Big Ten Football Power Rankings 2017: Week 9 edition
By Shane Lunnen
So about the vaulted Michigan defense. It was humbled in the first half alone and then beaten down in the second half as Penn State trounced the Wolverines 42-13.
Michigan gave up a 69 yard touchdown run to running back Saquon Barkley on the game’s second play from scrimmage. After giving up another touchdown to Barkley, the Wolverines would fire back and pull within a point. However the Lions dominated in the second half and Michigan’s lackluster offense could not keep up.
Starting to wonder if quarterback John O’Korn should remain the starter or should head coach John Harbaugh turn to redshirt freshman Brandon Peters. The Wolverines are 2-2 in the conference and tied with Rutgers of all teams. A fourth place finish in the Big Ten East is a real possibility. They face Rutgers next in what should be a big bounce back game for the Wolverines.
Michigan State is not going for style points. The Spartans just keep winning, no matter how ugly it may look.
It took the Spartans nearly 54 minutes to finally reach the end zone against Indiana, but then they notched another touchdown about four minutes later and beat Indiana 17-9. Quarterback Brian Lewerke did not have his best game, but it was enough to get the job done along with an 87 yard rushing day for running back LJ Scott.
Related Story: Michigan State Football: 3 takeaways from win over Indiana in Week 8
Michigan State gets the all important sixth victory to gain bowl eligibility. With Penn State and Ohio State still remaining on the schedule, the Spartans should be looking for more in what has been an exceed expectations season. They’ll hit the road next Saturday to face Northwestern.
Wisconsin looked better this week against an over-matched Maryland team. Wisconsin opened the scoring early with an interception return for a touchdown and never looked back, cruising to a 38-13 victory.
Freshman running back Jonathan Taylor looked pedestrian, only running for 126 yards and a touchdown. He broke the 200 yard mark in each of the Badgers’ last two games. It wasn’t all sunny for the Badgers as their first two possessions on offense ended in turnovers, however their defense took care of business and only allowed the Terps to pick up a field goal.
With Michigan falling out of the top 25, for now the Badgers do not have a ranked opponent remaining on their schedule. They can pretty much book their trip to Indianapolis where they will be tested against whoever survives the Big Ten East.