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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 Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

The Wisconsin Badgers got back on track this past Saturday after dominating the Illinois Illini, 49-20. The Badgers run game was in full affect, running for 357 yards and four touchdowns in their sun and snow-filled game. The Badgers took advantage of the weather, as their defense allowed just 90 yards passing and forced five turnovers on their way back into the win column.

The Badgers take on the Northwestern Wildcats this Saturday for the top spot in the Big Ten East. The Wildcats have been a hard team to figure out this season, but with the Badgers run game, Wisconsin should have it’s way this Saturday. But the Big Ten West won’t be locked up with a win. The Purdue Boilermakers and Iowa Hawkeyes are breathing down the Badgers’ neck and are ready to capitalize on Wisconsin’s down season.

The Iowa Hawkeyes continued their dominance this past weekend as they came away with a shutout win over the Maryland Terrapins. It’s time to start talking about the Hawkeyes competing for not only a Big Ten title, but also a spot in the College Football Playoff. Winning out, with a conference championship, the Hawkeyes should be taken serious for one of the four spots in the playoff.

But their season is on the line this Saturday as they go on the road to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Hawkeyes look to get revenge for last season’s defeat, that saw Penn State score on the final play to take down the Hawkeyes. Iowa’s defense will need to be on it’s A-game as they take on one of the nation’s best rush offenses. If Iowa can slow down the run, they’ll get their revenge and leave State College with the win.

It wasn’t pretty but the Penn State Nittany Lions ended their two-game losing streak with a win over the Indiana Hoosiers. Trace McSorley‘s streak of 35 consecutive games with a touchdown pass was snapped in the win, but he was still able to find the end zone twice on the ground, leading the way for the Penn State offense. On the defensive side of the ball, the Nittany Lions looked bad, allowing over 550 yards of total offense.

Penn State will need their defense to step up as the battle the Iowa Hawkeyes in what could be considered a defining point in the Nittany Lions season. A win keeps the Nittany Lions’ New Year’s Six hopes alive and well, but a loss could put them on the road of an 8-8 or 7-5 season. The loss to the Spartans hurts even more now with the way things have played out, but the Nittany Lions season is not a lost cause.

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