Fansided

College football conference power rankings: Week 9

By Nathaniel Reeves

Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scores against Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scores against Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans celebrate their teams victory on the field against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans celebrate their teams victory on the field against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Big Ten

Even with the Ohio State loss, the top four in the Big Ten can beat anybody else’s, and the conference still has a decent shot at two playoff teams.

Just like in last year’s loss to Michigan State, the Buckeyes were plagued by head-scratching playcalling, as dynamic running back Curtis Samuel had all of two carries. Ohio State’s special teams errors were likely more of a fluke, but there are legitimate concerns about the offensive line after Penn State manhandled the unit.

The Buckeyes can redeem themselves in two weeks against No. 7 Nebraska, seemingly the last major hurdle before hosting the Wolverines. Michigan moved into the No. 2 spot after breezing past Illinois and have a favorable schedule leading into the trip to Columbus.

While Nebraska isn’t exactly soundly beating bad teams, being undefeated at this point in the season is still significant. Wisconsin out of the top ten even with a hard-fought road win against Iowa, but no other conference can come close to claiming four spots in the top 11.

Penn State is the fifth ranked team in the Big Ten at No. 24 and has an easy enough schedule to win out, which would be a remarkable accomplishment for James Franklin given how the season started. After that, Northwestern and Iowa are the only teams over .500 in conference play, and the bottom tier of the Big Ten is incredibly weak to put it behind the SEC.

Michigan State’s rapid fall is one of the stories of the year, as the Spartans dropped yet another game to Maryland and now stand at 2-5. Indiana can’t be happy with Saturday’s loss to the Wildcats, while Minnesota’s recent good run of form is somewhat tainted after requiring a late field goal to beat Rutgers.

The depth isn’t quite there, but no other conference can claim to have three teams still in the playoff hunt.

Home/College Football