by Sean Szymczak
Just when we thought the Big Ten West race was getting juicy, the entire division decided they were better off letting Iowa be the ones to get their skulls beat in by the Big Ten East champ.
Michigan State, Indiana, and Illinois pulled off huge upsets over Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Minnesota to make the Hawkeyes’ path to Indy much easier. But there is still one other team that controls their own destiny: Nebraska.
I think every Big Ten fan has to be thankful that Washington, USC, Oregon, and UCLA are coming to save our reputation. Because the majority of Big Ten football games have become largely unwatchable. Sure, there is some great defense throughout this conference. But there is also just as much coaching ineptitude and poor QB play.
Need an example? Iowa vs Northwestern at Wrigley Field wasn’t even one of the top 5 highest scoring games played on that field this season. And there weren’t any other football games played there.
That isn’t to say all low-scoring games equal poor quality of football. But in the case of the Big Ten West, it absolutely is the case.
Nonetheless, we need to move onto our week 11 power rankings. And what a doozy it was to put these together. Outside of the top 5, how do you even start to make sense of the jumbled mess of objectively bad football teams? Well, I gave it my best shot.
The Floor Slap’s Week 11 Power Rankings
1) Michigan (9-0, 6-0 B1G)
Last Week: 1
Week 10 Result: W 41-13 vs Purdue
Another week of the cheaters dominating. After nine games, we FINALLY get to learn exactly how good this team is when they travel to Penn State.
Up Next: Michigan (-4.5) vs Penn State, Saturday at 12pm EST on FOX
2) Ohio State (9-0, 6-0 B1G)
Last Week: 2
Week 10 Result: W 35-16 at Rutgers
Ohio State trailed Rutgers 9-7 at halftime and I think Kyle McCord only threw four passes the entire game that traveled more than 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. Two were drops, one was an interception, and the other was a TD. Thank God Treveyon Henderson was back for the Buckeyes, as he was essentially their entire offense. But as ugly as the win was, their defense remains as dominant as any in the country and can keep them in any game against any opponent. It’s all about gearing up for the finale against Michigan now.
Up Next: Michigan State vs Ohio State (-31.5), Saturday at 7:30pm EST on NBC
3) Penn State (9-0, 6-0 B1G)
Last Week: 3
Week 10 Result: W 51-15 at Maryland
Has Drew Allar finally been unlocked? The Nittany Lions put together their most complete game of the season against the spiraling Terps and seem as ready as ever to take down the Wolverines.
Up Next: Michigan vs Penn State (+4.5), Saturday at 12pm EST on FOX
4) Rutgers (6-3, 3-3 B1G)
Last Week: L 16-35 vs Ohio State
Before Jordan Hancock’s 90-yard pick six, it really felt like Rutgers was in position to pull off the biggest upset of the college football season. There are no moral victories in football, but the Scarlet Knights have played both Michigan and Ohio State well into the second half. They travel to Iowa this weekend in a game in which both teams are likely to struggle to reach double digits. But if Wimsatt can make good decisions, there’s no reason why Rutgers can’t pull off the upset.
Up Next: Rutgers (+2) vs Iowa, Saturday at 3:30pm EST on BTN
5) Iowa (7-2, 4-2 B1G)
Last Week: 5
Week 10 Result: W 10-7 vs Northwestern
There’s something poetic yet simultaneously nauseating about Big Ten West football. Iowa and Northwestern combined for 339 total yards, 10-29 on 3rd down, and 2.9 yards per play. But the Hawkeyes saved their best drive of the day (a whomping 37-yard drive) to set up the game-winning FG. As horrible as that entire division is, Iowa has the most consistent defense and does the best job of taking care of the football.
Up Next: Rutgers vs Iowa (-2), Saturday at 3:30pm EST on BTN
6) Northwestern (4-5, 2-4 B1G)
Last Week: 9
Week 10 Result: L 7-10 vs Iowa
How can anyone even attempt to make sense of the Big Ten behind the top 5? It’s littered with deeply flawed teams that can’t consistently move the ball. There isn’t much separation at all between teams ranked 6-11 here. But I’ll roll with the team who is outperforming their talent level more than perhaps any team in the Power 5. Bryce Gallagher & Xander Mueller at LB and Devin Turner & Coco Azema in the secondary are more than making up for their undersized defensive front. The Wildcats finish with Wisconsin, Purdue, and Illinois – everything between 4-8 and 7-5 is on the table for David Braun and his squad.
Up Next: Northwestern (+10.5) vs Wisconsin, Saturday at 3:30pm EST on FS1
7) Minnesota (5-4, 3-3 B1G)
Last Week: 7
Week 10 Result: L 26-27 vs Illinois
The Gophers lost their grip on the Big Ten West and this debacle falls squarely on the shoulders of the coaches. How they let a receiver get behind them with under a minute left when Illinois needed a touchdown is beyond me. Offensively, they remain abundantly predictable in the ground game and have been incapable of getting their best playmakers – namely Brevyn Spann-Ford – the ball. With a road trip to Columbus still on the schedule, Minnesota will likely need Iowa to drop two of their final three games to have a chance at winning the West.
