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Big Ten Football: New No.1 emerges in Week 8 power rankings

By Richard Kimball

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - OCTOBER 20: Binjimen Victor #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is tackled after the pass reception by Antonio Blackmon #14 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - OCTOBER 20: Binjimen Victor #9 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is tackled after the pass reception by Antonio Blackmon #14 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 20, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights almost ended their losing skid on Saturday, trying to play upset to the Northwestern Wildcats. Heading into the fourth quarter, the Scarlet Knights held a 15-10 lead. But a touchdown by the Wildcats with about eight minutes left in the game, put the Scarlet Knights back on track to finish the season with just one win.

The good news is that Rutgers can’t lose this week, but they won’t be winning either. The Scarlet Knights are on their bye week, and then prepare for a four-game stretch that sees them play Wisconsin, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State. Congratulations to the first Big Ten team to have their end of season spot in our rankings determined.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers picked up their first win of the season after beating the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 53-28. Cornhuskers quarterback, Adrian Martinez, had the best game of his young college career, completing 25 of his 29 pass attempts, that went for 276 yards and three touchdown. Martinez also picked up 125 yards on the ground and ran for one score.

Barring a complete setback, the Cornhuskers should continue their winning this Saturday as they take on FCS foe, Bethune-Cookman. It’s been a disappointing season for the Cornhuskers but they have several opportunities to give their fans hope heading into next season. And if the game Adrian Martinez had against Minnesota is a sign to come for the young quarterback, Nebraska has a lot to look forward to.

After starting the season 3-2, the Illinois Illini have lost two straight, including their 49-20 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers this past Saturday. And by the looks of it, the Illini might not win another game until 2019. But let’s face it, the Illini are not a powerhouse and this type of season was expected by many, but next season should be a step forward.

The Illini have a lot of talent on their team and if they can continue to recruit well, they might be able to make a few bowl appearances in the years to come. But for now, they need to focus on their five remaining games, They’ll be the underdogs in all of them, but have the players to upset some conference opponents.

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