Big Ten Power Rankings: 10/21

posted October 21, 2014 in CommRadio, Sports by Jack Milewski

1) Michigan State: The Spartans have been the best team in the Big Ten and there is no reason to think that they will fall to a sub-par Michigan team this weekend. Michigan State is ranked eighth in the nation and boasts the third highest scoring offense. They also have a very stout defense and are the best all-around Big Ten team as well as the most skilled in my book. A 56-17 rout against Indiana this past weekend doesn’t hurt them one bit, Sparty remains on top.

Last Week: 1

2) Ohio State: Speaking of 56-17 routs, that’s exactly what Ohio State did to Rutgers on Saturday. J.T. Barrett has been the cornerstone of the Buckeye offense all season and he is putting up numbers similar to those produced by some of the Heisman candidates. Ohio State has a top five offense and a top 25 defense. With weapons on both sides of the ball they should be more than able to handle Penn State’s weak offensive attack and put up a significant amount of points as well.

Last Week: 2

3) Nebraska: The Cornhuskers were tested by Northwestern, but used a big second half, in particular a 17-point fourth quarter, to handily beat the Wildcats. Ameer Abdullah produced another 100-plus yard game and had a season high four touchdown carries. He remains one of the best backs in the nation and until he stops producing at a high level, if he does at all, Nebraska will continue to give opposing teams fits with their running attack.

Last Week: 3

4) Wisconsin: At the beginning of the season, for some reason, I wasn’t all in about Melvin Gordon. However, the more I watch him play the more he impresses me. Wisconsin is by no means a championship caliber team, but they are solid on both sides of the ball and with the Big Ten as weak as it is this year, they claim the four spot despite a bye week this past weekend. If Wisconsin can figure out their passing game, then this team may really become a legitimate threat.

Last Week: 5

5) Minnesota: They won, but it sure wasn’t pretty. Just squeaking by Purdue will definitely drop you down a peg, despite the fact that the Boilermakers have been playing progressively better. After blowing out Michigan and producing a solid win over Northwestern, the Golden Gophers took a step back this week. Still, they are now one of four teams in the Big Ten at 6-1 and in prime position to grab a spot in an upper-tier bowl game.

Last Week: 4

6) Maryland: Just when I was starting to have doubts about this team they produced a convincing win against a stellar Iowa team. The win followed the script of how Maryland has been playing all season. Lots of points for, lots of points against. As I’ve said before, they need to clean things up on the defensive end before they start beating the very high caliber teams, but an impressive win gives the Terps a jump in the rankings.

Last Week: 9

7) Iowa: This is where the water gets murky when trying to sort out the teams in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes lost, but at least they kept it close. Maryland is a team that Iowa should beat if they want to prove their legitimacy, but by the same token the Terps are no slouch. Iowa has the weekend off before they take on Northwestern, who has been up and down. Look for them to rebound against the Wildcats. If they don’t they could be in trouble.

Last Week: 6

8) Northwestern: Yes, they are now 3-4, but I can’t help to still like this team for some reason. The problem is they are very streaky. After losing two straight they then won three in a row before dropping their last two. Their defense continues to be the one consistent point of their team, although they did give up 38 points last week. Their next game against Iowa will most likely decide the season for the Wildcats.

Last Week: 8

9) Rutgers: I said last week that the game against Ohio State would prove if Rutgers 5-1 record was legit. It’s safe to say that it was not. The Scarlet Knights got embarrassed by the Buckeyes and their schedule doesn’t get easier from here. With upcoming games against Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Michigan State, this season may be in a steady decline for Rutgers.

Last Week: 7

10)  Michigan: The win over Penn State may have been simply a temporary saving grace for the Wolverines as they have to face the Spartans this weekend. If Michigan can keep a close game against Michigan State, with the season they are having it could probably be counted as a moral victory. It’s hard to think that the Wolverines have a chance Saturday, but stranger things have happened.

Last Week: 10

11)  Penn State: Much like Michigan, this game against Ohio State is a long shot for the Nittany Lions to win. However, in many cases it is a must win. Going 4-3 with a few more tough games could be detrimental to Penn State’s bowl hopes. Also, from a mental standpoint, after going 4-0 to start the season, 4-3 looks pretty bad. The Nittany Lions will need to play their best game of the season by far, and get some help to beat the Buckeyes.

Last Week: 11

12)  Purdue: A one-point loss to Minnesota is actually a very impressive outcome for this team. After playing Michigan State close they almost beat a 5-1 team. Austin Appleby is definitely the future of Boilermaker football and the way he has the team playing should excite the Purdue faithful.

Last Week: 12

13)  Indiana: The season wasn’t going anywhere for the Hoosiers and the loss to Michigan State just solidified that. The one exciting thing about the team is watching running back Tevin Coleman play. He has rushed for over 122 yards in every game, and has been kept out of the end zone only once. Despite the lost season for the team, Coleman is on a record setting pace of his own.

Last Week: 13

14)  Illinois: I don’t think this team will move from the bottom of the list for the rest of the year. They just don’t have any kind of fire power on either side of the ball and despite the weakness of the Big Ten, Illinois still isn’t up to the standards of many of the other teams.

Last Week: 14

Jack Milewski is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him please email him at jbm250@psu.edu