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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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Wow. That’s all you can say about the Ohio State Buckeyes’ loss to Purdue in Week 8. An upset was foreseen by some but not by this magnitude. Ohio State was dominated on both sides of the ball. The defense allowed over 530 yards and the offense relied on the pass game that required Dwayne Haskins to throw the ball 73(!!) times. Ever since their narrow win over Penn State, the Buckeyes have been shaky, struggling early against Indiana and Minnesota.

The Boilermakers capitalized on the Buckeyes slow starts and made them pay, handing them their first loss of the season.  The Buckeyes can still win the Big Ten and still make the playoff, and with a bye week in Week 9, they’ll be able to get things in order for their final four games of the season. The Buckeyes can overcome this defeat, but need to dig deep if thy want to play for a national title.

The Michigan Wolverines have moved to the top of our power rankings for the Big Ten following a big win over Michigan State. The Wolverines had a little help from Purdue for their rise but the Wolverines have been the best team in the Big Ten all season. In Jim Harbaugh‘s best season as Michigan’s head coach, the Wolverines are in prime position to win a conference championship and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Wolverines have a bye week before ending the season with Penn State and Ohio State in their four remaining games. The offense’s success is not owed to quarterback Shea Patterson, but to running back Karan Higdon, who has emerged as one of the nation’s top running backs. The gameplan for Michigan has an old school feel to it. Run the ball to open the pass and control time of possession, all while having a dominant defense. The Wolverines are for real this year, and it’s time everyone started acknowledging that.

Next. NFL Mock Draft: Projected first round after Week 8. dark

Week 9 has a lot on the line as several teams look to keep their conference, New Year’s Six and bowl hopes alive. Who will rise and who will fall in next week’s Big Ten Power Rankings?!

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