Big Ten Power Rankings — Week 12

1. Wisconsin Badgers (11-0)

We’ve been saying it for a couple weeks now, but Wisconsin is winning the games it should. Being a consistent, dependable team shouldn’t be overlooked in college football.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes (9-2)

As expected, the Buckeyes made easy work of Illinois. Ohio State will now travel to Michigan for The (Meaningless) Game.

3. Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2)

The final score might say 56-44, but this game was over at halftime, as the Nittany Lions boat raced Nebraska to a 42-10 lead. Penn State will finish up its regular season on the road at Maryland.

4. Northwestern Wildcats (8-3)

Listen, Minnesota might be extremely mediocre, but beating any team 39-0 is an impressive accomplish in this blogger’s mind. It’s too bad Penn State couldn’t keep the wheels on because that 31-7 victory is looking better and better.

5. Michigan State Spartans (8-3)

Brian Lewerke was 2-of-14 for 20 yards, but it didn’t matter because the Spartans ran all over Terrapins. Next up for Michigan State is a trip to Rutgers, which means Sparty will finish the regular season 9-3.

6. Michigan Wolverines (8-3)

Here’s the thing with Jim Harbaugh’s offense: it’s great when you have a good offensive line. When you don’t though, it’s going to be ugly. And to top it all off, the Wolverines just don’t have enough offensive weapons to do much of anything.

7. Indiana Hoosiers (5-6)

The Big Ten gets super mediocre down here, but watch out world because the Indiana Hoosiers have won two Big Ten games in a row.

8. Purdue Boilermakers (5-6)

Purdue-Indiana with bowl eligibility on the line. Jeff Brohm might sacrifice livestock as a part of his pre-game speech. #BoilerUp

9. Iowa Hawkeyes (6-5)

This is the most Iowa team that Iowa has had during Kirk Ferentz’s tenure — that’s impressive.

10. Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-6)

With a game against Wisconsin on the docket, a bowl game in Fleck’s first season looks extremely unlikely. Excited to see the progress Fleck’s program makes in year two.

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-7)

Tanner Lee could still win the Heisman.

12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-7)

It’s quite astounding how a 4-8 season will be looked at as a significant improvement, but that’s Rutgers Football, folks.

13. Maryland Terrapins (4-7)

To be honest, I don’t know why I had Maryland higher in last week’s edition. The Terrapins are #bad.

14. Illinois Fighting Illini (2-9)

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