Big Ten Power Rankings - Week 14

If there were any doubt about who the best team is in the conference, the Buckeyes put the kibosh on it. But what about the rest of the conference? 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

I mean, what else can you say? A 56-27 destruction of Michigan clearly puts OSU as one of the top two teams in the country. Really, Ohio State just seems like a team of destiny this year, along with LSU. I’m really hoping we get to see those two in the playoffs.

2. Wisconsin

The Badgers demolished Minnesota 38-17 in a play-in game for the B1G Championship Game, and they did it at Minneapolis. This could be a pretty exciting conference championship game.

3. Penn State

A supremely lackluster 27-6 win for the Lions over Rutgers keeps them in third place right now, just behind the two title game participants. Seems more or less fitting, but ask me next Monday where I think the Lions belong.

4. Michigan

Man, for all the chirping Michigan and its fans do, you’d think they’d finish better than third in the East a little more often, wouldn’t you?

5. Minnesota

This will still be a historic season for the Gophers, but they had a legit chance at both the Big Ten Championship Game and a trip to the Rose Bowl, and they blew it in spectacular fashion.

6. Iowa

Nearly dropped a game to Nebraska, but the Hawkeyes hang on and await their post season at 9-3 overall.

7. Indiana

#9Windiana is still alive and well! The Hoosiers needed overtime to take down rival Purdue 44-41, but they got the dub, and could reach 9 wins with a bowl victory!

8. Illinois

On the other hand, you have whatever THAT was from Illinois, losing 29-10 against Northwestern. Hurts the Badgers, so I’ll take it!

9. Michigan State

Somehow I expected more than a 19-16 win over Maryland. I honestly should have known better. At least Sparty is bowl eligible, helping Penn State’s strength of schedule!

10. Nebraska

So close Big Red, you’ll get your revenge in Farmageddon 2020!

11. Purdue

Despite not being bowl eligible, the Boilermakers hung in there against their most hated rival.

12. Northwestern

The Wildcats scored one for the bottom dwellers! You go Glen Coco!

13. Maryland

A 19-16 loss to MSU just sort of seems right for the Terps.

14. Rutgers

Hats off to the Scarlet Knights, they came out and played hard. Shame that their best effort still got them a 3-touchdown defeat, but boy they sure tried.

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

OSU at the top, with their title game foe Wisconsin rising to greet them. Penn State moves up while Michigan and Minnesota fall. Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois all hold steady, while Michigan State claws its way up the board. Nebraska and Purdue drop, and Northwestern, Maryland, and Rutgers keep their places in the basement.

Let’s see what championship week brings us!