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Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 1: Nebraska already in free fall mode

By Shane Lunnen

Aug 27, 2022; Dublin, IRELAND; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Aer Lingus college football series at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Moran-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2022; Dublin, IRELAND; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Aer Lingus college football series at Aviva Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Moran-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Purdue enters the 2022 season with higher expectations after a breakthrough year in 2021. The Boilermakers won nine games including a thriller against Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.

Entering his sixth year with the team, Jeff Brohm looks to contend now for what should be a very interesting race for the Big Ten West. Brohm will have back his starting quarterback as Aiden O’Connell starts his third year under center. O’Connell will look to find new targets with a lot of big name guys now gone.

Purdue kicks off the season with a home date against Penn State on Thursday night. The game will be good measuring stick to how far Brohm’s program has come.

Minnesota should be another program contending in the Big Ten West this season. The Gophers had nine wins a year ago including a bowl victory over West Virginia.

Despite the fairly successful season, the offense was inconsistent. The passing game was dreadful a year ago. Quarterback Tanner Morgan was not good but he’s hoping a reuniting with offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca is the spark the offense will need. On defense the Gophers hope they can match the top 10 defense they had a year ago.

Minnesota has some tough crossovers, traveling to both Michigan State and Penn State. The Gophers open against New Mexico State Thursday night.

Two sub par seasons are not going to fly in Happy Valley. James Franklin knows this and has looked to improve his team this off season.

The rushing attack was one of the worst in the nation a year ago. Five star freshman running back Nick Singleton looks to add a boost in the backfield, but any improvement in the run game starts with the five guys up front. The defense may not be as good as last year’s unit under new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz but it will still be formidable.

Penn State starts the season with a tough schedule. The Nittany Lions open the season at Purdue and two weeks later travel again to face Auburn. We will find out a lot about Penn State in September.

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