Big Ten Power Rankings: Back Where We Started

 

Back again Big Ten football fans! After a long hiatus in which I questioned the actual monetary benefit of spending the time creating this blog I have come to a conclusion. There is none! And you know what else, I don't give a rip anymore. I guess that makes me a Nebraska fan since they CLEARLY don't give two shits about football anymore after keeping Scott Frost on board for another year. I suppose that was predictable much in the same way the current power rankings purvey the pecking order this conference has come to know for the last 10 years sans Purdue. Lets take a look.

1. Ohio. St (8-1)
CFP Rank: #4
Last Week: @Nebraska (W 26-17)
Next: #19 Purdue

The Buckeyes have reclaimed the throne they have owned for the last decade. Turns out it was theirs this year as well but it took a while for the police to figure out the complex network Iowa, Michigan, Penn. St and Michigan. St had created in which each of these members continuously passed the top spot around to each other at various moments this season. Several people on the Buckeyes are responsible for catching these culprits but C.J Stroud, Treveyon Henderson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are the main reason. These three lead arguably the nations deadliest offense and are the reason why many now see this Buckeyes team as the only real contender to Georgia for the national championship. First things first though as a scalding Purdue team makes a visit to the Shoe this weekend. If the Buckeyes defense can continue to make incremental improvements... lookout.

2. Michigan (8-1)
CFP Rank: #6
Last Week: Indiana (W 29-7)
Next: @Penn. St

Before you crucify me for doing exactly what the committee did on Tuesday night placing the Wolverines ahead of the Spartans understand first that this is a power ranking. Its not a who deserves it more ranking, these rankings are who I believe would win on a neutral field. I watched the game a few weeks ago, Michigan should have won. If they played ten times I think the Wolverines win seven. Moving forward though, it will be interesting to see just how long Blake Corum, who this blog has said multiple times is Michigan's "it factor" is out with his injury. Hasan Haskins is more than capable of taking the reps, but Michigan has been at their best with that 1-2 punch clicking. Penn. St is up next in what looks more and more like a must win for Harbaugh's job security.

3. Michigan. St (8-1)
CFP Rank: #7
Last Week: @Purdue (L 40-29)
Next: Maryland

Sparty fans relax. All your goals are still on the table. Win out and your in. Easier said than done however when Ohio. St and Penn. St loom as the last two games of the season. The Spartans will need to get ahold of their atrocious pass defense which ranks second to last nationally before these matchup's as Smith-Njigba, Olave, and Dotson will look to replicate the success of Purdue's David Bell. If Michigan. St cant figure it out they will end the year 9-3.

4. Wisconsin (6-3)
CFP Rank: #18
Last Week: @Rutgers (W 52-3)
Next: Northwestern

Much to the dismay of the rest of the Big Ten West, Wisconsin is back at the top and I don't think anybody is going to stop them. Braelon Allen is a future All-American at running back meaning Graham Mertz doesn't have to throw anymore which means Wisconsin wont lose which means I am once again pissed off. Touting the nations #1 ranked defense, I highly doubt they lose again.

5. Purdue (6-3)
CFP Rank: #19
Last Week: #3 Michigan. St (W 40-29)
Next: @ #4 Ohio. St

Purdue jumps Iowa based off of their victory in Iowa City. Aiden O'Connel has changed the trajectory of this program. The argument may be made that anybody with David Bell to throw to would look pretty good, but recording the 5th most passing yards in Big Ten history is only possible if you have "it". Another shot for the Boilers to play spoiler to a contending team awaits this Saturday with a trip to Ohio. St.

Purdue's offense is ROLLING

6. Iowa (7-2)
CFP Rank: #20
Last Week: @Northwestern (W 17-12)
Next: Minnesota

It's F****** BACON WEEK!!! Maybe a rivalry game can jump start this Hawkeye offense which may have found new life with new quarterback Alex Padilla. Unlike Spencer Petras who was as mobile as a landline phone, Padilla has already shown a knack to improvise when things break down. Add in a OC Brian Ferentz's willingness to use highly touted freshmen receivers Keagan Johnson and Arland Bruce IV and the Hawkeyes may be on to something. This weekends battle for the Floyd of Rosedale should end with the same outcome as every one of these matchup's in Iowa City has since 1999. A big ole' Hawkeye W!

98.3 pounds of pure bronze bacon glory

7. Penn. St (6-3)
CFP Rank: NR
Last Week: @Maryland (W 31-14)
Next: #6 Michigan

This team still has a lot to play for and it starts this week at home against Michigan. If the Nittany Lions can get Jahan Dotson going out wide like they did against Maryland, Penn. St will be tough to beat Saturday. The run game continues to hold this team back however  so if Dotson isn't able to break free against Michigan, it probably means the Lion's are losing.

8. Minnesota (6-3)
CFP Rank: NR
Last Week: Illinois (L 14-6)
Next: @ #20 Iowa

Minnesota continues to baffle the minds of everybody outside the Big Ten. All of us Big Ten homers on the other hand know that this is the same crap PJ Fleck has been trotting out onto the Gridiron for the last 4 seasons. The beat down against Illinois last week only furthers that notion. In terms of this weeks game against Iowa, PJ Fleck has not only failed to beat the Hawkeyes in any of his previous seasons, he hasnt even ever experienced what its like to have the lead! Iowa City already reeks of bacon.

Here it is again for any Gopher fans who have forgotten what it looks like over the last 6 years

9. Maryland (5-4)
CFP Rank: NR
Last Week: Penn. St (L 14-21)
Next: @ #7 Michigan. St

Found out a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel can be mixed with a Golden Retriever this week. Its freaking adorable.

My God I'm melting

10. Illinois (4-6)

CFP Rank: NR

Last Week: @ #20 Minnesota (W 14-6)

Next: Bye

Bert and his boys are back inside the top ten! They get the week off to revel in the spoils at Fleck's expense. The Illini head to Iowa City trying to spoil senior day for the Hawkeyes next week. 

11. Rutgers (4-5)
CFP Rank: NR
Last Week: #21 Wisconsin (L 52-3)
Next: @Indiana

I put Rutgers at 11... not a... not much else to say... Go Scarlet Knights?

12. Indiana (2-7)
CFP Rank: NR
Last Week: @ #7 Michigan (L 7-29)
Next: Rutgers

Life's not fair. The Hoosiers schedule has featured six... SIX top 10 teams this year. A bowl game is no longer a possibility and I hope this team can continue to fight.

13. Nebraska (3-7)
CFP Rank: NR
Last Week: #5 Ohio. St (L 17-26)
Next: Bye

The only reason Scott F****** Frost still has a f****** job is because if he was fired this year he'd be owed $20 million dollars. After firing all of his offensive assistants, he is quoted as saying "it was easy to make the sacrifice." NO SHIT SHERLOCK! The dude will simply ride out next year with the same amount of success as the previous four (NONE) and then be fired. What a low point for a once proud program.

14. Northwestern (3-6)
CFP Rank: NR
Last Week: #22 Iowa (L 17-12)
Next: @ #18 Wisconsin 

Setting the O/U on total yards for the Wildcats this weekend at 69. Give your pick in the comment section.

Here are the games for the weekend and the standings heading into the final third of the season.