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B1G Power Rankings after Week 12: It all comes down to Rivalry Week in the East
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Remember when we looked at the Week 12 schedule and scoffed at all the matchups? Yeah, guess we were wrong.
There weren’t any major upsets in the B1G this week, but Saturday did provide us with one of the more entertaining days of the season. Ohio State-Maryland and Wisconsin-Purdue were games decided in overtime. Michigan State-Nebraska was a classic B1G defensive struggle. Kirk Ferentz won his 150th career game.
Six of the seven matchups were within two scores.
So yeah, it wasn’t so bad. And the results from Saturday translated to some changes in our weekly power rankings. Here’s where teams stand heading into the final week of the regular season:
14. Rutgers, 1-10 (lost to No. 14 Penn State 20-7)
As much as Rutgers has been the butt of everyone’s jokes this season, this team has been much improved than past years. The Scarlet Knights still aren’t winning and the 1-10 record is embarrassing, but the loss to Penn State could’ve been much uglier. Take the moral victory, Chris Ash. You need any win you can get.
13. Illinois, 4-7 (lost to Iowa 63-0)
What an incredible disappointing way to end the home season for the Illinois seniors. The 63-0 blowout loss was the worst in the program’s history. The Illini have had their struggles over the last three years, but it never endured anything this bad. Just a tough way to go out.
12. Minnesota, 5-6 (lost to No. 22 Northwestern 24-14)
The Gophers got another really good performance from the defense, but offensively they struggled to get things rolling. Minnesota had three turnovers, ultimately the difference in the game. P.J. Fleck’s team is currently 12th in the power rankings, but this team has a legitimate shot to pull off an upset next week against Wisconsin and reach the postseason with the way the defense has played the last two weeks.
11. Maryland, 5-6 (lost to No. 10 Ohio State 52-51)
One more stop. One more catch. If Maryland could’ve kept Ohio State’s offense out of the end zone on that final drive — or converted that two-point conversion in overtime — the Terrapins would’ve been the talk of the weekend. Anthony McFarland was spectacular, racking up 298 yards and two touchdowns. Matt Canada coached an incredible game. It just wasn’t enough to knock off the Buckeyes.
10. Indiana, 5-6 (lost to No. 4 Michigan 31-20)
Tom Allen’s crew had Michigan on the ropes through most of the game, even taking a 17-15 lead into halftime. The Wolverines’ defense woke up in the second half though, holding the Hoosiers to just three second half points. Indiana has played well against ranked opponents all season but has had its struggles in winnable games. The Hoosiers’ bowl hopes come down to next Saturday’s rivalry showdown with Purdue.
9. Purdue, 5-6 (lost to Wisconsin 47-44)
It was over. Purdue owned a two-touchdown lead over the Badgers in the fourth quarter and appeared to be locking up a postseason berth for the second straight season. Instead, the Boilermakers’ defense crumbled in crunch time and Jeff Brohm’s bunch has a 1-3 record since beating Ohio State. As mentioned above, Purdue’s bowl hopes come down to the Old Oaken Bucket matchup against Indiana next weekend.
8. Michigan State, 6-5 (lost to Nebraska 9-6)
Is there much left to really say at this point? Michigan State’s defense was phenomenal. The offense was abysmal. It’s been the same story every single week. The Spartans should be able to end the year on a positive note, hosting Rutgers to close out the season.
7. Nebraska, 4-7 (def. Michigan State 9-6)
Scott Frost is right, Nebraska is capable of beating just about anyone in the conference right now. Nobody would’ve expected the Huskers to be on the right side of a 9-6 contest, but they found a way to get the job done. A team’s record isn’t always the best indicator of how it’s playing. That’s exactly the case for Nebraska. Friday’s matchup against Iowa should be really, really fun.
6. Wisconsin, 7-4 (def. Purdue 47-44)
Happy birthday, Paul Chryst. Wisconsin somehow overcame a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to pull off the triple overtime win over Purdue. Two impressive catches from Danny Davis and a 321-yard, three-touchdown performance from Jonathan Taylor propelled the Badgers to a victory. Chryst couldn’t have asked for a better gift.
5. Iowa, 7-4 (def. Illinois 63-0)
Make a statement, Iowa. Unfortunately for the Hawkeyes, the win comes a little too late, but it still was nice to get back into the win column. Saturday’s victory also marked the 150th career win at the school for Kirk Ferentz, an incredible feat. It was also the largest margin of victory in the Ferentz era for the Hawkeyes.
4. Penn State, 8-3 (def. Rutgers 20-7)
Kind of a ho-hum effort from Penn State this week. The Nittany Lions probably should’ve won by more, but without another marquee matchup on the schedule, there really isn’t much concern about Penn State’s performance. Next week’s game against Maryland could be an interesting battle, especially with the Terrapins trying to reach the postseason.
3. Northwestern, 7-4 (def. Minnesota 24-14)
“Champions win football games.” That’s the quote Pat Fitzgerald gave the media last week when asked if Northwestern will take it easy until the B1G title game. The West champs found a way to beat Minnesota this weekend, improving to 7-4 on the season and 7-1 on the year. Say what you will about the Cats, but they’re now winners of 13 of their last 14 B1G games. That’s an incredible feat.
2. Ohio State, 10-1 (def. Maryland 52-51)
You could hear the sigh of relief when Maryland’s two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete. Despite another awful defensive performance, Ohio State found a way to get another tally in the win column. Ultimately, that’s all that matters. Although it was ugly, the Buckeyes improved to 10-1 and will compete for a shot to play Northwestern in the B1G Championship Game. Needless to say, Ohio State has to play much, much better if it wants to return to Indianapolis.
1. Michigan, 10-1 (def. Indiana 31-20)
Like its rival, Michigan struggled in a trap game against Indiana. The Wolverines trailed 17-15 at the half, but the Wolverines’ defense was dominant in the second half. Next Saturday marks the most important game of Jim Harbaugh’s time in Ann Arbor. A win over Ohio State and a trip to the B1G Championship Game would be a huge weight off his shoulders.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB