Big Ten Power Rankings Week 8: Top 10 Illinois

 

After the worst week of games in Big Ten football history, we now have maybe one of the best set for this Saturday. Here are the power rankings going into Week 9.

1. Michigan (7-0)
AP Rank: #6
Last Week: Northwestern (W 33-7)
Next: @ #7 Michigan. St

The Wolverines take the top spot for the second week in a row after a second half thrashing of Northwestern. Early on it looked like Pat Fitzgerald may do Pat Fitzgerald things and pull one out of his ass and ruin somebody else's season. Give Michigan a lot of credit for squashing those hopes out of half time. Up next, arguably Michigan's biggest rival in Michigan. St. I understand "The Game" against Ohio. St is the more historical rivalry but recent history points to that not being so much a rivalry as it is tradition. There is a lot on the line for the Wolverines on the road at Spartan stadium and we have covered those in the Sunday article but to reiterate, Cade McNamara will need to win them a game at some point. If it comes on Saturday, Michigan may find themselves in the top 4 of the initial playoff rankings. If Mcnamara struggles and Michigan falls, then the grumblings about Harbaugh's job security may return.

Michigan goals will at some point rest on this mans shoulders

2. Ohio. St (6-1)
AP Rank: #5
Last Week: @Indiana (W 52-7)
Next: #20 Penn. St

Unfortunately the parody we believed existed in the Big Ten after the first two weeks of the season has aged as well as the Biden Presidency. Since their exile out of the top 10 after the loss to Oregon in week two, Ohio. St has slowly built themselves back into the well oiled death machine that we have come to know them for the greater part of the last decade. The defense that looked like tissue paper the first two weeks has improved and is now average which is all this team needs. CJ Stroud's confidence is through the roof and mine would be too if I had Olave, Wilson, and Smith-Njigba to throw to. Add in all world freshmen running back Treyveyon Henderson and his 8.8 yard average for 693 yards and you have an offense that is on pace to shatter Big Ten records. The entire Big Ten West thinks talk of offensive numbers such as these are simply rumors brought about by the media (fake news) whose sole purpose is to change their way of life of 3 yards and a cloud of dust. 

Freshmen Treyveon Henderson has been the key that's unlocked this Buckeye offense

3. Michigan. St (7-0)
AP Rank: #8
Last Week: Bye
Next: #6 Michigan

I should honestly have the Spartans above Ohio. St based off their record but I'm the one wasting my time with this crap so screw you Sparty you're #3! As mentioned in the Funday article, this weekends match up with Michigan will give us an accurate gauge on a team that definitely looks the part, but to this point has not faced a team with a winning record. Peyton Thorne will determine how far this team will go as the better defenses on their schedule loom down the stretch. If a team takes star running back Kenneth Walker out of the game, Thorne must be able to make the plays necessary to win.

4. Iowa (6-1)
AP Rank: #9
Last Week: Bye
Next: @Wisconsin

The last time Iowa's offense was this statistically bad (310.7 yards/game) was in 2012 (310.3 yards/game) when the Hawks finished 4-8, the only losing record under Ferencz since the 2002 turn around. Watching this offense try to operate is painfully hilarious as they seem to run themselves into an outstretched fist week in and week out. The Hawkeyes next face the Badgers in Maddison on Saturday in a game that will surely put college football offense back 25 years. The Iowa defense will be fine, although they will again be without Thorpe award finalist Riley Moss at cornerback. The problem for Iowa still is the offense, especially the offensive line. Going into this Saturday, Iowa's O-line is giving up 8.5 tackles for loss per game. Folks, that is putrid. That level of suckage is good enough (or bad enough?) to earn the Hawkeyes a rank of 127th out of 130 FBS teams and dead last amongst Power 5 teams. Is it realistic that those numbers get any better this weekend against the nations #2 defense? Probably not. 

Iowa sure could use Tristin Wirfs 

5. Penn. St (5-2)
AP Rank: #20
Last Week: Illinois (L 18-20)
Next: @ #5 Ohio. St

Where do you even begin with Penn. St after their 9 OT debacle against lowly Illinois? Sean Clifford is not 100% despite James Franklin's persistence that he is. The run defense is as effective as Lactaid is to my bowls (not effective at all). They allowed Illinois to gash them for 357 rushing yards! What is most concerning however is that the Franklin coaching saga drama may be starting to have an effect on the focus of this team. This week, it came out that Franklin fired his long time agent and hired SEC super agent Jimmy Sexton. A move like this doesn't just all of a sudden come to fruition. Talks were obviously being had during the bye week which would point towards a lack in effectiveness for game preparation. It seems from an outside perspective that Franklin has already packed his bags. With Ohio. St looming this week, thats a problem.

