Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 9 EMOJI EDITION

Penn State Nittany Lions (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten)

Ranking: 1

LW: 1

Move: —

Penn State is built around the running game of Saquon Barkley and will need him playing his best in their playoff type game this weekend against Ohio State.

Next Week: at Ohio State

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

Ranking: 2

LW: 2

Move: —

The Buckeyes are getting hot at the right time. Following its lone loss to Oklahoma, Ohio State has looked unbeatable since.

Next Week: vs Penn State

Wisconsin Badgers (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten)

Ranking: 3

LW: 3

Move: —

Wisconsin may be the best team in their division, but by looking at it, that is not saying much. The Badgers’ biggest strength is the weak division they play in.

Next Week: at Illinois

Michigan State Spartans (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten)

Ranking: 4

LW: 5

Move: UP 1

Michigan State may be the biggest surprise this year in the Big Ten. With a victory over Indiana, they remain undefeated in Big Ten play.

Next Week: at Northwestern

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

Ranking: 5

LW: 4

Move: DOWN 1

Michigan appears to be a different team than many expected in the preseason. After a beating by Penn State, the Wolverines have lost their last two games and are all but eliminated from playoff contention.

Next Week: vs Rutgers

Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten)

Ranking: 6

LW: 6

Move: –

Minnesota needed a little bit of help from the Illini to escape with a win and Illinois was happy to oblige. After a nail biter, PJ Fleck has his first Big Ten win.

Next Week: at Iowa

Northwestern Wildcats (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten)

Ranking: 7

LW: 8

Move: UP 1

Fitzy and Co. are doing just enough to look competitive this season. Northwestern will continue to do just enough to sneak into a bowl game only to lose by 30 to ITT Tech.

Next Week: vs Michigan State

Maryland Terrapins (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten)

Ranking: 8

LW: 7

Move: DOWN 1

Maryland had an amazing early season win over Texas, but that may have been a different team. The Terrapins got taken to school by the Badgers this past weekend.

Next Week: vs Indiana

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-4, 2-2 Big Ten)

Ranking: 9

LW: 13

Move: UP 5

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are putting the Big Ten West on notice that they may no longer be the pushover many have labeled them as. These Knights know how to fight.

Next Week: at Michigan

Iowa Hawkeyes (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten)

Ranking: 10

LW: 9

Move: DOWN 1

Iowa did not put up much of a fight against Northwestern Saturday. With an average coach in a long-term contract, the Hawkeyes are absolute garbage right now compared to years past.

Next Week: vs Minnesota

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

Ranking: 11

LW: 12

Move: UP 1

Following their bye week, the Huskers are looking to bounce back in 2017. However, before all is said and done, the door may be closed on Mike Riley’s tenure at Nebraska.

Next Week: at Purdue

Indiana Hoosiers (3-4, 0-4 Big Ten)

Ranking: 12

LW: 10

Move: DOWN 2

Indiana did not look terrible against a good Michigan State team, however some errors and questionable play calling left fans wishing they could look away.

Next Week: at Maryland

Purdue Boilermakers (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten)

Ranking: 13

LW: 11

Move: DOWN 2

Purdue once looked promising but has looked awful over the past few weeks. After a loss to Rutgers, the Boilermakers are keeping the basement of the Big Ten occupied.

Next Week: vs Nebraska

Illinois Fighting Illini (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten)

Ranking: 14

LW: 13

Move: DOWN 1

Illinois has started the most freshmen in college football, and its record reflects that. The practice now will prove to be beneficial for these young players in the future.

Next Week: vs Wisconsin

Austin Jabs is a writer for The Champaign Room. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram for pictures of his little girl, average memes, sports depression, and the ramblings of an IT professional.