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Big Ten Football Power Rankings, Week 7: Iowa reigns supreme

By Dante Pryor

Oct 1, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes players celebrates after a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes players celebrates after a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports /
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September 25, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Jake Arthurs (31) celebrates his touchdown against the Ohio Bobcats during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
September 25, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Jake Arthurs (31) celebrates his touchdown against the Ohio Bobcats during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Northwestern Wildcats (2-3, 0-2)

The Wildcats were off last weekend, reeling after their 56-7 blowout loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Not only was the offense inept, but the defense was also awful. This game was the worst performance in the Pat Fitzgerald era.

The Wildcats host Rutgers this week in a game both teams desperately need if either has any hope at playing in the postseason.

13. Illinois Fighting Illini (2-5, 1-3)

Fortunately for the Fighting Illini, the Wildcats were idle. Between that and winning the straw poll, Illinois is 13th and not last in this week’s rankings. That said, the Illini were flat bad against a struggling Wisconsin team.

Illinois could do nothing against Wisconsin’s stout defense and struggled against Wisconsin’s running game, surrendering 391 rushing yards. The Illini play Penn State in a game that could get ugly quickly.

12. Indiana Hoosiers (2-3, 0-2)

The Hoosiers came into this season with high expectations but have run into some of the same problems that have plagued them the last couple of seasons. Michael Penix Jr. is out indefinitely with a separated shoulder.

Penix has not exactly been lights out for the Hoosiers, completing just 53.7 percent of his passes with three more interceptions than touchdowns. Hopefully, Utah transfer Jack Tuttle can come in and provide a spark to a team with a meager six points in conference play this season.

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