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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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October 9, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is tackled by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Avery Young (2) and defensive lineman CJ Onyechi (26) during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
October 9, 2021; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Kenneth Walker III (9) is tackled by Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Avery Young (2) and defensive lineman CJ Onyechi (26) during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Michigan State Spartans (6-0, 3-0)

Can the Spartans continue their meteoric rise in the Big Ten? The short answer is no, but the conference is better when Sparty is good. That makes the rivalry game against Michigan worth more, and Michigan State always gives Ohio State trouble.

Head coach Mel Tucker and his staff did a masterful job using the transfer portal to make the Spartans competitive in year two. Defensive backs Chester Kimbrough and Ronald Williams Jr. have paid dividends shoring up a secondary that struggled last season.

Quavarias Crouch and Ben VanSumeren have provided depth to the Spartans’ linebacking corps. No transfer has had a more significant impact on Michigan State or any school in the country than running back Kenneth Walker III.

The Wake Forest transfer had gone from a rotational player to a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. Walker has 917 yards rushing and nine touchdowns this season. Behind Walker’s emergence as an elite running back, the Spartans are a Big Ten contender.

However, the Spartans’ schedule is backloaded. Michigan State travels to Indiana this week ahead of a showdown with rival Michigan. Also, the Spartans end the season with Penn State and Ohio State in consecutive weeks.

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