B1G Power Rankings following Week 10

Week 10 of the college football season is over, and what a wild one it was! Across the country, multiple top-10 teams fell in upset fashion while Illinois also fell by the wayside.

For the Illini, it was an upset bid from Michigan State in Champaign that dropped Illinois to 7-2. While Bret Bielema’s squad still has the edge in the B1G West, things are much tighter coming out of Week 10.

Outside of the B1G, No. 1 Tennessee, No. 4 Clemson and No. 6 Alabama all dropped games. It will be interesting to see where these teams land on the updated rankings next week.

Without further ado, here are our updated B1G Power Rankings with 3 weeks of football left in November:

14. Northwestern (1-8)

Last week: vs. Ohio State, L 21-7

At least it was a spirited effort against the Buckeyes? Granted, the weather had a lot to do with the low-scoring affair and overall performances, but there are not a lot of moral victories to be had this season. Northwestern is still staring at the prospects of its worst season under Pat Fitzgerald.

Up next: at Minnesota

13. Indiana (3-6)

Last Week: vs. Penn State, L 45-14

The situation for the Hoosiers turned from bad to worse in Week 10. Starting QB Connor Bazelak was a surprise scratch for the game, and his replacement — backup QB Jack Tuttle — was injured and did not play in the second half. The QB position was not the major issue in the loss, but the team would like to have one of Bazelak or Tuttle available for a road trip vs. Ohio State.

Up next: at Ohio State

12. Nebraska (3-6)

Last week: vs. Minnesota L, 20-13

The Huskers were another program playing with backup QBs in Week 10, but Nebraska started off the game clicking against the Gophers. Chubba Purdy led the offense to 10 first-quarter points. Unfortunately, that was the end of the highlights. Purdy was eventually replaced by Logan Smothers who put together some productive drives. However, it was too little too late for Nebraska after Minnesota rattled off 20 unanswered points.

Up next: at Michigan

11. Rutgers (4-5)

Last week: vs. Michigan, L 52-17

Redshirt freshman QB Gavin Wimsatt has some potential, and he displayed some strong plays in the first half against Michigan. Unfortunately, his miscues derailed the offense after halftime. Win or lose, the Scarlet Knights have a chance to get Wimsatt some valuable experience down the stretch.

Up next: at Michigan State

10. Michigan State (4-5)

Last week: at Illinois, W 23-15

Well, Mel Tucker’s group knows how to respond to adversity. With 8 plays suspended indefinitely after the ugly Week 9 incident in Ann Arbor, the Spartans headed to Champaign and took on the white-hot Illinois squad. Payton Thorne even opened the game with an interception. Fortunately, Michigan State turned things around on both sides of the ball, pulling off a ranked road win under tough circumstances.

Up next: vs. Rutgers

9. Purdue (5-4)

Last week: vs. Iowa, L 24-3

What is the worst way to come out of a bye week? How about getting held out of the end zone at home in a key matchup against a divisional opponent? It was also a second-straight loss for the Boilermakers after the team had carved out a role as a West competitor. Now, all that’s left is to try and play spoiler against Illinois.

Up next: at Illinois

8. Maryland (6-3)

Last week: at Wisconsin, L 23-10

The Terrapins had a great shot to get to 7 wins ahead of a tough stretch to close the season. Instead, the offense was held in check on the road with Taulia Tagovailoa limited to 77 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Roman Hemby was also locked down with 66 yards on 16 carries in the loss to the Badgers.

Up next: at Penn State

7. Wisconsin (5-4)

Last week: vs. Maryland, W 23-10

There’s nothing quite like a vintage Wisconsin effort to get ready for the tough November schedule. The Badgers completed just 5 passes in the game while rushing for 278 yards behind Braelon Allen and Isaac Guerendo in the win over the Terrapins. Jim Leonhard is still putting together his case for the full-time job, and he’s drawing rave reviews from the players.

Up next: at Iowa

6. Iowa (5-4)

Last week: at Purdue, W 24-3

Iowa’s defense will always travel, and the offense is starting to show more and more life heading into November. Spencer Petras was productive with a pair of touchdowns, and Kaleb Johnson broke free for 200 yards rushing in the win. With the loss by Illinois, the B1G West has become more wide-open, and the Hawkeyes are lurking — and clicking — at the right time.

Up next: vs. Wisconsin

5. Minnesota (6-3)

Last Week: at Nebraska, W 20-13

The Gophers produced quite the second-half turnaround on the road in Lincoln. After getting shutout in the first half, Minnesota had to replace starting QB Tanner Morgan who left the game due to injury. Athan Kaliakmanis responded, throwing for 137 yards while playing clean football against the Huskers. Kaliakmanis’ efforts were more than enough to compliment Mohamed Ibrahim’s afternoon of 32 carries for 128 yards and 2 TDs in the comeback win.

Up next: vs. Northwestern

4. Illinois (7-2)

Last Week: vs. Michigan State, L 23-15

Well, the B1G West is still in the picture, but the Illini will have their work cut out the rest of the way. A win against Purdue will keep Illinois in the driver’s seat for the division before having to face off against Michigan. More disappointing than anything else were the miscues that led to 23 unanswered points by the Spartans.

Up next: vs. Purdue

3. Penn State (7-2)

Last week: at Indiana, W 45-14

The Nittany Lions showed an ability once again to rebound from a loss, steamrolling Indiana on both sides of the ball. It was the true freshmen show offensively with Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton leading the way. Allen was particularly impressive while leading the team in rushing and receiving with his first career hat trick.

Up next: vs. Maryland

2. Michigan (9-0)

Last week: at Rutgers, W 52-17

At halftime, Michigan’s red-zone struggles were once again front-and-center with a 17-14 deficit vs. Rutgers. Fortunately, a huge 3rd quarter powered by 3 interceptions from the defense swung the game in a huge way. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards both had 100 yards rushing as the Wolverines leave Piscataway as big winners.

Up next: vs. Nebraska

1. Ohio State (9-0)

Last week: at Northwestern, W 21-7

We get it, the weather played a role, and that cannot be denied. Needing some extra time to establish the running game was not great. Even in a game with just 76 yards passing, CJ Stroud proved his worth and value. Stroud rushed for 79 yards on 6 carries for the Buckeyes in an unexpected rushing performance for the team.

Up next: vs. Indiana