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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; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is sacked by Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive linemen Nyles Pinckney (5) during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
October 16, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is sacked by Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive linemen Nyles Pinckney (5) during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports /

. 3-3, 1-2. Previous: . Wildcats . 11. team. 882

Northwestern has scratched and clawed themselves back to .500 after an ugly loss to Nebraska. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats certainly know how to muck it up and win ugly games.

Their win against Rutgers was an ugly rock fight. Quarterback Ryan Hilinski played well, throwing for 267 yards and two touchdowns. The Wildcats travel to The Big House to take on the Michigan Wolverines this weekend.

10. team. 810. . 3-5, 1-4. Previous: . Cornhuskers

When do the mishaps, tough luck, and miscues stop being a coincidence? In their 30-23 loss (their fifth one-possession loss of the season), the Cornhuskers failed to score inside the five and missed a field goal.

To make this a game, Nebraska had to dig themselves out of a 21-9 hole in the second half. In addition, the ‘Huskers gave up 127 yards rushing to Minnesota’s third-string running back. There are no participation trophies here. Frost has to take heat for another mistake-riddled performance by Nebraska.

Badgers . 9. team. 809. . 3-3, 1-2. Previous:

The Badgers have determined they do not have the personnel to throw the football effectively, so they decided to play and pound-power football. Their 20-14 victory against the Army was the fourth game where the Badgers ran the ball at least 40 times.

Wisconsin seems content running the football and playing defense. The Badgers play Purdue this weekend and Iowa the next. The back end of their schedule looks favorable with the likes of Northwestern and Rutgers on the schedule.

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