Big Ten Power Rankings: Michigan, Northwestern continue to impress
By Mark Rogers
Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
That was the last year the Wildcats reached the Rose Bowl. It’s a big one in the Big House this Saturday as Northwestern meets suddenly mighty Michigan.
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Northwestern Wildcats (5-0)
Last week: W 27-0 Minnesota
Last rank: 1
Northwestern tightened its grip on the power poll No. 1 position with a convincing 27-0 shutout of Minnesota. And last week I said this team doesn’t blow out anybody decent. Take an error free, efficient passing game combined with a consistent ground attack and one of the best defenses in the country and we see the result.
Redshirt freshman Clayton Thorson hit on 14 of 19 passes and ran for two scores. Justin Jackson gained 120 yards at six yards per pop. And the defense held Minnesota to 173 yards total offense including just 74 on the ground. The defense has now given up just 35 points in five games after pitching its first Big Ten shutout since 1995.
That was the last year the Wildcats reached the Rose Bowl. It’s a big one in the Big House this Saturday as Northwestern meets suddenly mighty Michigan.
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