B1G Week 7 power rankings: Iowa is back in the driver's seat with third win over ranked opponent
Every weekend in college football should be like the one we experienced in the B1G in Week 6. The action was good in all three time slots on Saturday.
Sure, there were some snoozers along the way — looking at you Maryland-Ohio State and Wisconsin-Illinois — but we saw three really fun contests in Week 6. It’s weekends like that which keep us coming back for more.
No. 4 Penn State vs. No. 3 Iowa came down to the final minutes. No. 9 Michigan needed a full 60 minutes to fight off Nebraska. Even No. 11 Michigan State had its hands full with a feisty Rutgers team.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve got my fingers crossed in hopes that we’ll have more Saturdays like that in October and November.
Now that I’m done swooning over the excitement from Saturday, let’s get into the Week 7 B1G power rankings:
14. Northwestern Wildcats (2-3, 0-2)
Last week: OFF
The Wildcats had a week off to rest, get healthy and try to figure things out on both sides of the ball. We’ll see if it pays off next Saturday.
Next up: vs. Rutgers
13. Illinois Fighting Illini (2-5, 1-3)
Last week: vs. Wisconsin, 24-0 L
Bret Bielema’s team is really fighting Northwestern for that last spot. Illinois finished Saturday’s game against Wisconsin with fewer than 100 total yards, the quarterbacks completed just 11-of-34 passes and the Illini ended the day with only 9 first downs. The defense actually played a decent game, but it’s hard to win when you don’t score any points. A free Saturday is exactly what the players and coaches need in Champaign. Although it doesn’t get any easier, playing Penn State in two weeks.
Next up: OFF
12. Indiana Hoosiers (2-3, 0-2)
Last week: OFF
Did Indiana figure out its offense during the free week? It better hope so. The Hoosiers are going to have to score some points in order to hang with Michigan State.
Next up: vs. #11 Michigan State
11. Wisconsin Badgers (2-3, 1-3)
Last week: at Illinois, 24-0 W
Once again, the Wisconsin defense answered the bell. It finally received some help from the offense, with Chez Mellusi and Braelon Allen both eclipsing the 100-yard mark on the ground. The Badgers still need to find consistency under center as Graham Mertz struggled yet again. Maybe an outing like Saturday will give Wisconsin some confidence moving forward the rest of this season. Paul Chryst’s team could certainly use it after failing to get a second win until October.
Next up: vs. Army
10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-3, 0-3)
Last week: vs. #11 Michigan State, 31-13 L
Getting into the end zone is still a problem for Rutgers against high-level teams in the B1G. The defense struggled to contain Michigan State’s playmakers, but it still played well enough to hang around for four quarters. The offense was also able to move the ball at times on the Spartans’ defense, even without Bo Melton at receiver. Greg Schiano’s team is still improving, but it lacks the talent necessary to knock off some of the better teams in the B1G. We’ve seen that play out over the past three games.
Next up: at Northwestern
9. Maryland Terrapins (4-2, 1-2)
Last week: at #7 Ohio State, 66-17 L
Back-to-back blowout losses against two of the B1G’s top teams. That’s not ideal for a team that was sitting at 4-0 just a few weeks ago. It’s proof, though, that Mike Locksley’s team hasn’t quite arrived yet. Maryland has had trouble on both sides of the football during the past two games, problems that have been compounded by injuries and absences by top players. This is a great time for the Terrapins to regroup and try to get this program back on the right track. It still needs just two victories to get to bowl eligibility.
Next up: OFF
8. Purdue Boilermakers (3-2, 1-1)
Last week: OFF
Purdue needed the week off to get healthy and work on its rushing attack. The Boilers love to throw the football, but they’ve really struggled to find the end zone the past 3 weeks.
Next up: at #3 Iowa
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-4, 1-3)
Last week: vs. #9 Michigan, 32-29 L
Another heartbreaking loss for Nebraska. The Huskers have now lost three games to ranked opponents by a total of 13 points. Eliminate the loss to Illinois and this looks like a really different season. So if you’re wondering why a team with a losing record is slotted in the top half of the B1G, that’s why. Nebraska desperately needs to figure out a way to close out these kind of games, but it’s still playing at a pretty high level, especially on the defensive end.
Next up: at Minnesota
6. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2, 1-1)
Last week: OFF
This Minnesota team has been involved in a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde situation. Let’s see how the Golden Gophers come out of the off week with additional time to prepare for Nebraska.
Next up: vs. Nebraska
5. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-1, 3-0)
Last week: vs. Maryland, 66-17 W
Things have really started clicking in Columbus, haven’t they? For three weeks, Ohio State has played as well as we expected coming into the season. The defense has registered a touchdown in four straight games and the offense has exceeded 50 points in each of the last three contests. But the Buckeyes have played Tulsa, Akron, Rutgers and Maryland during that stretch. How will they handle the challenge against some of the better competition in the B1G this year? That’s one reason why Ohio State still sits at No. 5, despite the high-level performances recently. There’s still a little bit of the unknown lingering.
Next up: OFF
4. Penn State Nittany Lions (5-1, 2-1)
Last week: at #3 Iowa, 23-20 L
What else is there really to say? Penn State has to fall because it lost and the three teams ahead remain undefeated, but would that have been the case if Sean Clifford hadn’t been injured? The Nittany Lions were clicking until he went down, but that’s how the game goes. The good news for James Franklin’s team? They still have Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State on the schedule. Penn State still controls its destiny.
Next up: OFF
3. Michigan Wolverines (6-0, 3-0)
Last week: at Nebraska, 32-29 W
For a second straight week, Michigan went on the road and escaped with a win in front of a hostile environment. This time, the Wolverines had to win in a shootout, and found a way to get the job done. Healthy doses of Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum in the rushing attack and solid play from Cade McNamara at important times was the difference for Michigan. Now, the Wolverines sit with a 6-0 record and a chance to catch their breath before entering the most difficult stretch of the season.
Next up: OFF
2. Michigan State Spartans (6-0, 3-0)
Last week: at Rutgers, 31-13 W
So many weapons on the offensive side of the ball for Michigan State. Kenneth Walker III and Jalen Nailor flashed in Piscataway, coming up with several big plays throughout the game. The Spartans are also getting great play from Payton Thorne at quarterback, who has thrown the ball like one of the top quarterbacks in the B1G through the first half of the season. The defense still has some questions, but it’s playing well enough to get the job done. It’s been pretty remarkable the job Mel Tucker has done during his short time in East Lansing.
Next up: at Indiana
1. Iowa Hawkeyes (6-0, 3-0)
Last week: vs. #4 Penn State, 23-20 W
Four more forced turnovers for the nation’s most opportunistic defense. The offense came up with some big plays, especially in the second half, to lift Iowa to its third win over a ranked opponent this season. This isn’t just about the Hawkeyes’ unbelievable knack to haul in an ungodly number of interceptions, the Hawkeyes are playing well on special teams and taking advantage of opportunities offensively, too. If Kirk Ferentz’s team continues to play this well, there’s no question they’re Indianapolis bound. A trip to the College Football Playoff could be in Iowa’s future, too.
Next up: vs. Purdue