Big Ten Power Rankings Week 10: Terps, Wolverines Rise, Wildcats, Nittany Lions Fall

Nov 1, 2014; Lincoln, NE, USA; Purdue Boilermakers tight end Justin Sinz (84) celebrates after receiver Cameron Posey (18) scored a touchdown against Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

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11

Purdue Boilermakers 3-6 (1-4)

Last week: Lost to Nebraska Cornhuskers 35-14
Last rank: 11

Maybe we’re falling too much in love with Darrell Hazell’s team because it is definitely a bad team. But we love seeing teams steadily improving, and that’s been the case for the Purdue Boilermakers since the beginning of this season.

The upset win over Illinois still sticks with us, and although they got blown out by Nebraska, they have been in plenty of other games this year while playing a very difficult schedule. This is not the same team that lost to Central Michigan. Hazell’s system is finally coming around, as the Boilermakers are limiting mistakes and winning the field position battles. But they’re also scoring, making games interesting. We know this is a bad team, but we’re certain it’s improving.

And with the Northwestern and Indiana their final two games after Wisconsin, we’ll be able to gauge how much this team has improved against teams on its level soon enough.