Big Ten football power rankings, Week 9: Purdue stumbles

Oct 22, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jake Chaney (36) sacks Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK /

3 of 6

Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

Nebraska had an off week so the Huskers had a chance to rest and get ready for the final stretch. They will need three wins to make a bowl and it starts this Saturday with a home date against Big Ten West leader Illinois.

Rutgers fell behind early against Indiana but kept plugging along. Eventually they were able top the Hoosiers. Freshman running back Samuel Brown had his first 100-yard game of his career and found the end zone once.

It was a very important win for Rutgers. They need to win two more games in their final five to get a bowl game. But the stretch is going to be a gauntlet with games against Michigan, Penn State, and Maryland.

Minnesota was without Tanner Morgan so the QB1 duty fell to freshman Athan Kaliakmanis. The Gopher offense relied heavily on Mo Ibrahim and while he did notch his 15th consecutive game over 100 yards, the Gophers were overwhelmed by Penn State in the second half.

Minnesota entered the contest only giving up 11.6 points per game. Penn State nearly scored four times that average. The Gophers were very one-dimensional and did not do much beyond a solid-looking 90-yard drive in the second quarter. The Gophers will try to break out of their losing slump when they take on Rutgers this Saturday.

Home/Big Ten