Big Ten Power Rankings: Don’t sleep on the Iowa Hawkeyes
By Mark Rogers
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa’s flawless record means a Big Ten season opening 10-6 loss to the Hawkeyes has probably sealed the Badgers’ fate in the Western Division. The subsequent fall from the national rankings has also dropped the Badgers from the minds of most college football fans outside the state’s borders.
Corey Clement returned to the lineup vs Rutgers and rushed for 115 yards on just 11 carries with three touchdowns. Joel Stave tossed in 217 yards, but his touchdown to interception ratio remains unimpressive (9-7).
The Badgers’ defense continues to recover from its humbling in Week One vs Alabama. Wisconsin now ranks in the top three in the nation in scoring and total defense after holding the Scarlet Knights to just 83 yards rushing on 38 carries and 82 yards through the air.
Nonetheless, Wisconsin is again winning. The Badgers’ best victory is a 24-13 defeat of 4-4 Illinois so the Power Rankings are to kind to date. The 48-10 romp over Rutgers Saturday brings the Badgers to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the Big Ten.
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6
Wisconsin Badgers (7-2, 4-1)
Last week: W Rutgers 48-10
Last rank: 6
Under the radar.
Barry Alvarez brought this program from oblivion and established Wisconsin as a Big Ten power with a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1993. Wisconsin football has been a main stay in this conference ever since.
Iowa’s flawless record means a Big Ten season opening 10-6 loss to the Hawkeyes has probably sealed the Badgers’ fate in the Western Division. The subsequent fall from the national rankings has also dropped the Badgers from the minds of most college football fans outside the state’s borders.
Corey Clement returned to the lineup vs Rutgers and rushed for 115 yards on just 11 carries with three touchdowns. Joel Stave tossed in 217 yards, but his touchdown to interception ratio remains unimpressive (9-7).
The Badgers’ defense continues to recover from its humbling in Week One vs Alabama. Wisconsin now ranks in the top three in the nation in scoring and total defense after holding the Scarlet Knights to just 83 yards rushing on 38 carries and 82 yards through the air.
Nonetheless, Wisconsin is again winning. The Badgers’ best victory is a 24-13 defeat of 4-4 Illinois so the Power Rankings are to kind to date. The 48-10 romp over Rutgers Saturday brings the Badgers to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the Big Ten.
Next: Northwestern