Big Ten Football Power Rankings, Week 11: Michigan State finally stumbles
By Dante Pryor
The Indiana Hoosiers are the only Big Ten team without a conference win this season. The Hoosiers look to get their first Big Ten win of the season in the conference pillow fight of the week against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Indiana has scored just 70 points in conference play this season, so playing Rutgers might be just what the doctor ordered. However, Rutgers has something to play for with an outside shot to make a bowl game.
The Northwestern Wildcats lost to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the “I’d rather watch paint dry” game of the week. The Wildcats usually outplay their advanced metrics with fundamentally sound execution and forcing teams to play ugly.
Northwestern committed eight penalties and committed three turnovers against the Hawkeyes. When those things happen, the Wildcats do not have a chance to win, even against an anemic offense like Iowa’s.
Nebraska’s 26-17 loss to Ohio State at home this Saturday was every reason why the Cornhuskers are 3-7. Nebraska had a punt and missed field goal to show for two Ohio State turnovers. Nebraska converted just two first downs.
Nebraska could not sustain drives, needing big plays to score the football. Give Nebraska credit; they were down early and came back to make it a game. However, the mistakes and miscues in this game proved why they are 3-7.