Big Ten Power Rankings Week 8: Purdue and Maryland Rise, Northwestern Falls
Saturday Blitz Big Ten Power Rankings Week 8
Perhaps it was unfair to drop a 6-1 Big Ten team to No. 5 in our power rankings. But remember that the power rankings are not based on just a resume the way our Top 25 is. Their based on how teams are playing at that particular time. With that in mind, Minnesota has squeaked by for wins the last two weeks and is looking like things could crash down on it.
Jerry Kill’s Golden Gophers have a great identity by relying heavily on the rushing attack with David Cobb at running back, and unlike Indiana, which is trying to model the same style, the Gophers play defense. They only give up 21.4 points per game and are scoring 28.7 with a heavy ground game, which allows them a better chance at winning turnover battles as well. So although we dropped this team, it’s good enough to move up.
With Illinois and Iowa up next, we could see this team at 8-1 and right in the thick of the Big Ten race up to showdowns with Ohio State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin to close out the year. This team could take you for a fun ride.
But it still has a little bit of work to do to prove itself.