Big Ten Power Rankings: Where do Spartans land after convincing win over Maryland?
Michigan State football got back to their winning ways this week, with a victory over Maryland. Does the win over the Terps push Michigan State up our weekly power rankings?
See where I rank each of the Big Ten teams in our latest batch of Big Ten power rankings:
No. 14: Indiana
Marc Lebryk/USA TODAY Sports
Previous power ranking: No. 13 (down one spot)
Record: 2-8 (0-7 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Loss vs. Rutgers, 38-3
Last week, I said there was a chance Indiana would go winless in Big Ten play. After this week’s blowout loss to Rutgers, I firmly believe that’ll be the case for the Hoosiers.
No. 13: Northwestern
MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
Previous power ranking: No. 12 (down one spot)
Record: 3-7 (1-6 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Loss at Wisconsin, 35-7
Northwestern is again on the wrong side of a blowout and is officially going to miss the postseason with seven losses on the season. Tough year for the Wildcats.
No. 12: Maryland
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Previous power ranking: No. 11 (down one spot)
Record: 5-5 (2-5 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Loss at Michigan State, 40-21
Maryland once again falls by double-digits against a top-tier opponent, but they still have plenty to play for at this point in the year. The Terps need just one more win to become bowl eligible, which should serve as plenty of motivation.
No. 11: Rutgers
Marc Lebryk/USA TODAY Sports
Previous power ranking: No. 14 (up three spots)
Record: 5-5 (2-5 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Win at Indiana, 38-3
One more win and Rutgers is going bowling. That alone is a great achievement for the Scarlet Knights and shows how far the program has already came under Greg Schiano.
No. 10: Nebraska
Jeff Hanisch/USA TODAY Sports
Previous power ranking: No. 10 (same)
Record: 3-7 (1-6 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Bye
The Cornhuskers were off this week, but the big news out of Lincoln is that head coach Scott Frost will be back for next season. Many thought he could be let go, but that is not the case despite a disappointing season for Nebraska.
No. 9: Illinois
Michael Allio/USA TODAY Sports
Previous power ranking: No. 9 (same)
Record: 4-6 (3-4 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Bye
Illinois was also off this week, and returns to action next weekend against Iowa. The Fighting Illini will need to win their final two games to become bowl eligible.
No. 8: Purdue
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch
Previous power ranking: No. 6 (down two spots)
Record: 6-4 (4-3 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Loss at Ohio State, 59-31
Purdue was the team everyone was talking about after last week’s upset of the Spartans, but that love for the Boilermakers won’t be there this week. Purdue was blown out against the Buckeyes, and proved they aren’t a true contender in the Big Ten West Division.
No. 7: Minnesota
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen
Previous power ranking: No. 8 (up one spot)
Record: 6-4 (4-3 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Loss at Iowa, 27-22
Minnesota put up a tough effort in a rivalry matchup against Iowa, but came up short in the end. The Golden Gophers are essentially out of the Big Ten West Division race after back-to-back losses.
No. 6: Penn State
Matthew OHaren/USA TODAY Sports
Previous power ranking: No. 5 (down one spot)
Record: 6-4 (3-4 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Loss vs. Michigan, 21-17
Penn State has one of the best defenses in the country but a lackluster offense that is holding them back. That again was the case this week in a near-upset of Michigan.
No. 5: Iowa
Bryon Houlgrave/The Register
Previous power ranking: No. 7 (up two spots)
Record: 8-2 (5-2 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Win vs. Minnesota, 27-22
Iowa has rebounded nicely from their two-game losing streak with victories in each of the past two weeks. The Hawkeyes are still alive in the Big Ten title race but will need Wisconsin to stumble in one of their final two games.
No. 4: Michigan
Matthew OHaren/USA TODAY Sports
Previous power ranking: No. 4 (same)
Record: 9-1 (6-1 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Win at Penn State, 21-17
Michigan came from behind to beat Penn State this week in a tough road game. The College Football Playoff committee would probably move the Wolverines up the rankings because of it, but to me, it’s just a win over an unranked opponent so they’ll stay put for now.
No. 3: Michigan State
Nick King/Lansing State Journal
Previous power ranking: No. 3 (same)
Record: 9-1 (6-1 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Win vs. Maryland, 40-21
Michigan State took care of business against an unranked foe this week, and like Michigan will remain in the same spot in these power rankings. Next week’s top 10 battle with the Buckeyes will tell us a lot about the Spartans and where they belong in these power rankings moving forward.
No. 2: Wisconsin
MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
Previous power ranking: No. 2 (same)
Record: 7-3 (5-2 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Win vs. Northwestern, 35-7
Wisconsin just keeps on winning, with the Badgers picking up their sixth straight victory. This was another blowout win, and I have no reason to move the Badgers down from the second spot in these power rankings.
No. 1: Ohio State
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch
Previous power ranking: No. 1 (same)
Record: 9-1 (7-0 in Big Ten)
Last week’s result: Win vs. Purdue, 59-31
Ohio State remains the clear-cut top team in the Big Ten with another impressive performance this week. The Buckeyes will have back-to-back top 10 matchups to end the season and should be sizable favorites in both games.
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