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Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 10: A final ode to the Big Ten West

ben kenney
·9 min read
4

The Big Ten West is going out in perfect fashion.

Things actually looked promising with Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska all playing well and contending for the crown. Then the last two Saturdays happened…

Wisconsin has lost two straight including one at Indiana, Nebraska just lost to a terrible Michigan State team and Minnesota lost to Illinois. Somehow Iowa is the only team still winning.

Meanwhile, the Big Ten East picture looks the same its looked for months. Michigan is dominant, Ohio State keeps winning but is the clear No. 2 and Penn State is really good but not quite good enough to win the division.

November was created to settle all these races and battles. As we enter the best month of the year, here are our Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 10:

Purdue (2-7, 1-5 Big Ten)

Oct 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Purdue Pete celebrates after a touchdown by the Purdue Boilermakers against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Purdue Pete celebrates after a touchdown by the Purdue Boilermakers against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10 Result: 41-13 loss to Michigan

Previous Rank: 12 (down 2 spots)

 

A loss to Michigan was expected for Purdue. But while the other cellar-dwellers in the Big Ten find wins, the Boilermakers continued their massive slide. A 2-7 overall record and 1-5 in the Big Ten at least gives Ryan Walter a pretty easy bar to improve upon in Year 2.

Michigan State (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten)

Oct 28, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Katin Houser (12) looks to pass against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Katin Houser (12) looks to pass against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10 Result: 20-17 win over Nebraska

Previous Rank: 14 (up 1)

 

Saturday’s game was more about Nebraska not having an offense than about anything Michigan State did. But credit to the Spartans, who finally found their first conference win of the season.

Indiana (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten)

Indiana’s Aaron Casey (44) celebrates during the second half of the Indiana versus Akron football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
Indiana’s Aaron Casey (44) celebrates during the second half of the Indiana versus Akron football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Week 10 Result: 20-14 win over Wisconsin

Previous Rank: 13 (up 1)

 

Indiana has now beaten Indiana State, Akron and Wisconsin. Which of those teams sticks out from the other three?

This Indiana team was well on its way to a winless season in Big Ten play. So credit to them, and a big ‘what the hell’ to the Badgers that let it happen.

Maryland (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten)

Oct 28, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley (center) on the sidelines during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley (center) on the sidelines during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10 Result: 51-15 loss to Penn State

Previous Rank: 10 (down 1)

 

Maryland’s remarkable slide continues after starting the season 5-0. The last four weeks: loss to Ohio State, loss to Illinois, loss to Northwestern and now a loss to Penn State. With Nebraska, Michigan and Rutgers on tap, the Terps might not win another game this season.

Northwestern (4-5, 2-4 Big Ten)

Oct 28, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; The Northwestern Wildcats celebrate their win against the Maryland Terrapins at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; The Northwestern Wildcats celebrate their win against the Maryland Terrapins at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10 Result: 10-7 loss to Iowa

Previous Rank: 9 (down 1)

 

Iowa vs Northwestern at Wrigley Field was incredible. Zero first-half points and a walk-off field goal to cap off a 10-7 win.

The Wildcats have done terrific work to approach .500 on the season.

Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten)

WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Wisconsin Badgers watches his team during the first half in the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 22, 2023 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 22: Head coach Luke Fickell of the Wisconsin Badgers watches his team during the first half in the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 22, 2023 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Week 10 Result: 20-14 loss to Indiana

Previous Rank: 7 (down 2)

 

I have yet to run the numbers. But Wisconsin losing to an Indiana team that barely cracks the nation’s top-100 is likely the program’s worst loss in the last two decades. Other losses have been worse with context (2019 Illinois, 2022 Illinois, 2018 BYU, etc), but none have been to a worse team.

Wisconsin has yet to do anything against good teams and now has lost to bad teams. Luke Fickell has already wasted a golden opportunity with the team’s schedule, but there are now some real questions about the program’s long-term outlook.

