Week 11 B1G QB Rankings: Injury bug overshadows big days from Jack Plummer, Michael Penix Jr.

For the first time since the opening month of the season, we’ve got all 14 B1G quarterbacks ranked in one week. Whether it’s been injury recovery or backups have finally made enough starts to deserve an evaluation, every gunslinger in the conference made the list.

But it may not be that way for long.

Purdue’s Jack Plummer, who was having a solid outing, left the game with an ankle injury, and was eventually carted off the field. After a 31-27 win over Nebraska, Jeff Brohm said Plummer is likely done for the year.

A few miles south of West Lafayette, Indiana’s Michael Penix Jr. also left the game early because he was “dinged up” against Northwestern in the first half. His absence didn’t affect the Hoosiers too much in a 34-3 win, but Penix’s status is in question.

We’ll find out soon enough on the status of both guys.

With so many teams enjoying an idle week, there wasn’t much change near the top of this week’s quarterback rankings. But there’s plenty of reshuffling near the bottom, especially with a few quarterbacks making a return to the field on Saturday.

Conditions were much better than a week ago, when a monsoon swept across the Midwest. The numbers were a little prettier this weekend than last, and really leveled the playing field for all eight quarterbacks in action.

So, without stealing anymore of your time, here’s a look at where the 14 B1G quarterbacks rank following the first weekend in November.

14. Aidan Smith, Northwestern

Last week vs. Indiana: 5-of-12, 47 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

Saturday marked the fourth time this season that Smith completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes. Northwestern’s offense was anemic once again, forcing Pat Fitzgerald to insert Hunter Johnson back into the lineup. We’ll see if Smith is the starter next week against Purdue

Last week: No. 11

13. Johnny Langan, Rutgers

Last week vs. Illinois: 5-of-10, 86 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

In the first half, Langan showed some real life against Illinois. He got the score tied at 10-10 at half before the Illini pulled away in the final 30 minutes. Langan’s passing numbers weren’t great, but he did run the ball 23 times for 41 yards as well, trying to use his mobility to get something going offensively.

Last week: No. 10

12. Josh Jackson, Maryland

Last week vs. #14 Michigan: 9-of-20, 97 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT

Jackson’s return didn’t result in any kind of masterful performance for the Terrapins. He got back on the field against a feisty Michigan defense, and threw for under 100 yards, tossed a pick and was sacked four times. Not exactly that “Welcome back” Jackson expected to receive.

Last week: Unranked

11. Brandon Peters, Illinois

Last week vs. Rutgers: 6-of-11, 120 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

Earlier this season, Illinois’ offense relied heavily on Peters’ arm to get the offense moving. Recently, that hasn’t been the case. Peters hasn’t completed more than 9 passes in a game since Sept. 14 against Eastern Michigan. And yet, the Illini are finding ways to win. The key has been, though, that Peters has three touchdown passes with no interceptions during the team’s three-game winning streak.

Last week: No. 9

10. Adrian Martinez, Nebraska

Last week vs. Purdue: 22-of-39, 247 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT

It’s safe to say that Martinez is in a sophomore slump right now. The combination of poor offensive line play and the injury bug has undoubtedly hampered Martinez’s ability to be that dynamic playmaker at quarterback. He was the leading passer and rusher against Purdue, scoring two touchdowns on the ground, but something just seemed off. His decision-making wasn’t all that great for a second-year starter.

Last week: Unranked

9. Jack Plummer, Purdue

Last week vs. Nebraska: 25-of-34, 242 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

This will be probably be the last time Plummer makes our list. The former backup quarterback suffered a potential season-ending ankle injury in the win over Nebraska. But he didn’t exit before accounting for over 300 of Purdue’s 450 yards on Saturday. He’s been solid filling in for Elijah Sindelar all season.

Last week: No. 8

8. Brian Lewerke, Michigan State

Last week: OFF

Lewerke and the Michigan State offense test their luck against Illinois on Saturday. We’ll see if the Spartans can finally get some points on the board this week.

Last week: No. 7

7. Jack Coan, Wisconsin

Last week: OFF

From one big game to the next. After getting smacked around by Ohio State two weeks ago, Coan gets a full week of rest to prepare for a really good Iowa defense. It’ll be interesting to see how he bounces back.

Last week: No. 6

6. Michael Penix Jr, Indiana

Last week vs. Northwestern: 10-of-15, 162 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

When Penix is in the game, Indiana’s offense is one of the best in the B1G. He runs well, he can stretch the field and he makes every throw look effortless. Penix could potentially be higher on this list, but nagging injuries have kept him sidelined for a good portion of the season. The Hoosiers get two weeks off before a tough stretch against Penn State, Michigan and Purdue. If Penix plays, IU has a shot.

Last week: Unranked

5. Nate Stanley, Iowa

Last week: OFF

The knock against Stanley through his entire career is he hasn’t been able to consistently win big games. He gets a chance to do that, and keep Iowa in the B1G West race this weekend against Wisconsin.

Last week: No. 5

4. Shea Patterson, Michigan

Last week vs. Maryland: 13-of-22, 151 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT

Over the last three weeks, Patterson hasn’t put up eye-popping numbers, but the senior quarterback has appeared more healthy and more in-tune with the offensive game plan. It’s not surprising that Michigan’s offense has looked much more crisp during that span. It will be interesting to see the kind of workload he gets in an important three-game stretch against Michigan State, Indiana and Ohio State to close out his career.

Last week: No. 4

3. Tanner Morgan, Minnesota

Last week: OFF

No question, Penn State has the best defense Morgan has seen all year. How will he handle the pressure from the Nittany Lions’ front seven, and will he be able to get the ball to his receivers regularly are the two big questions.

Last week: No. 3

2. Sean Clifford, Penn State

Last week: OFF

Clifford has already proven himself in games against Pitt, Iowa and Michigan, but a trip to the Twin Cities to take on an undefeated Minnesota team should be another interesting test for the first-year starter.

Last week: No. 2

1. Justin Fields, Ohio State

Last week: OFF

Don’t expect this kid to move off the No. 1 line over the next two weeks. Fields and the Ohio State offense should have no trouble carving up Maryland and Rutgers.

Last week: No. 1