by Sean Szymczak
For the first time in the history of The Game, Ohio State and Michigan will both enter their matchup undefeated in consecutive years (barring a monumental upset this weekend). That tells you how great these two programs are, as well as how mediocre the rest of the conference has been playing.
Iowa is a win away from clinching the West, but John Paddock (the new GOAT?) stands in their way this weekend. If the Illini can pull of that upset, they are still alive along with Nebraska and Minnesota. Sitting at 5-5 and still having a shot to win your division can only happen in the West.
Penn State’s offense was so anemic against Michigan that Mike Yurcich didn’t stay their OC for even 24 hours after the game ended.
The top 6 remains the same and Illinois cracks the top half for the first time this season after a fun week 11 in the Big Ten. But the bottom half of the conference is… just read ahead to find out for yourself.
The Floor Slap’s Week 12 Big Ten Power Rankings
1) Michigan (10-0, 7-0 B1G)
Last Week: 1
Week 11 Result: W 24-15 at Penn State
Michigan beat Penn State is convincing fashion, but the gap between them and Ohio State is closing. It was impressive for them to be able to run the ball 32 straight times against a top-10 team and still emerge with a win. But after an Allar fumble on their opening possession of the 2nd half set Michigan up in plus territory which ended in a field goal, the Wolverines mustered just 82 yards the rest of the game. Their defensive line was disruptive, but they managed just four plays behind the line of scrimmage. It was a great win, don’t get me wrong. But I think the national narrative is overstating Michigan’s dominance by a bit.
Up Next: Michigan (-19.5) vs Maryland, Saturday at 12pm EST on FOX
2) Ohio State (10-0, 7-0 B1G)
Last Week: 2
Week 11 Result: W 38-3 vs Michigan State
The Buckeye offense is finally fully healthy and they are clicking at the perfect time. Treveyon Henderson, Marvin Harrison Jr, and Cade Stover are the nation’s best RB/WR/TE trio in all of college football. When protected, Kyle McCord is one of the nation’s best at putting the ball exactly where it needs to be. This defense continues to be smothering while simultaneously eliminating big plays from the opposition. Ohio State is better equipped to beat Michigan than they have been the past two seasons. November 25th can’t come soon enough.
Up Next: Minnesota vs Ohio State (-27.5), Saturday at 4pm EST on BTN
3) Penn State (8-2, 5-2 B1G)
Last Week: 3
Week 11 Result: L 15-24 vs Michigan
I came out of Saturday believing Penn State has the best defense in the entire country. That only makes their offensive woes even more painful for Nittany Lion fans. Drew Allar has certainly underperformed given the lofty preseason expectations. But the offense’s struggles are more than just his fault. He lacks an elite receiver – or really any receiver who can consistently get open or win 1:1 matchups. Mike Yurcich’s scheme has been perplexing and downright painful to watch all season. And the run game has yet to even scratch last season’s production. This is still a very good football team. But Penn State fans were expecting a great team this season.
Up Next: Rutgers vs Penn State (-17.5), Saturday at 12pm on FS1
4) Iowa (8-2, 5-2 B1G)
Last Week: 5
Week 11 Result: W 22-0 vs Rutgers
Iowa had their most impressive win of the season on Saturday, shutting out Rutgers and topping 400 total yards for the first time in what seems like a decade. They possessed the ball for over 38 minutes, grinded out 179 rush yards, and Deacon Hill was relatively careful with the football. They are now a win away from clinching the final Big Ten West crown – a phenomenal feat given the chatter around this team, offense, and coaching staff all season long.
Up Next: Illinois vs Iowa (-3.5), Saturday at 3:30pm EST on FS1
5) Rutgers (6-4, 3-4 B1G)
Last Week: 4
Week 11 Result: L 0-22 at Iowa
Any Rutgers fan would have signed up for a 6-4 record entering their final two games before the season started. But one can’t help but feel disappointed in their performance on Saturday. Their predictable offense mustered just 1.5 yards per carry and Gavin Wimsatt finished the game 0-8 passing with an INT. They kept the game close, trailing just 3-0 at halftime. But after getting stuffed on a 3rd & 1 in Iowa territory on their first possession of the 2nd half, the Scarlet Knights netted -15 yards the rest of the game. Saturday was simply a painful reminder for Rutgers fans that they are still an entire offense away from being a real player in the Big Ten.
Up Next: Rutgers (+17.5) vs Penn State, Saturday at 12pm on FS1
6) Northwestern (5-5, 3-4 B1G)
Last Week: 6
Week 11 Result: W 24-10 at Wisconsin
Remove that tag, Northwestern! David Braun is my favorite for Big Ten Coach of the Year after Northwestern thrashed Wisconsin on the road. The Wildcats scored on their first four possessions to take a 24-3 lead into halftime and they hung on the rest of the game. They converted their first ten 3rd downs of the game and completely shut down the Badger rushing attack in the first half. Even though they didn’t score in the second half, their ability to kill clock made Wisconsin abandon the run. Despite being picked last in the West in the preseason by everyone and their mothers (including yours truly), Northwestern is somehow a win away from bowl eligibility. This is one of the best stories in all of college football.
Up Next: Purdue vs Northwestern (-1.5), Saturday at 12pm EST on BTN
7) Illinois (5-5, 3-4 B1G)
Last Week: 9
Week 11 Result: W 48-34 OT vs Indiana
Who pegged Indiana vs Illinois to be the game of the year in the Big Ten? John Paddock might get his jersey retired after what he’s done in the past two games. He topped off his miraculous comeback against Minnesota with one of the most prolific passing days in Illinois football history. He went 24/36 for 507 yards and 4 TDs and the team gained over 660 total yards on the day. Paddock needed a TD to win the game in OT and delivered in on the second play of the drive, as he extended the play and rolled out right to deliver a strike to Isaiah Williams (who is quietly having an All-Big Ten season). Illinois once sat at 2-4 with their season spiraling, but now they are an upset vs Iowa away from jumping right back into the thick of the Big Ten West race. Their road trip to Kinnick this weekend is easily the game of the week in the conference.
Up Next: Illinois (+3.5) vs Iowa, Saturday at 3:30pm EST on FS1
8) Maryland (6-4, 3-4 B1G)
Last Week: 11
Week 11 Result: W 13-10 at Nebraska
It wasn’t pretty, but the Terps stopped their four-game skid and are going bowling for their third consecutive season – their first time doing so since 2006-08. Maryland still has same problems that have plagued them all season long, particularly in the trenches. But they turned Nebraska over five times and Taulia led a clutch 75-yard drive to set up the game-winning field goal. They have as tough of a matchup as possible this weekend when Michigan comes to town. But Ohio State & Michigan both almost lost their games before the finale last year. Maybe the Terps can catch the Wolverines napping again.
Up Next: Michigan vs Maryland (+19.5), Saturday at 12pm EST on FOX
9) Minnesota (5-5, 3-4 B1G)
Last Week: 7
Week 11 Result: L 30-49 at Purdue
A Gopher defense that has been inconsistent (to say the least) all season long reached a new low point, giving up 49 points and over 600 yards to an offense that had been averaging 12 points and 266 yards over their previous four games. Athan Kaliakmanis finally delivered a few big plays, albeit against the worst statistical defense in the Big Ten. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Nebraska can be put into their own tier of “don’t deserve to be bowl eligible but at least one of them somehow will be.”
Up Next: Minnesota (+27.5) vs Ohio State, Saturday at 4pm EST on BTN
10) Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4 B1G)
Last Week: 8
Week 11 Result: L 10-24 vs Northwestern
Growing pains are to be expected with any coaching regime change, but especially when there are as many philosophical changes as Luke Fickell has installed on both sides of the ball. But this is a new low point. The Badgers put up absolutely no fight against Northwestern. With games against Nebraska and Minnesota to finish the season, a 5-7 record seems just as likely as 7-5. Neither meet the expectations fans had for Fickell’s first season, but the leaders on this team need to do everything in their power to make sure this season doesn’t go completely sideways and they some semblance of positive momentum heading into 2024.
Up Next: Nebraska vs Wisconsin (-6.5), Saturday at 7:30pm EST on NBC
11) Nebraska (5-5, 3-4 B1G)
Last Week: 10
Week 11 Result: L 10-13 vs Maryland
Another week, another dominant performance by the Blackshirt defense ruined by a woeful offensive performance. Marcus Satterfield might be looking for a new job after just one season with the Huskers. His decision to have Purdy throw the ball on 3rd & goal when a field goal would have given them the lead with about 3:30 left in the game was illogical and unforgivable. As you might’ve expected, Purdy threw a horrible interception which set up Maryland’s game-winning drive. Even so, a bowl appearance (and win) was the goal for this team coming into the season. That is still very much alive.
Up Next: Nebraska (+6.5) vs Wisconsin, Saturday at 7:30pm EST on NBC
12) Purdue (3-7, 2-5 B1G)
Last Week: 14
Week 11 Result: W 49-30 vs Minnesota
Purdue was out of bowl eligibility at the very beginning of November and on the heels of four straight losses in which they lost by over 21 points per game. Not exactly the season Boiler fans signed up for. But being out of contention for the postseason seemed to have taken a load off this team. Hudson Card and this offensive line had by far their best performance of the season. Their 49 points was the most Purdue has scored in a Big Ten game in 5 years. With games remaining against Northwestern and Indiana, there is plenty opportunity for Ryan Walters to carry positive momentum into his second season.
Up Next: Purdue (+1.5) vs Northwestern, Saturday at 12pm EST on BTN
13) Indiana (3-7, 1-6 B1G)
Last Week: 12
Week 11 Result: L 45-48 OT at Illinois
This was a painful loss for the Hoosiers who were still looking to get to a bowl game. Brendan Sorsby has undoubtedly elevated this offense and is the leader of this team. His 6-play, 85-yard TD drive in just over a minute to force OT was perhaps the most exciting Indiana football moment since 2020. But this defense continues to perplex me with its inconsistency. Tom Allen should stick around for at least another season (mainly because of his buyout should they let him walk), but 2024 seems like a “bowl or bust” season for him.
Up Next: Michigan State vs Indiana (-4.5), Saturday at 12pm EST on BTN
14) Michigan State (3-7, 1-6 B1G)
Last Week: 13
Week 11 Result: L 3-38 at Ohio State
The Spartans were simply overmatched Saturday night in Columbus. The fact that they are clear underdogs against Indiana says all you need to know about how this season has gone. Spartan fans can only hope this program makes the right hire this off-season. Until then, focus on basketball.
Up Next: Michigan State (+4.5) vs Indiana, Saturday at 12pm EST on BTN