The epic showdown between Ohio State and Penn State followed by the tunnel “brawl” between Michigan and Michigan State dominated headlines from another weekend of Big Ten football. Rightfully so, as the other games were largely snoozers.
Illinois went to Lincoln and disposed of Nebraska behind an incredibly efficient Tommy DeVito, a great-as-always Chase Brown, and another stellar defensive performance. Minnesota shutout Rutgers and seemed to have gotten its running game back on track. And Iowa’s offense found its pulse in a dominant win against the helpless Northwestern Wildcats.
There isn’t much movement in this week’s power rankings, but read along anyway!
1) Ohio State (8-0, 5-0 BIG)
Last Week: 1
Week 9 Result: W 44-31 at Penn State
Offensive Player of the Game: WR Marvin Harrison Jr (10 catches, 185 yards)
Defensive Player of the Game: DE JT Juimoloau (6 tackles, 3 solo, 2 sacks, 3 TFLs, 2 INT, TD, PBU, QB Hurry)
Up Next: at Northwestern
2) Michigan (8-0, 5-0 BIG)
Last Week: 2
Week 9 Result: W 29-7 vs Michigan State
Offensive Player of the Game: RB Blake Corum (33 carries, 177 yards, TD, receiving TD)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Junior Colson (10 tackles, 4 solo, TFL)
Up Next: at Rutgers
3) Illinois (7-1, 4-1 BIG)
Last Week: 4
Week 9 Result: W 26-9 at Nebraska
Offensive Player of the Game: QB Tommy DeVito (20/22, 179 yards, 2 TDs, 37 rush yards)
Defensive Player of the Game: S Sydney Brown (6 tackles, 4 solo, 1.5 TFLs, 2 INT)
Up Next: vs Michigan State
4) Penn State (6-2, 3-2 BIG)
Last Week: 3
Week 9 Result: L 31-44 vs Ohio State
Offensive Player of the Game: WR Parker Washington (11 catches, 179 yards, TD)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Abdul Carter (4 tackles, 3 solo, sack, TFL, QB Hurry)
Up Next: at Indiana
5) Maryland (6-2, 3-2 BIG)
Last Week: 5
Week 9 Result: BYE
Offensive Player of the Game: N/A
Defensive Player of the Game: N/A
Up Next: at Wisconsin
6) Purdue (5-3, 3-2 BIG)
Last Week: 6
Week 9 Result: BYE
Offensive Player of the Game: N/A
Defensive Player of the Game: N/A
Up Next: vs Iowa
7) Wisconsin (4-4, 2-3 BIG)
Last Week: 11
Week 9 Result: BYE
Offensive Player of the Game: N/A
Defensive Player of the Game: N/A
Up Next: vs Maryland
8) Minnesota (5-3, 3-2 BIG)
Last Week: 8
Week 9 Result: W 31-0 vs Rutgers
Offensive Player of the Game: RB Mohamed Ibrahim (36 carries, 159 yds, 3 TDs)
Defensive Player of the Game: S Tyler Nubin (3 tackles, 3 solo, 2 INT)
Up Next: at Nebraska
9) Iowa (4-4, 2-3 BIG)
Last Week: 9
Week 9 Result: W 33-13 vs Northwestern
Offensive Player of the Game: QB Spencer Petras (21-30, 220 yds, TD)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Seth Benson (6 tackles, 4 solo, sack, 1.5 TFLs)
Up Next: at Purdue
10) Nebraska (3-4, 2-2 BIG)
Last Week: 10
Week 9 Result: L 9-26 vs Illinois
Offensive Player of the Game: RB Anthony Grant (12 carries, 61 yards, 27 receiving yards)
Defensive Player of the Game: CB Quinton Newsome (4 tackles, 2 solo, sack, 2.5 TFLs)
Up Next: vs Minnesota
11) Michigan State (3-5, 1-4 BIG)
Last Week: 11
Week 9 Result: L 7-29 at Michigan
Offensive Player of the Game: WR Keon Coleman (5 rec, 155 yds, TD)
Defensive Player of the Game: CB Kendell Brooks (11 tackles, 8 solo, 3 TFLs)
Up Next: at Illinois
12) Rutgers (4-4, 1-4 BIG)
Last Week: 12
Week 9 Result: L 0-31 at Minnesota
Offensive Player of the Game: Undeserved (134 total yards, 3.2 yards per play, 3 turnovers)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Tyreem Powell (8 tackles, 4 solo, .5 TFL)
Up Next: at Minnesota
13) Indiana (3-5, 1-4 BIG)
Last Week: 13
Week 9 Result: BYE
Offensive Player of the Game: N/A
Defensive Player of the Game: N/A
Up Next: vs Penn State
14) Northwestern (1-7, 1-4 BIG)
Last Week: 14
Week 8 Result: L 13-33 at Iowa
Offensive Player of the Game: Undeserved (159 total yards, 2.7 yards per play, turnover)
Defensive Player of the Game: LB Xander Mueller (9 tackles, 6 solo, sack, 2.5 TFLs)
Up Next: vs Ohio State
