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Big Ten Football Power Rankings, Week 8: Iowa loss means new No. 1 team

By Dante Pryor

Purdue Boilermakers players celebrate during a NCAA Big Ten Conference football game Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.211016 Purdue Iowa Fb 050 Jpg
Purdue Boilermakers players celebrate during a NCAA Big Ten Conference football game Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.211016 Purdue Iowa Fb 050 Jpg /
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October 16, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Cole Freeman (0) is sacked in the second half against Northwestern Wildcats defensive tackle Trevor Kent (96) at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports
October 16, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Cole Freeman (0) is sacked in the second half against Northwestern Wildcats defensive tackle Trevor Kent (96) at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports /

813. . 2-4, 0-3. Previous: . Hoosiers . 14. team

It was expected for the Hoosiers to begin a regression toward the mean, but this season is significantly worse than that. Indiana has lost Michael Penix Jr. for the second season in a row. Jack Tuttle is serviceable but not dynamic.

What’s most tragic about his season in Bloomington is the Hoosiers are waisting a pretty good defense by being so bad offensively. The Hoosiers limited Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III to 83 yards and no touchdowns in their 20-15 loss.

Rutgers’ losing streak is at four games after their 21-7 loss to Northwestern at Ryan Field on Saturday. There was some hope the Scarlet Knights could win this game after losing three straight to the top of the Big Ten East.

Rutgers has a lot to fix offensively after mustering just 222 total yards of offense and seven points. The Knights’ window to six wins is shrinking. Maybe they correct the ship against Illinois.

2-5, 1-4. Previous: . Fighting Illini . 12. team. 807.

Speaking of Illinois, the Illini needed an off week as much as any team in the country. They do not have a quarterback to take advantage of a veteran offensive line. This season looked so promising after their win against Nebraska.

It did not take long to realize the Illini were not any good. This season is a zero year for Bret Bielema anyway. Coach B needs to find a quarterback if the Illini want to compete moving forward. They will know how far away they are after they play Penn State this weekend.

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