Big Ten Power Rankings: Iowa, Michigan State battle for league supremacy
By Mark Rogers
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
14. Purdue (2-10, 1-7)
2015 will be lost amidst a number of dismal seasons in West Lafayette. A 54-36 loss to arch rival Indiana culminated another bottom of the barrel finish for the Boilers. Purdue is now 6-30 and 3-21 in the Big Ten over the last three years. Returning head coach Darrell Hazell will build around Freshmen quarterback David Blough (57.7%, 10 touchdowns, 8 interceptions) who pumped some life into the offense along with freshman running back Markell Jones (875 rush yards, 34 receptions, 11 total touchdowns).
13. Rutgers (4-8, 2-6)
Rutgers’ second Big Ten season was marred by player suspensions and especially the transgressions of head coach Kyle Flood who missed three games for tampering with a player’s eligibility. The Scarlet Knights dropped another rung in the conference power rankings following a 46-41 loss to designated rival Maryland. Now with the firing of Flood, Rutgers must find a head coach who can run a clean ship, harvest the rich Jersey recruiting ground and develop freshman Chris Laviano (60.9 percent, 16 touchdowns, 12 interceptions) or another quarterback in the system.
Next: Maryland - Illinois