Week 8 Big Ten Power Rankings: Iowa the new best in the West
Week 7 is in the books, and what a week it was! Iowa is your king in the West, following a 15-6 slobberknocker over Wisconsin. Out of all of the college football games I’ve watched, this certainly was one of them. There was no offense in a truly offensive game for viewers.
On the other side of the conference, we have a gigantic battle set up. Ohio State and Penn State, both coming off blowout victories, will play each other next week in the “Big Noon Kickoff.” Few games are as big as this one.
A loss throws a serious wrench in your team’s plans of making it to the Big Ten Championship game under the current setup. Is it fair that a loss to No. 3 Ohio State could potentially knock No. 6 Penn State out of the running to make it to the big dance? Meanwhile, the 23rd-ranked Hawkeyes, who they shut out, have a great shot of making it. It probably isn’t fair, but that’s why it’s called football and not fairball.
Don’t like it? Complain about it online! Just don’t complain about where your team ends up in the newest Big Ten Power Rankings!
Indiana
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Week 7 Result: Michigan 52, Indiana 7
Record: 2-4
Up Next: vs. 5-2 Rutgers at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on BTN
See, I told you all! Indiana was embarrassed by Michigan, as we all expected. At least it held an early lead.
Purdue
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Week 7 Result: Ohio State 41, Purdue 7
Record: 2-5
Up Next: Bye
Another demoralizing loss for the Boilermakers. It was expected though going against Ohio State.
Michigan State
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Week 7 Result: Rutgers 27, Michigan State 24
Record: 2-4
Up Next: vs. 7-0 Michigan at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on NBC
This has to be the worst loss of the year for Michigan State. The Spartans blew an 18-point lead to Rutgers. They gave up 21 points in the fourth quarter! Simply a disaster for the Spartans.
Northwestern
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Week 7 Result: Bye
Record: 3-3
Up Next: at 3-3 Nebraska at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on BTN
Bye week pretty much keeps the Wildcats level in the power rankings.
Illinois
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Week 7 Result: Illinois 27, Maryland 24
Record: 3-4
Up Next: vs. 4-2 Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on FS1
Illinois shocked the Big Ten world in an upset win over Maryland. It took advantage of a Terps team reeling from its first loss of the season. Good win for the Illini.
Minnesota
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Week 7 Result: Bye
Record: 3-3
Up Next: at 6-1 Iowa at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on NBC
Just like Northwestern, a bye week keeps Minnesota stable in the rankings.
Nebraska
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Week 7 Result: Bye
Record: 3-3
Up Next: vs. 3-3 Northwestern at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on BTN
As they beat Illinois earlier in the season, the Cornhuskers stay in the same slot after their bye week.
Rutgers
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Week 7 Result: Rutgers 27, Michigan State 24
Record: 5-2
Up Next: at 2-4 Indiana at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on BTN
What a win! It should not have come down to needing an 18-point comeback, but Greg Schiano’s boys got it done! Rutgaz is one win away from becoming bowl eligible! Do it for Springsteen, boys!
Maryland
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Week 7 Result: Illinois 27, Maryland 24
Record: 5-2
Up Next: Bye
What the heck, Maryland? Seriously. What the heck? We all bought into you as a serious team, and now you’ve lost two straight. Get out of my office!
Wisconsin
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Week 7 Result: Iowa 15, Wisconsin 6
Record: 4-2
Up Next: at 3-4 Illinois at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on FS1
I will not ding Wisconsin too harshly. It lost to the best team in the division and played without its starting quarterback. Still, prospects weren’t looking too good with him in either. Six points scored is still only six points scored.
Iowa
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Week 7 Result: Iowa 15, Wisconsin 6
Record: 6-1
Up Next: vs. 3-3 Minnesota at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on NBC
There is a realistic chance Iowa finishes the regular season 11-1 without throwing for more than 100 yards in a game again.
Penn State
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Week 7 Result: Penn State 63, UMass 0
Record: 6-0
Up Next: at 6-0 Ohio State at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on Fox
Yep, Penn State obliterated Massachussetts. This week is the big test.
Ohio State
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Week 7 Result: Ohio State 41, Purdue 7
Record: 6-0
Up Next: vs. 6-0 Penn State at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on Fox
Now that the yearly drumming of Purdue is out of the way, Ryan Day and his squad can focus on fellow East division competitor Penn State this week.
Michigan
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Week 7 Result: Michigan 52, Indiana 7
Record: 7-0
Up Next: at 2-4 Michigan State at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 on NBC
Another week, another blowout for Michigan. Will anybody stop the Wolverines this season?
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