Big Ten Power Rankings - Week 13

Despite a valiant effort from Penn State, Ohio State was too much, giving the Lions their second loss of the season. Let’s see how things shape up.

As a reminder, this isn’t a ranking of teams based on record, or place in the polls, but rather my assessment of how the teams are playing at the time. If two teams met on a neutral field and played 100 times, a team that wins 51 times gets ranked ahead of the team that wins 49 times.

Let’s see what we got this week, shall we?

1. Ohio State

After opening a 21-0 lead, the Buckeyes let Penn State back into the game, 21-17, before icing it with a touchdown to make it 28-17. Up next is the new #2 in these rankings.

2. Michigan

The Wolverines have looked much better since playing Penn State, including this past weekend’s 39-14 win over Indiana on the road. Can Michigan take down Ohio State? I sure hope not, for bowl season’s sake!

3. Minnesota

The Gophers secured the 38-22 win over Northwestern, and now take on Wisconsin for B1G West supremacy. Once again, hoping not for the sake of a good bowl game!

4. Penn State

The Lions took a stiff shot to the chin against Ohio State, but kept on fighting. The injury to Sean Clifford proved too much to overcome however, and the offense sputtered in the fourth quarter. Nothing like a little Rutgers to get yourself all set for the postseason!

5. Wisconsin

A solid 45-24 win over Purdue means that if the Badgers can take down Minnesota, they’ll get a rematch with OSU in the B1G Conference Championship Game. Count me as a Wisconsin fan this weekend!

6. Iowa

Illinois is a good team, but a 19-10 win is as shaky as they come. Still, a win’s a win!

7. Indiana

After hanging with Michigan for a quarter or so, the Hoosiers ultimately succumbed. I’ll call it a hangover from playing Penn State so tough. Yeah, that’s the ticket!

8. Illinois

Honestly would have liked to see the Illini get the dub over Iowa, but whaddya gonna do?

9. Nebraska

We all know the Cornhuskers are meh, and Maryland is bad, but 54-7 is 54-7.

10. Purdue

With that loss, the postseason will be but a dream for the 2019 Boilermakers. Until next year Purdue Pete!

11. Michigan State

27-0 over Rutgers is a good win, I suppose, but given just how bad Rutgers is, it’s frankly not good enough to move up the list.

12. Northwestern

A 38-22 loss actually moves you up the list when the next team on the list . . . .

13. Maryland

Suffers a 54-7 loss instead.

14. Rutgers

And yet another shutout. What do the Scarlet Knights get as their consolation prize? Oh, fun, a visit to play a pissed off Penn State!

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And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for, your updated standings!

OSU at the top, with Michigan and Minnesota rising. PSU drops after a tough loss, with Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois holding steady. Nebraska flip flops with Purdue, while Michigan State stays put. Northwestern rises as Maryland falls, and as always, Rutgers.

Let’s see what week 14 brings us!