Illinois (4-5, 2-4 Big Ten)

Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema greets Wisconsin Badgers head coach Paul Chryst following the game at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema greets Wisconsin Badgers head coach Paul Chryst following the game at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10 Result: 27-26 win over Minnesota

Previous Rank: 8 (up 3)

 

Bret Bielema is now 10-0 all-time against Minnesota. His Illini did it in classic fashion Saturday, squandering a big lead with terrible turnovers before the backup was forced into the game and led a late game-winning drive.

Illinois is somehow still alive in the Big Ten West, by the way.

Nebraska (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten)

Oct 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10 Result: 20-17 loss to Michigan State

Previous Rank: 6 (down 1)

 

Giving Michigan State its first conference win of the season is bad news for Matt Rhule’s team. But the Cornhuskers are still alive in the Big Ten West and clearly improving upon a disastrous few years before Rhule’s arrival.

All it needs now is an offense.

Rutgers (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten)

Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10 Result: 35-16 loss to Ohio State

Previous Rank: 8 (up 2)

 

Losing to Ohio State is no big deal. And the Scarlet Knights were actually in the game before the Buckeyes pulled away late. However it must be noted: head coach Greg Schiano kicked three field goals within the OSU 5 yard-line. He played to keep the game close, not to win.

Rutgers had a legitimately good defense this season. And everyone around it continues to lose, hence the rise in the ranking.

Minnesota (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten)

Oct 28, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarter back Athan Kaliakmanis (8) runs for a first down against the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 28, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarter back Athan Kaliakmanis (8) runs for a first down against the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10 Result: 27-26 loss to Illinois

Previous Rank: 5 (no change)

 

Minnesota would’ve dropped after the last-minute loss to Illinois. But every other team not named Iowa also lost this weekend.

If the Hawkeyes squander their 1-game lead in the division, it will likely be Minnesota representing the Big Ten West in Indianapolis.

Iowa (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten)

Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10 Result: 10-7 win over Northwestern

Previous Rank: 4 (no change)

 

Iowa leads the Big Ten West, it has also scored the fewest points in the Big Ten. And it won a game on Saturday during which the team totaled 169 total yards, and 65 passing yards.

It’s hideous, it’s disgusting, it’s wrong, it’s a lot of things. But Iowa keeps winning football games.

Penn State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten)

Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu (74) gets set before a play against West Virginia at Beaver Stadium September 2, 2023, in State College. Credit: Dan Rainville-USA TODAY NETWORK
Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu (74) gets set before a play against West Virginia at Beaver Stadium September 2, 2023, in State College. Credit: Dan Rainville-USA TODAY NETWORK

Week 10 Result: 51-15 win over Maryland

Previous Rank: 3 (no change)

 

Huge wins over Maryland are necessary for Penn State, but don’t really matter. What defines this team, and the program, are the division games against Ohio State and Michigan.

The Nittany Lions already lost to the Buckeyes a few weeks ago, and they host the Wolverines next Saturday. A Penn State win in that contest and the entire national picture gets turned on its head.

Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten)

MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 28: Kyle McCord #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 28: Kyle McCord #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Week 10 Result: 35-16 win over Rutgers

Previous Rank: 2 (no change)

 

Ohio State is 9-0 and yet again poised to face Michigan in a winner-take-all contest in Week 13. But this Buckeye team is different…the defense is one of the nation’s best, yet the offense with quarterback Kyle McCord continues to look pedestrian.

It’s a great defense, and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and RB TreVeyon Henderson winning football games. We’ll see if it works against Michigan.

Michigan (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten)

Oct 2, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh walks on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh walks on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Week 10 Result: 41-13 win over Purdue

Previous Rank: 1 (no change)

 

A swirling sign-stealing scandal, whatever. Michigan is still playing like the best team in the nation.

But the Wolverines are still yet to play a really tough team. That chance comes next weekend in a tough road trip to Penn State.

Story originally appeared on Badgers Wire