Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 10 recap

Find Week 9’s rankings here.

1. (1) Ohio State (8-0), BYE, Next Week: vs. Maryland

The Buckeyes were one of six Big Ten teams with a bye this week. Through ten weeks, Ohio State has the best scoring defense in the country (7.9 pts/game) and leads the Big Ten in points scored per game with 48.3. First year head coach Ryan Day has been a more than capable replacement for Urban Meyer through eight games.

2. (2) Penn State (8-0), BYE, Next Week: at No. 13 Minnesota

After a week off, the Nittany Lions travel to play No. 13 Minnesota this weekend. James Franklin’s team has an impressive resume with road wins at Iowa and Michigan State, as well as a home win over Michigan.

3. (3) Minnesota (8-0), BYE, Next Week: vs. No. 5 Penn St.

The Golden Gophers had a bye in Week 10 as they get ready to host No. 5 Penn State this weekend in one of the most anticipated games in recent program history. Minnesota is 8-0 for the first time since 1941 and control their own destiny in the Big Ten West.

4. (4) Wisconsin (6-2), BYE, Next Week: vs. No. 18 Iowa

Wisconsin was also off on Saturday. The Badgers, losers of two straight, will look to get back in the win column against No. 18 Iowa this weekend. Wisconsin has won six of the past seven meetings between the two Big Ten West rivals.

5. (5) Michigan (7-2), W - 38-7 at Maryland, Next Week: BYE

The Wolverines took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown and never looked back, defeating Maryland 38-7 in College Park. Michigan’s defense shut down the Terrapins, as they allowed only 104 passing yards and forced Maryland into converting just four of 16 third down attempts. The Wolverines head into a bye week with some momentum after back to back wins, including a blowout victory over Notre Dame.

6. (6) Iowa (6-2), BYE, Next Week: at No. 16 Wisconsin

After a bye in Week 10, the Hawkeyes turn their attention to No. 16 Wisconsin this coming weekend. Iowa will come into Camp Randall with the third best scoring defense in the nation (10.1 pts/game) but will need a big game from quarterback Nate Stanley to be competitive on the road.

7. (7) Indiana (7-2), W 34-3 vs. Northwestern, Next Week: BYE

The Hoosiers have been a great story this season and secured a seven-win season for the first time since 2007 with their 34-3 victory over Northwestern. Running back Stevie Scott III ran all over the Wildcats for 116 yards and found the end zone three times (two rushing, one receiving). Indiana has two reliable quarterbacks in Michael Penix Jr. and Peyton Ramsey, as both signal callers played and threw for a combined 270 yards in the win.

8. (8) Michigan State (4-4), BYE, Next Week: vs. Illinois

The Spartans were on a bye in Week 10. After facing three straight top-10 ranked teams, the schedule eases up for Sparty down the stretch starting with a home matchup against Illinois this weekend. The Spartans also have games against Rutgers and Maryland in the coming weeks.

9. (9) Illinois (5-4), W - 38-10 vs. Rutgers, Next Week: at Michigan St.

Illinois had a pick six for the second straight game and forced two fumbles in a 38-10 blowout win over Rutgers. The Illini will look to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2014 with a win at Michigan State this weekend.

10. (11) Purdue (3-6), W - 31-27 vs. Nebraska, Next Week: at Northwestern

The Boilermakers gutted out a 31-27 win over Nebraska on Saturday. Quarterback Jack Plummer threw for 242 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions before leaving the game with a season-ending ankle injury in the fourth quarter. With Purdue down 27-24 late in the fourth, backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell led the Boilermakers on a game-winning 82 yard touchdown drive. Jeff Brohm’s team has been decimated by injuries this season but the Boilermakers have to be feeling good after a hard fought win like that.

11. (10) Nebraska (4-5), L - 31-27 at Purdue, Next Week: BYE

A disappointing season got worse for the Cornhuskers, as they fell 31-27 at Purdue in Week 10. Quarterback Adrian Martinez returned from his injury to throw for 247 yards and rush for a team-high 58 yards and two touchdowns. Nebraska’s defense couldn’t hold up in the end, as they allowed a 12-play, 82 yard game-winning touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter. The Cornhuskers are at serious risk of missing out on a bowl game in 2019.

12. (12) Maryland (3-6), L - 38-7 vs. No. 14 Michigan, Next Week: at No. 3 Ohio St.

The Terrapins were completely overmatched in their 38-7 home loss to Michigan. Quarterback Josh Jackson started his first game since week six and threw for only 97 yards and an interception in the loss. After a strong start to the season, the Terrapins are in free fall right now, having lost six of seven games.

13. (13) Northwestern (1-7), L - 34-3 at Indiana, Next Week: vs. Purdue

A disastrous season for the Wildcats continued in Week 10, as they fell 34-3 at Indiana. The Hoosiers forced three fumbles and held Northwestern to just 199 total yards. Through ten weeks, Northwestern’s offense is dead last in the FBS in points per game with 9.8. After winning the Big Ten West last season, the Wildcats have crashed back down to earth and have a realistic shot at going winless in conference play.

14. (14) Rutgers (2-7), L - 38-10 at Illinois, Next Week: BYE

The Scarlet Knights remained winless in the Big Ten after a 38-10 road loss at Illinois on Saturday. The Illini forced two fumbles and had a pick six pick, as Rutgers’ offense could only muster 86 passing yards. The Scarlet Knights are far and away the worst team in the Big Ten and head into a bye week having lost seven of their past eight games.