Up Next: Minnesota (EVEN) vs Purdue, Saturday at 3:30pm EST on NBC
8) Wisconsin (5-4, 4-4 B1G)
Last Week: 6
Week 10 Result: L 20-14 at Indiana
The Badgers reached a new low under Luke Fickell. Braelon Allen was missed dearly, as they mustered just 101 rush yards on 3.6 yards per carry. After a nice drive to open the second half and get the game to within 3, their offense simply lose their pulse. On their final five drives of the game, Wisconsin mustered 107 total yards on under 4 yards per play, fumbled twice, and turned it over on downs. Injuries have piled up for this team, but the inconsistency across their offensive line and in the back-end of their defense has been a massive issue all season long.
Up Next: Northwestern vs Wisconsin (-10.5), Saturday at 3:30pm EST on FS1
9) Illinois (4-5, 2-4 B1G)
Last Week: 11
Week 10 Result: W 27-26 at Minnesota
Had Illinois not collapsed late against Wisconsin a few weeks ago, Illinois would somehow be in control of their own destiny in the West. Their offense has finally come alive over their past three weeks thanks to a rejuvenated pass attack. But all hope seemed lost when Altmyer got knocked out of the game before a 4th & 11 deep in their own territory, down 5 with 2:47 left in the game. But John Paddock came in to put together one of the most magical drives you’ll see all season long. He went 3-3 for 85 yards and the game-winning TD when he found Isaiah Williams behind the defense with under a minute left. Of all the teams in the West, Illinois is at least the most fun to watch.
Up Next: Indiana vs Illinois (-6.5), Saturday at 12pm EST on BTN
10) Nebraska (5-4, 3-3 B1G)
Last Week: 8
Week 10 Result: L 17-20 at Michigan State
It really seems like no one wants to challenge Iowa for the West crown. Sure, there was a bad no-call where Angelo Grose essentially tackled Malachi Coleman on a deep ball. But that ball was probably uncatchable anyway – as most Haarberg deep shots are. It was three turnovers that ultimately sunk the Huskers’ comeback anyway. But believe it or not, Nebraska is still in control of their own destiny because they finish the season against Iowa at home. Former 4-star QB Chubba Purdy appears to be back and healthy. Maybe it’s time to give him some snaps and see what he can do?
Up Next: Maryland vs Nebraska (+2.5), Saturday at 12pm EST on Peacock
11) Maryland (5-4, 2-4 B1G)
Last Week: 10
Week 10 Result: L 15-51 vs Penn State
This season has gotten away from Mike Locksley in a hurry. There hasn’t been much positive at all since halftime of the Ohio State game. They finish the season with Nebraska, Michigan, and Rutgers. There is a real possibility this Terp team – one I thought could sniff 10 wins in the preseason – doesn’t even make a bowl game.
Up Next: Maryland (-2.5) vs Nebraska, Saturday at 12pm EST on Peacock
12) Indiana (3-6, 1-5 B1G)
Last Week: 13
Week 10 Result: W 20-14 vs Wisconsin
I have been particularly hard on Tom Allen going back to before the season even started. But I have to give him credit where it’s due – the way Indiana has played over the past two weeks has been really impressive given the spiral they were on. A lot of this turnaround has to do with the improvement and maturity from QB Brendan Sorsby. Over the past two weeks, Sorsby is 32-50 for 455 yards, 5 total TDs, and just 1 turnover. Anything seems possible in this clown show of a conference. With games against Illinois, Michigan State, and Purdue to close the season, a bowl birth is not out of the question for the Hoosiers.
Up Next: Indiana (+6.5) vs Illinois, 12pm EST on BTN
13) Michigan State (3-6, 1-5 B1G)
Last Week: 14
Week 10 Result: W 20-17 vs Nebraska
The Spartan defensive front wreaked havoc on the Huskers all day long, tallying 7 sacks and 12 TFLs. The run game is still not mustering much, but Michigan State was finally able to connect on some big plays. Unfortunately, that’s not a recipe that can keep their game against Ohio State close.
Up Next: Michigan State (+31.5) vs Ohio State, Saturday at 7:30pm EST on NBC
14) Purdue (2-7, 1-5 B1G)
Last Week: 12
Week 10 Result: L 13-41 at Michigan
I’ve been preaching patience for Ryan Walters as he tries to navigate his first season with a team that lost a ton of talent from last season. But even my confidence is starting to waiver. But on the bright side, they did cover against Michigan! With a bowl appearance officially off the table, maybe the Boilermakers can play a little looser in these final three games and get some positive momentum heading into next season.
Up Next: Minnesota vs Purdue (EVEN), Saturday at 3:30pm EST on NBC