Big Ten Football: Week 7 Power Rankings

There is much more of the same in this week’s stacking of the Big Ten. For a Saturday without many surprises, the top teams continue to perform at impressive levels, notably Ohio State’s easy handling of a ranked Michigan State team in primetime and Penn State’s comprehensive win over an injured Purdue team. The most important win of the week was Michigan’s win over Iowa at home. In a defensive war, the Wolverines showed that they can compete with the league’s best even though they have had a few unconvincing wins. For the Hawkeyes, will they be able to find offense in the weeks to come?

Big Ten Football Week 7 Power Rankings

No. 14 Rutgers (1-4, 0-3 B1G)

Previous: No. 14; Last Result: Loss against Maryland 7-48

Rutgers had a good opportunity to find a competitive game against a Maryland team that could have been very well beatable, but they did not take advantage of that opportunity. Given the change in the head coaching position, Rutgers has a lot of things to figure out internally within the program before they are competitive in the league, especially in the Big Ten East division. Will Rutgers get a win against a Big Ten team this season? Right now the outlook is very bleak.

No. 13 Purdue (1-4, 0-2 B1G)

Previous: No. 12; Last Result: Loss at #12 Penn State 7-35

Without their starting quarterback, Purdue is in a lot of trouble offensively. The good news for the Boilermakers is that there’s a chance Sindelar can return this season. The bad news is that it will be much later into the season, perhaps in 6 to 8 weeks. Purdue’s defense allowed them to prevent a complete blowout against Penn State, but the offense simply is no longer there for Purdue’s injury-ridden team.

No. 12 N’western (1-4, 0-3 B1G)

Previous: No. 11; Last Week Result: Loss at Nebraska 10-13

In another putrid offensive showing, the Wildcats failed to top 17 points for the fourth time in five games on Saturday. QB Aidan Smith, a Fort Wayne native, tried to keep Nebraska off balance with the running game, but a late interception doomed Northwestern. The defense has impressed this season; can junior LB and captain Paddy Fisher fluster Justin Fields and the Buckeyes in a couple weeks?

No. 11 Illinois (2-3, 0-2 B1G)

Previous: No. 13; Last Result: Loss at Minnesota 17-40

After a 2-0 start, the Fighting Illini have dropped three straight games after falling to the Golden Gophers on Saturday. Lovie Smith’s defense gave up 487 yards of offense with 332 coming on the ground for Minnesota. That is the second game in a row that Illinois has given up over 300 rushing yards. With that said, they have shown improvement the last couple games. The defense has to shape up as the Illini return home next Saturday in a cross-division matchup against Michigan.

No. 10 Maryland (3-2, 1-1 B1G)

Entering the week with a record of 2-2, Maryland had lost its stride from where they started the season. However, a 48-7 blowout win against Rutgers brought some much needed help to the Terrapins if they want to stay afloat in the Big Ten. Big plays aided the Maryland offense as three of their touchdowns went for 80 yards or more. The Terrapins can use this win to build on as they are on the road next week against a struggling Purdue squad.

No. 9 Nebraska (4-2, 2-1 B1G)

At the start of the season, Nebraska fans would have looked at you quizzically if you had told them that backup QB Noah Vedral and walk-on safety-turned-kicker Lane McCallum keyed a Big Ten win for the Huskers. That happened on Saturday, as they scraped by Northwestern in Lincoln. QB Adrian Martinez and WR J.D. Spielman suffered injuries and their availability for next week’s game at Minnesota is uncertain.

No. 8 Indiana (3-2, 0-2 B1G)

The Hoosiers are coming off their first of two bye weeks for this season. This week is Indiana’s homecoming as they host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights who have only managed to win one game so far this season. The Hoosiers sit at 3-2 on the season and are looking to get back on the winning side after a close loss to the Spartans at the end of September. The matchup against Rutgers gives Indiana another opportunity to notch a much needed win as they continue their quest for a bowl appearance for the first time since 2016.

No. 7 Minnesota (5-0, 2-0 B1G)

Minnesota had its most convincing win on the season against a lowly Illinois team 40-17. Minnesota relied heavily on a strong rushing attack with Smith and Brooks pummeling Illinois for over 300 yards and two touchdowns. Minnesota remains undefeated on the season and will try to push all the way through October with an undefeated record which is likely as they face Nebraska, Rutgers and Maryland.