing such. They’ll need to win next week against Indiana and also need Iowa to lose to Nebraska. It’s unlikely but they are still alive in the Big Ten West Division race.
Iowa
Record: 7-4 (5-3 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Minnesota
Next game: vs. Nebraska (Nov. 25)
Iowa simply finds ways to win no matter the situation. Or at least that’s how it’s been for the past month. The Hawkeyes again were dominated in the boxscore but put together enough plays to win a massive rivalry matchup with Minnesota. Iowa now just needs a win next week against Nebraska and they’ll be heading back to the Big Ten Championship Game.
Penn State
Record: 9-2 (6-2 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Rutgers
Next game: vs. Michigan State (Nov. 26)
Penn State took care of business against Rutgers and remains in a great spot to reach a New Year’s Six bowl game. The Nittany Lions will need a win over Michigan State to keep that option alive but I like their chances after the collapse we just witnessed in East Lansing.
Michigan
Record: 11-0 (8-0 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win vs. Illinois
Next game: at Ohio State (Nov. 26)
Michigan for the first time this season trailed in the fourth quarter but was able to make enough plays to survive Illinois’ upset bid on a last-second field goal. All eyes will turn to their matchup with Ohio State next week, but a big question mark for the Wolverines will be star running back Blake Corum’s health after suffering a knee injury against the Fighting Illini.
Ohio State
Record: 11-0 (8-0 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Maryland
Next game: vs. Michigan (Nov. 26)
Like Michigan, Ohio State had a tougher-than-expected game this week but was able to survive. The Buckeyes haven’t looked particular impressive late in the season but they still haven’t lost and if they beat Michigan next week then they’ll be back in the College Football Playoff.
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