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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; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights offensive lineman Raiqwon O’Neal (71) celebrates his touchdown with his teammates during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. The Scarlet Knights won 38-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights offensive lineman Raiqwon O’Neal (71) celebrates his touchdown with his teammates during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. The Scarlet Knights won 38-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

The Terrapins, along with the Scarlet Knights, are looking for that elusive sixth win to go bowling this postseason. Ironically, Maryland might have to defeat Rutgers to get to the postseason with #6 Michigan next weekend.

If the Terrapins get to a bowl game, it will be despite losing their two big-play receivers, Dontay Demus and Jeshaun Jones. Their hope against Michigan is not turning the football over and slowing the Wolverines’ rushing game.

Speaking of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, their 38-3 romp over Indiana puts the fighting Greg Schiano’s one win away from going to the postseason. Could Rutgers pull the upset against Penn State? They could, especially with the way the Nittany Lions’ offensive line has played.

However, it is more likely that the Scarlet Knights and Terrapins will clash on the last weekend of the season to go bowling. Rutgers does not have the best roster, but they play hard. It should be a good one on the last weekend of the regular season.

Illinois is another team that has some decent wins with a not-so-decent roster. They lost to UTSA and were blown out by Virginia but have wins against Penn State and Minnesota. What do these wins and losses all mean?

It is proof of an up and down year for the Illini and head coach Bret Bielema in his first year in Champaign. Illinois’ formula is simple; if they can run the football, they have a chance to win. The Illini can get blown out quickly if they can’t run. There is a path to the postseason for Illinois, but it goes through Iowa City.

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