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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; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell (7) catches a 7-yard pass from quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) for a touchdown as Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Quinton Newsome (6) defends during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
October 16, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell (7) catches a 7-yard pass from quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) for a touchdown as Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Quinton Newsome (6) defends during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports /

team. 824. . 4-2, 1-2. Previous: . Terrapins . 8

The Terps were off this week with many questions to answer and much to figure out on both sides of the football. Defensively the Terrapins have allowed 117 points the last two games. One of those opponents was Iowa. The exact Iowa that mustered seven points this past weekend.

Offensively, head coach Mike Locksley has to scheme a way to decrease the turnovers. Eight of the teams’ 13 turnovers have been in the last two games. Maryland plays a tough Minnesota team, but their schedule still has Michigan, Penn State, and Michigan State.

848. . 4-2, 2-1. Previous: . Boilermakers . 7. team

What does Purdue’s win against Iowa this past weekend mean for the Boilermakers? It means they are ripe for a letdown against Wisconsin this weekend. The game is at Ross-Ade, and Purdue has been pretty good against the run this season.

It will be interesting to see if their win last week can propel the Boilermakers to something significant. It will also be interesting to see if Jeff Brohm can settle on a quarterback and if Purdue’s offensive line can block better against Wisconsin.

852. . 4-2, 2-1. Previous: . Golden Gophers . 6. team

Since Minnesota’s head-scratching loss to Bowling Green, the Golden Gophers have beaten Purdue and Nebraska in consecutive weeks. A win against Maryland puts the Gophers in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten West with Iowa yet to play.

Minnesota has been impressive, considering the Gophers lost their top two running backs, and their best receiver, Chris Autman-Bell, has dealt with injuries all season. The Gopher defense has been stout, and they grow running backs in Minneapolis.

Third-string running back Bryce Williams ran for 127 yards against Nebraska. Maybe we left the Gophers for dead too soon.

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