Big Ten Football: Week 8 Power Rankings

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

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After a shocking week in the Big Ten, Saturday Blitz presents a surprising set of Big Ten Power Rankings.

14. Rutgers

Week 8 result – 34-32 loss to Minnesota

Rutgers came so close to finally bouncing back from this disastrous stretch of losses. The Scarlet Knights had a small glimpse of success in 2016. That glimpse didn’t last long, and now this team is just waiting for the season to end.

It’s hard to call a season a bust when the expectations weren’t high to begin with. But this Rutgers team is just having an awful year. There’s no chance of this team making a bowl game, and from the looks of it, they’ll be lucky to win another game.

This program better hope it can pick up a few solid recruits, because this season is putting a damper on the future of the program.

13. Illinois

Week 8 result – 41-8 loss to Michigan

Illinois isn’t focused on this season, and for good reason. Right now doesn’t look pretty, but the future is bright for the Fighting Illini.

With Lovie Smith in his first season as the head coach, this program is headed for success. They have two decent recruits coming into the program next season, both who should be looking to step into their roles and help improve this football team.

They aren’t going to turn this season around. And just like Rutgers, they’ll be lucky to pull off another victory this year. That’s okay, though, because this team should be more excited for the next five to ten years than it should be for the present.

12. Michigan State

Week 8 result – 28-17 loss to Maryland

If you matched all the bottom Big Ten teams up, Michigan State may be last. Fortunately, the Spartans started so high in the power rankings that it’s taking them a while to make their way into last place.

No one really knows what happened to Michigan State, but it’s not pretty. This team is easily the biggest disappointment of the season. A team who should’ve stayed in the top 10 all year might not win another game this season.

Lucky for us, the Spartans play Illinois and Rutgers before the season ends. Why are we lucky? Because we get to see if Michigan State truly is the worst team in the Big Ten.

11. Purdue

Week 8 result – 27-14 loss to Nebraska

Purdue put up a good fight against Nebraska. But against a top 10 team in the country, you’re going to need to be near perfect to come away with a W.

Now that Purdue has fallen below .500, it’s going to be difficult to turn this season around. I’m not saying it’s impossible to turn four losses into a low-end bowl game. It’s just very hard to win out when all you have left is conference games.

The Boilermakers are always that team that causes trouble for bigger Big Ten teams. This season, they’re trying their hardest to compete with these teams, but it’s just not happening. It could be that the Big Ten is getting better, or that Purdue is getting worse. Either way, the Boilermakers are going to need to step up their game if they want to salvage this season.

10. Indiana

Week 8 result – 24-14 loss to Northwestern

There’s no more defending Indiana on having a tough schedule. This team may have had to play Wisconsin and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks, but after a loss to Northwestern, it’s clear that their early season success was just a fluke.

The Hoosiers had a lot of promise, and may still have a bright future ahead of them. This year, though, Indiana’s season is over. With Penn State and Michigan still on the schedule, Indiana may be looking at a below .500 finish to the year.

Seeing Indiana at the top of the Big Ten was exciting, especially for Hoosiers fans. But that’s all but over as the back end of the season takes off.

9. Minnesota

Week 8 result – 34-32 win over Rutgers

Minnesota continues to hold on to their winning season. Even a two-point win is a victory for the Golden Gophers this year.

The Golden Gophers are hoping to just ride this season out and keep inching by teams on their way to a bowl game. They aren’t going to be ranked in the top 25 or compete for the Big Ten championship. What they are going to do, however, is finish with a record good enough to be considered for a bowl, and hopefully in the top half of the Big Ten power rankings.

This season isn’t something to look down upon for the Golden Gophers. At 5-2, they have a better record than most of the Big Ten. That’s a win through eight weeks.

8. Iowa

Week 8 result – 17-9 loss to Wisconsin

Afte two close games, Iowa finally fell to the hands of a Big Ten opponent again. Losing to Wisconsin by eight isn’t a bad loss for the Hawkeyes, but it’s still a loss.

Iowa looked like they may be back on the rise after back-to-back wins. If they were able to defeat Wisconsin, they may have been looking at another run in the top 25. But there’s nothing you can say to defend a loss.

This team’s chances at a Big Ten championship, or a reputable bowl game, are all but forgotten. Right now, all Iowa wants to do is finish above .500, and hope the bowl committee feels bad for them.

7. Northwestern

Week 8 result – 24-14 win over Indiana

Northwestern has turned its season around quickly over the past few weeks. After starting 1-3, the Wildcats are now looking like a bowl game contender with three straight wins.

