Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 8

Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)

Ranking: 1

LW: 1

Move: —

Penn State had the weekend off as they prepare to host Michigan next weekend.

Next Week: vs. Michigan

Ohio State Buckeyes (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten)

Ranking: 2

LW: 2

Move: —

The Buckeyes took Nebraska to the woodshed, winning by 42 points and furthering their resume for the College Football Playoff Committee.

Next Week: BYE

Wisconsin Badgers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)

Ranking: 3

LW: 3

Move: —

In a low scoring affair, Wisconsin was able to edge Purdue 17-9. The Badgers are still well in control of their destiny in the Big Ten Conference.

Next Week: vs. Maryland

Michigan Wolverines (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten)

Ranking: 4

LW: 4

Move: —

Michigan outplayed Indiana in an overtime victory in Bloomington this past weekend. The Wolverines continue to play just well enough to emerge victorious. Next weeks matchup with #2 Penn State will be their biggest test to date.

Next Week: at Penn State

Michigan State Spartans (5-1, 3-0 Big Ten)

Ranking: 5

LW: 6

Move: UP 1

The Spartans are no longer underdogs in the Big Ten, but they looked to be that way against Minnesota this past weekend. A three-point victory on the road may show a weakness in the Michigan State armor.

Next Week: vs. Indiana

Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten)

Ranking: 6

LW: 7

Move: UP 1

Minnesota played Michigan State to the wire, just barely losing to the Spartans after failing to recover an onside kick at the end of the game. The Golden Gophers are trending upward for the future, however, and they get a matchup with winless Illinois next weekend.

Next Week: vs. Illinois

Maryland Terrapins (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten)

Ranking: 7

LW: 5

Move: DOWN 2

After coning off a slaughter at the hands of the Buckeyes, the Terrapin faithful hoped for a win over Northwestern this weekend. The Wildcats soundly defeated the Terrapins, however, thanks to the legs of Justin Jackson.

Next Week: at Wisconsin

Northwestern Wildcats (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten)

Ranking: 8

LW: 9

Move: UP 1

Northwestern played well against Maryland thanks to Justin Jackson and his 171 yards. The Wildcats will look to get back to .500 in conference play next weekend against Iowa.

Next Week: vs Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten)

Ranking: 9

LW: 8

Move: DOWN 1

Iowa had the week off as they prepare to visit Northwestern next weekend.

Next Week: at Northwestern

Indiana Hoosiers (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten)

Ranking: 10

LW: 10

Move: —

Indiana gave Michigan all they could handle this past weekend, taking the loss in overtime. Hoosier fans have nothing to be ashamed of, however, as they looked good even in defeat.

Next Week: at Michigan State

Purdue Boilermakers (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten)

Ranking: 11

LW: 11

Move: —

The Boilermakers were unable to get anything going in the air or on the on the ground, but their defense showed promise in a 17-9 loss to division leader Wisconsin. The future is bright for Purdue with Brohm at the helm.

Next Week: at Rutgers

Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-4, 2-2 Big Ten)

Ranking: 12

LW: 12

Move: —

Nebraska ran in to the Buckeyes, took a huge 56-14 loss, and have further jeopardized the job of Head Coach Mike Riley. Look for the Huskers to be in the market for a new coach in 2018.

Next Week: BYE

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-4, 1-2 Big Ten)

Ranking: 13

LW: 14

Move: UP 1

Rutgers was able to take the Illini to task, and thus escape the Big Ten basement. The Scarlet Knights outplayed the Illini in all aspects of the game and the final score, 35-24, does not reflect the utter dominance Rutgers had over Illinois.

Next Week: vs. Purdue

Illinois Fighting Illini (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten)

Ranking: 14

LW: 13

Move: DOWN 1

What more is there to say about the Illini. Rutgers, on a 16-game Big Ten losing streak, came in to Champaign and outplayed Illinois in every single aspect of the game. The Illini are now facing the very real possibility (likelihood) of winning zero Big Ten games in 2017.

Next Week: at Minnesota