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Big Ten Power Rankings, Week 12: MSU, Ohio State battle for supremacy

By Dante Pryor

Nov 6, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker on the sideline in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker on the sideline in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Paul Chryst and Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald talk on the field during warmups before Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports]
Nov 13, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Paul Chryst and Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald talk on the field during warmups before Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports] /

The Hoosiers are still searching for their first Big Ten win after losing to Rutgers 38-3. Currently, the Hoosiers are in the midst of a six-game losing streak, and none of the games have been competitive save their 38-35 loss to Maryland.

The Hoosiers have two games left, one against inconsistent Minnesota and the Old Oaken Bucket game against Purdue. The Boilermakers are a better team, but Minnesota did lose to Illinois and Bowling Green; that might be the Hoosiers’ best shot at a Big Ten win this season.

Northwestern’s 35-7 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers is their fourth consecutive and fifth loss in six games. The Wildcats have allowed over 30 points in four of those losses. This year was a floor season for Northwestern because of the players they lost from last year’s team.

The Wildcats traditionally play above their talent level by being fundamentally sound and playing clean football. However, this season, the Wildcats have been plagued by mistakes and miscues. Northwestern had four turnovers against Wisconsin and committed eight penalties against Iowa.

So head coach Scott Frost returns for at least one more season in Lincoln. Frost has to overhaul his staff heading into next season in hopes of getting the Cornhuskers turned around. Nebraska has played several teams close this season, but mistakes and talent gaps have cost them games.

The Cornhuskers play Wisconsin this weekend, and the Badgers are locked in against inferior opponents. The ‘Huskers have lost four straight but none by more than nine points. Can they keep the Badgers close?

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