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Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Michigan, MSU making noise

By Dante Pryor

Sep 18, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) hands the ball to running back Kenneth Walker III (9) during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) hands the ball to running back Kenneth Walker III (9) during the first half against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi (6) is brought down by Notre Dame defenders during their football game Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Badgersvsnotredame 0925211926djp
Wisconsin Badgers running back Chez Mellusi (6) is brought down by Notre Dame defenders during their football game Saturday, September 25, 2021, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinApc Badgersvsnotredame 0925211926djp /

14. Illinois Fighting Illini (1-4, 1-2 Big Ten)

After their season-opening win against Nebraska, the Illini have lost four consecutive games. Before too much is made of this, the Fighting Illini is in a rebuild under new head coach Bret Bielema.

Their last two games were both one-possession losses to Maryland and Purdue. The Illini’s issue has been quarterback. They got 156 rushing yards from Joshua McCray and could not score a touchdown. This season is a zero year, but Illinois should be a bit better.

13. Wisconsin Badgers (1-2, 0-1)

This season was not supposed to turn out this way. The Badgers were supposed to contend for the Big Ten Championship and be a dark horse for the College Football Playoff. Instead, the Badgers lost to Notre Dame in a game where the defense played well.

Kyren Williams ran for just 33 yards against Wisconsin, and the Irish had just nine rushing yards on the day. However, Graham Mertz threw four interceptions, Chris Tyree scored on a kick-off return, and the Irish scored 31 points in the fourth quarter. There is trouble in Madison.

12. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-2, 0-1)

Many teams have found their respective identities this season. However, the Minnesota Golden Gophers did not even attempt to find a rhythm throwing the football against Bowling Green. Tanner Morgan threw for just 59 yards and two interceptions.

It was surprising that even with a healthy Chris Autman-Bell, the Gophers did not even try throwing him the ball. Autman-Bell had just one reception for nine yards. The offensive game plan will be interesting when the Gophers travel to Purdue this weekend.

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