Big Ten football power rankings Week 5: Minnesota soaring to new heights
By Shane Lunnen
Penn State got off to a fast start against Central Michigan. Then they let up on the gas a bit in the second quarter. Eventually the Nittany Lions earned a fairly comfortable 19 point victory over a decent MAC squad.
Nick Singleton was not as good as he has been the last two weeks, but Kaytron Allen stepped up. Allen ran for 112 yards and scored a touchdown. It is nice to have two solid first year backs who complement one another.
The Nittany Lion defense was also very good again. They gave up some yards, but got four turnovers like they did a week ago. The secondary also had 13 passes defensed. This is one of the best secondary units in the conference.
Penn State hosts Northwestern this upcoming week before getting an off week. Then it will be a brutal stretch of at Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio State. We will know how good Penn State is at the end of October.
Minnesota looked to have a challenge on the road against Michigan State. The Gophers passed the test with flying colors, pounding the Spartans 34-7.
Tanner Morgan tossed three touchdown passes and Mo Ibrahim posted triple digit rushing yards for the fourth time this season. Everything the Gophers wanted to execute on offense they were able to do against an overmatched Spartan defense.
The Gophers held onto the ball for over 42 minutes. When the Spartans did have it, the Gopher defense smothered them. Kept them to under 250 total yards, forced three turnovers and the only Spartan touchdown occurred with less than a minute to go in the game.
This is a very good Minnesota team. By far the best team in the Big Ten West and they look like a complete team. The Gophers face Purdue next week in what could be a pivotal division showdown.