Suppose to stop the "runs". Obviously its not working

6. Wisconsin (4-3)
AP Rank: NR
Last Week: @ #25 Purdue
Next: #9 Iowa

Much like Ohio. St in the East, it feels as though Wisconsin was just toying with Iowa earlier this year only to rip away Indianapolis right out from under the noses of the Hawkeyes. Paul Chryst has completely taken the ball out of Mertz's hands the last three games and the Badgers have won them all. With Mertz not allowed to throw interceptions any more, teams have been forced to drive long fields against the Badger defense which ranks 2nd in the country in yards allowed led by LB #5 Leo Chenal. While being a favorite of women all across the globe, #5 Chenal consistently harasses quarterbacks and added to his sack total with 3.5 against the Boilers. If the Badgers beat Iowa on Saturday, Chenal will be a huge reason why.

“Chenal” #5

7. Minnesota (5-2)
AP Rank: NR
Last Week: Maryland (W 34-17)
Next: Northwestern

Minnesota is starting to look like they have figured it out on offense. Even with their 3rd and 4th options having to go at running back, the Gophers are pounding the rock with regularity. The saddest story in college football at the moment is that a team that lost at home to Bowling Green controls it's destiny in the West... 

8. Purdue (4-3)
AP Rank: NR (that didn't last long)
Last Week: Wisconsin (L 13-30)
Next: @Nebraska

The bile that Purdue spewed out all over Ross-Ade on Saturday against Wisconsin was so unbelievably predictable. My take on Purdue football under Jeff Brohm (which mysteriously is the same sentiment echoed by Off Tackle Empire) is that the Boilermakers simply blackout for one big game a year and ruin somebody's season. During this bender of a college football experience, each and every player, laced with whatever magical syrum is running through their veins at the time, reaches their maximum potential for that single game. Life is pleasant in West Lafayette and the whole town rides their new found high into college football relevency. With every euphoric blackout however comes the inevitable crash back down to reality. For Purdue, that means that the quarterback still sucks, the defense outside of Karlaftis is a sieve, and Big Ten West Title hopes are as likely as the state turning blue on election day. Two steps forward, Sixty-nine back. Welcome back Purdue. 

Purdue football trying to continue season after annual blackout game

9. Maryland (4-3)
AP Rank: NR
Last Week: @Minnesota (L 34-17)
Next: Indiana

I've had Oikos Triple Zero Strawberry greek yogurt for breakfast eight days in a row now. 15 grams of protein, 0% fat, 0grams of added sugars and 0 artificial sweeteners. Why am I telling you this? My bad, I thought this space was designated for shit that doesn't matter.

Has as much added sugar as Mike Locksley teams have discipline

10. Illinois (3-5)
AP Rank: NR
Last Week: @ #7 Penn. St (W 20-18)
Next: Rutgers

This is the only top 10 Illinois will ever have a chance at cracking. Illinois bulldozed James Franklin and the White Pussy Cats. You're lying though if you don't admit the real story (and tragedy) from this game is that the country was robbed after Illinois QB Art Sitkowski's leg exploded in OT, meaning the gift of a Rutgers vs Illinois game featuring a Rutgers QB vs a former Rutgers QB who plays for Illinois will not be in our trick or treat bag this year. We demand justice!

Perfect trophy for this budding rivalry game

11. Nebraska (3-5)
AP Rank: NR
Last Week: Bye
Next: Purdue

Another week passed without a Nebraska win. They call this phenomena "Fall" in the Midwest. Seriously though, if the Huskers don't pick up a win vs Purdue this weekend, their last three games of Ohio. St, @Wisconsin, Iowa point to a 3-9 finish in Lincoln. 

Is corn on your head better when you have 9 wins or 3 wins?

12. Indiana (2-5)
AP Rank: NR
Last Week: #4 Ohio. St (L 55-7)
Next: @Maryland

I don't know what Tom Allen did to piss off whatever deity rules over college football but it must have been an act most unspeakable. At the seasons conclusion, the Hoosiers will have played 6 top 10 teams... That's half of their damn schedule!!! For a Hoosier team filled with optimism coming into 2021 that's a tough pill to swallow.

13. Northwestern (3-4)
AP Rank: NR
Last Week: @ #6 Michigan (L 7-33)
Next: Minnesota

The Cats will lose 63-0 just so their 17-10 win against Iowa the following week hurts me more.

Pat Fitzgerald's only focus this week is on his trap for Kirk Ferentz

14. Rutgers (3-4)
AP Rank: NR
Last Week: Bye
Next: @Illinois

What's more likely to happens first... Rutgers has a winning season, or me receiving my college degree?