Big Ten football power rankings, Week 11: A new top team?

Have the Hawkeyes finally found their offense? Well, let’s temper expectations some as they have scored a total of 57 points against not-so-defensive juggernauts Northwestern and Purdue. But credit is due to the Hawkeyes as they are looking much more competent offensively than they were earlier in the season. The defense is still just as impressive.

Now Iowa has some big rivalry games to close out the season with Wisconsin, at Minnesota and Nebraska. Time will tell if they can end the year on a good note but momentum may carry them to a decent season now.

Minnesota was doing nothing offensively at halftime, with Tanner Morgan going 6 for 8 for 38 yards. He was replaced by Athan Kaliakmanis in the second half who was only a little bit more serviceable but the Gophers got it going with star Mo Ibrahim, going on to defeat Nebraska.

Minnesota is now bowl eligible and while they are still mathematically eligible to win the Big Ten West, it would have to be pure chaos for it to happen. The Gophers will get a home game next against Northwestern.

Maryland struggled to gain momentum in their trip to Madison, losing to the Badgers 23-10 in what could have been an even larger deficit than the final scoreboard indicated. The Terps struggled offensively, being held to 189 yards on the ground, only 9 first downs, and their lone touchdown came with less than a minute to go in the game.

The Terps still are looking to have a decent season and they will go bowling. But can they make it a special season by their standards? Beating Penn State in Happy Valley would be a feather in this team’s cap and they will get their shot this Saturday.