With a win over Indiana, Northwestern has now taken control of the bottom half of the Big Ten. Not even Mike Greenberg believed Northwestern would be 4-3 with wins over Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan State. But here we are, and the Wildcats are slowly working their way up the Big Ten.

You can’t chalk this season up as a win yet. But if the Wildcats continue to win, and maybe pull off a 7-5 record, Northwestern fans will be more than happy.

6. Maryland

Week 8 result – 28-17 win over Michigan State

At this point, a win against Michigan State means practically nothing. At 5-2, though, Maryland should be happy to continue working on this winning season.

With losses to Minnesota and Penn State, it’s not likely that the Terripans will find themselves in the top 25 this season, or even competing as a Big Ten contender. But they are still in the running for a quality bowl game, which is a something any NCAA team would love to have.

This team is quietly building one of the best programs in the Big Ten. Next season, they have five top recruits headed their way. If they can continue to win this year, it could be much easier for them to find themselves in the AP Top 25 next season.

5. Wisconsin

Week 8 result – 17-9 win over Iowa

Wisconsin really needed a blowout win after back-to-back losses to Michigan and Ohio State. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case this week in their win over Iowa. A win is still a win, but the Badgers definitely were hoping for a much larger margin of victory.

Maybe this team is just beat after their two hardest games of the season. Let’s hope that’s the case before this great season turns into a disaster.

Wisconsin is in need of a big win over Nebraska. The problem is that after three tough games, the Badgers may be all but done this year. Nebraska is one of the best teams in the country, and if Wisconsin shows the slightest sign of defeat, the game is over. This game will define the Wisconsin Badgers for the entire 2016 season.

4. Penn State

Week 8 result – 24-21 win over Ohio State

What a big win for Penn State. Everyone said this team was on the rise after their win against Maryland, but I don’t think anyone expected this. As 19-point underdogs, Penn State claimed the biggest upset of the season, not only in the Big Ten but in college football.

This team proved that they can compete with anyone. For the first time all season, Penn State’s defense looked like the promising unit they were meant to be. When you claim six sacks against J.T. Barrett, you prove that you are one of the best defenses in the NCAA.

This team looked scary. Even after going down 21-7, the Nittany Lions never looked nervous. If this is how they plan to play for the rest of the season, the country could be in for a late-season surprise.

3. Nebraska

Week 8 result – 27-14 win over Purdue

Nebraska’s last two games have been a little to close to comfort for the No. 8-ranked team in the country. Against Purdue and Indiana, the Cornhuskers should have had two easy wins. That wasn’t the case, though, for two consecutive weeks.

Even if they continue to climb up the AP Poll, they’re definitely leaving red flags. This team needs to beat Wisconsin if they want to prove once and for all that they are for real. If they can walk out of next week still undefeated, the NCAA will need to pay attention.

However, if Wisconsin knocks off Nebraska, the Cornhuskers season may be all but finished. They have two or three games remaining to prove they’re worth a College Football Playoff spot. One against Wisconsin, and one against Ohio State before a potential Big Ten Championship appearance. At 7-0, red flags or not, Nebraska’s destiny is in their own hands.

2. Ohio State

Week 8 result – 24-21 loss to Penn State

After three tough games, Ohio State finally took an L. You can make all the excuses you want about Ohio State having a hard schedule, or losing because they were coming off a tough game against Wisconsin, but none of them are true.

Penn State beat the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes did not lose this game. For the first time all season, Ohio State played a team that outperformed them, and they had no answers for it.

The Buckeyes are still one of the best teams in the country. With five games remaining, including Nebraska and Michigan, Ohio State is in good shape to make the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately, if they have one more slip up, their playoffs hopes are officially over.

1. Michigan

Week 8 result – 41-8 win over Illinois

Michigan finally worked their way into the top spot in the Big Ten power rankings. After another impressive win, and the fall of Ohio State, the Big Ten is Michigan’s to lose.

Jim Harbaugh probably wasn’t happy Ohio State’s first loss wasn’t to the Wolverines, but I’m sure he’d take a Buckeyes’ loss either way.

For Michigan, this team is set for big things. Eight weeks into the season, this team looks like the only thing standing in their way is Alabama. Honestly, it’s hard to say that Michigan would definitely loss to the Crimson Tide, especially in a big game.

The College Football Playoff is going to be one exciting tournament if Michigan is in it. With a chance to truly become the most hated team in football by winning a National Championship, it’s hard to say Michigan won’t do anything necessary to win.