Big Ten Power Rankings: Michigan State, Iowa vie for top spot after Ohio State loss
By Mark Rogers
Nov 21, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; A Iowa Hawkeyes fan holds up a sign showing the Hawks record after beating the Purdue Boilermakers at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa beat Purdue 40-20. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Does Michigan State’s upset in Columbus vault the Spartans to No. 1 or is perfection too much to overcome?
The Big Ten’s chances of a College Football Playoff appearance may have taken a serious hit when Michigan State upended Ohio State and the Spartans’ 17-14 win definitely shook up this week’s Big Ten Power Rankings.
Ohio State was a double-digit favorite playing at home and Michigan State didn’t even have starting quarterback Connor Cook, but credit Mark Dantonio’s team for turning in their best defensive performance of the year and making enough plays on offense to win the game with a field goal as time expired.
Iowa now stands alone as the last remaining undefeated at 11-0, but have the Spartans earned the top spot with victories at Ohio State and Michigan to match a win over Oregon (8-3) that’s looking better by the week? Iowa has locked up the West, but wants to continue to stir up the national scene and garner a berth in the playoff.
The Hawkeyes win ugly, but winning is all that counts, right? In sports, yes. In college football, the answer to that question is quite complex.
Who did you beat? Who beat you? Did you compete?
The answer to those questions are reflected in this week’s Big Ten Power Rankings.
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