Big Ten Power Rankings: Iowa, Michigan State battle for league supremacy
By Mark Rogers
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
8. Indiana (6-6, 2-6)
The Hoosiers 54-point explosion on Purdue secured the Old Oak and Bucket for a third consecutive year and clinched Indiana’s second bowl appearance since 1993. No one outside of Michigan State played Ohio State (34-27) and Michigan (48-41, OT) tougher than the Hoosiers. Now Kevin Wilson’s program receives an extra couple weeks of practice and the prestige and possible boost in recruiting from postseason exposure.
7. Penn State (7-5, 4-4)
James Franklin is expected to build Penn State football into an elite program again. Right now the Nittany Lions are securely the separation between the top and bottom of the conference. Penn State defeated four lower-tier conference teams by an average of 22 points per game. On the other hand, the Nittany Lions lost all four games to teams seeded above them by an average of 20.2 points per contest following Saturday’s 55-16 loss to Michigan State.
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