Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, November 27, 2016
The Buckeyes showed why they are the best team in the Big Ten by knocking off Michigan ? again. But OSU won?t be going to the Big Ten title game. Instead, it will be Wisconsin vs. Penn State in Indianapolis next Saturday.
[btn-post-package-v2]
Get my latest Big Ten Power Rankings, presented by ArcelorMittal, below.
1. Ohio State (11-1, 8-1). It took two overtimes, but the Buckeyes showed their grit in grinding out a win vs. Michigan. Now, will OSU make the playoff?
Last week: 1
Up next: Bowl/playoff
2. Wisconsin (10-2, 7-2). The Badgers are headed to their fourth Big Ten title game, more than any other program.
Last week: 3
Up next: vs. Penn State, Big Ten title game
3. Michigan (10-2, 7-2). The Wolverines will have to wait another year to try to win the program?s first Big Ten title since 2004.
Last week: 2
Up next: Bowl/playoff
4. Penn State (10-2, 8-1). The amazing rise of the Nittany Lions continues, as Penn State is headed to the Big Ten title game. Incredible.
Last week: 4
Up next: vs. Wisconsin, Big Ten title game
5. Iowa (8-4, 6-3). The Hawkeyes ended the season with a flurry, winning their last three with a dominating defense that allowed just two TDs over that span.
Last week: 6
Up next: Bowl
6. Nebraska (9-3, 6-3). The Huskers are 9-3. But they went 2-3 in their last five games and got thumped 40-10 at Iowa to close the regular season.
Last week: 5
Up next: Bowl
7. Minnesota (8-4, 5-4). The Golden Gophers lost two of their last three games, falling to Wisconsin for a 13th time in a row.
Last week: 7
Up next: Bowl
8. Northwestern (6-6, 5-4). The Wildcats won two of their last three games to become bowl eligible a season after winning 10 games.
Last week: 8
Up next: Bowl
9. Indiana (6-6, 4-5). The Hoosiers are going to back-to-back bowls for the first time since 1990 and 1991. Take a bow, Kevin Wilson.
Last week: 9
Up next: Bowl
10. Maryland (6-6, 3-6). The Terps punched their bowl ticket with a win vs. Rutgers. The future looks bright under DJ Durkin.
Last week: 10
Up next: Bowl
11. Illinois (3-9, 2-7). The Fighting Illini ended the season with three losses in a row, as Lovie Smith still has work to do.
Last week: 11
Up next: Season over
12. Michigan State (3-9, 1-8). A disappointing season came to an end. Time to put 2016 in the past and focus on getting back on track in 2017.
Last week: 12
Up next: Season over
13. Purdue (3-9, 1-8). Mercifully, the season is over for the Boilermakers, who can look forward to a new beginning with a soon-to-be-hired coach.
Last week: 13
Up next: Season over
14. Rutgers (2-10, 0-9). The Scarlet Knights finished as the only Big Ten team without a league win. Offense, defense, there is a lot of work to do for RU.
Last week: 14
Up next: Season over