Penn State Nittany Lions

Big Ten Conference Power Rankings After Week 8

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After a shocking upset, there is a change at the top of the Big Ten power rankings

Ohio State’s loss to Penn State Saturday night, coupled with Michigan’s blowout win versus Illinois and the Wolverines now find themselves in the top spot of the Big Ten rankings.

Wisconsin, Nebraska and Penn State all remain in the top 5.  Michigan State continued it’s woes against Maryland.  Rutgers nearly got a conference win but it was not to be against Minnesota.

Michigan Wolverines

(7-0, 4-0)

Last week: (6-0, 3-0)Last rank: 2nd

Another week and another crushing victory over a bad opponent. Michigan cruised to a 41-8 victory where they didn’t allow points until the fourth quarter with the game well in hand. Now, Michigan tops the rankings and it does not appear any team will be able to stop them before their showdown in Columbus. Up next is a contest against their in-state rival Michigan State.2

Ohio State Buckeyes

(6-1, 3-1)

Last week: (6-0, 3-0)Last rank: 1st

The Buckeyes drop a spot after a shocking loss to Penn State, 24-21. Ohio State still controls it’s own destiny for a Big Ten title and they have an outside chance to make the playoff, but there is no more room for error. Their lack of passing game must be addressed. The Buckeyes return home next week to host resurgent Northwestern.3

Wisconsin Badgers

(5-2, 2-2)

Last week: (4-2, 1-2)Last rank: 4th

Wisconsin absolutely smothered Iowa’s offense in Iowa City, holding the Hawkeyes to no touchdowns and allowing only 236 yards, grinding out a 17-9 victory. The Badgers appear back on track for now and their tough schedule continues next week as they host Nebraska, a pivotal match-up to determine the Big Ten West champion.4

Nebraska Cornhuskers

(7-0, 4-0)

Last week: (6-0, 3-0)Last rank: 3rd

Nothing overly impressive about the Cornhuskers win over Purdue 27-14, but they got the job done. Down 14-10 at halftime, Nebraska shutdown the Boilermakers in the second half. They have not impressed on the season, but just winning has kept Nebraska in the conference title race. A huge test on the road against Wisconsin is up next.5

Penn State Nittany Lions

(5-2, 3-1)

Last week: (4-2, 2-1)Last rank: 5th

The Nittany Lions shocked the college football world Saturday night, beating the Buckeyes 24-21. A huge win for not only this season, but the future of the program. The season has turned around for James Franklin’s squad in the month of October and 10 wins is now a real possibility. Penn State travels to take on Purdue next Saturday.6

Iowa Hawkeyes

(5-3, 3-2)

Last week: (5-2, 3-1)Last rank: 6th

Iowa could get little done offensively, being held to under 240 yards and no touchdowns in their loss to Wisconsin 17-9. The loss probably ends Iowa’s hopes of repeating as Big Ten West champion and it’s also the third straight home loss for the Hawkeyes. Iowa has a bye week before traveling to State College to take on Penn State.7

Northwestern Wildcats

(4-3, 3-1)

Last week: (3-3, 2-1)Last rank: 9th

Northwestern got out to a big lead on three touchdown passes from quarterback Clayton Thorson, then they just held on to a 24-14 victory over Indiana. After a slow start to the season, the Wildcats have won three straight and they are the middle of the Big Ten West race. A tough test awaits next week as they travel to Ohio State.8

Minnesota Golden Gophers

(5-2, 2-2)

Last week: (4-2, 1-2)Last rank: 8th

Minnesota needed a field goal with 10 seconds left to seal a home victory against Rutgers. One of the Gopher’s strengths is their defense, but they were shaky at best, giving up 372 total yards to a bad Rutgers squad. Regardless, a win is a win. Minnesota hits the road next week, traveling to take on Illinois.9

Maryland Terrapins

(5-2, 2-2)

Last week: (4-2, 1-2)Last rank: 10th

Maryland played a solid game against Michigan State that ended in a 28-17 victory. After a two game losing streak, Maryland looks back on track and could be in line for a bowl game being only one win away from eligibility. They face division foe Indiana next week on the road.10

Indiana Hoosiers

(3-4, 1-3)

Last week: (3-3, 1-2)Last rank: 7th

For the Hoosiers, it must feel like it’s been a lifetime since their last win. They lost their third consecutive game, falling to Northwestern 24-14 in a game that really wasn’t as close as the score indicated. Indiana will look to reverse their fortunes against Maryland next week at home.11

Michigan State Spartans

(2-5, 0-4)

Last week: (2-4, 0-3)Last rank: 11th

That is now five-straight losses for the Spartans and they are still winless in conference. It’s been a really rough year in East Lansing and there is no sign of the bleeding stopping anytime soon. They are now in danger of missing a bowl game for the first time in 10 seasons. Rival Michigan visits East Lansing next week.12

Purdue Boilermakers

(3-4, 1-3)

Last week: (3-3, 1-2)Last rank: 12th

Purdue played with nothing to lose and even lead Nebraska at halftime by 4 points. But in the second half, Nebraska shutout the Boilermakers and Purdue lost 27-14. Interim head coach Gerad Parker threw a few tricks at Nebraska and had his team ready, but unfortunately the Cornhuskers were too much in the second half. Purdue hosts Penn State next week. 13

Illinois Fighting Illini

(2-5, 1-3)

Last week: (2-4, 1-2)Last rank: 13th

Illinois was completely overwhelmed by Michigan to the tune of a 41-8 loss. The Illini could only muster 172 yards on offense, six first downs and turned over the ball twice. That’s pretty much the story this year of teams going up against the Michigan defense. Illinois returns home next week to host Minnesota.14

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

(2-6, 0-5)

Last week: (2-5, 0-4)Last rank: 14th

Rutgers showed more fight against Minnesota than they had in their last three games, but they still came up just short, losing 34-32. In his first start, quarterback Giovanni Rescigno played pretty well, throwing for 220 yards and three touchdowns to two interceptions. There are no moral victories, but this might be a little spark that head coach Chris Ash can build from. Rutgers gets a much needed break next week before hosting Indiana.

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