Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, November 23, 2014
Ohio State remains atop my latest Big Ten Power Rankings, presented by ArcelorMittal, with Michigan State and Wisconsin in hot pursuit. Nebraska takes a dip, while Northwestern rises. And we have a new team in the cellar.
Here are my latest power rankings.
1. Ohio State (10-1, 7-1). It wasn?t pretty from start to finish, but the Buckeyes topped Indiana to clinch the East. Playoff hopes remain alive.
Last week: 1
Up next: Michigan
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2. Michigan State (9-2, 6-1). The Spartans have looked impressive in the last two games after that home loss to Ohio State. This team is finishing strong.
Last week: 2
Up next: at Penn State
3. Wisconsin (9-2, 6-1). The Badgers have won six in a row and seemingly get better each week. Melvin Gordon is chasing history.
Last week: 3
Up next: Minnesota
4. Minnesota (8-3, 5-2). The Golden Gophers just find a way to get it done. One more victory, and Minnesota will be in the Big Ten title game. Amazing.
Last week: 5
Up next: at Wisconsin
5. Nebraska (8-3, 4-3). The Cornhuskers have lost consecutive conference games for the first time since 2009. Is another four-loss season looming?
Last week: 4
Up next: at Iowa (Nov. 28)
6. Maryland (7-4, 4-3). The Terps have a good shot to finish 5-3 in the Big Ten in their debut. Impressive work by Randy Edsall.
Last week: 6
Up next: Rutgers
7. Iowa (7-4, 4-3). The inconsistent Hawkeyes still haven?t beaten a team that has a winning record. They'll get another shot Friday afternoon.
Last week: 7
Up next: Nebraska (Nov. 28)
8. Northwestern (5-6, 3-4). The offense has come alive with 81 points the last two games. This team was 3-6 at one point. Win one more, and NU is going bowling.
Last week: 11
Up next: Illinois
9. Penn State (6-5, 2-5). The offense continues to confound; PSU hasn?t scored over 19 points in regulation in any Big Ten game this season.
Last week: 8
Up next: Michigan State
10. Rutgers (6-5, 2-5). That?s four losses in five games for the Scarlet Knights. In the last two defeats, RU has a total of three points.
Last week: 9
Up next: at Maryland
POWER RANKINGS PRESENTED BY | |
11. Michigan (5-6, 3-4). The Wolverines must win at Ohio State to become bowl eligible vs. a Buckeye squad that has won 23 Big Ten regular-season games in a row.
Last week: 10
Up next: at Ohio State
12. Illinois (5-6, 2-5). The late win vs. Penn State means the Illini are one win from earning a bowl spot.
Last week: 13
Up next: at Northwestern
13. Indiana (3-8, 0-7). The Hoosiers battled valiantly at Ohio State but still lost their sixth in a row. But Tevin Coleman has been fun to watch.
Last week: 14
Up next: Purdue
14. Purdue (3-8, 1-6). Coming off a bye, the Boilers hoped to finish strong. Alas, they got clobbered at home by Northwestern, 38-14, and have lost five in a row.
Last week: 12
Up next: at Indiana
About Tom Dienhart | BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section. |
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