Big Ten Power Rankings, Week 13: More than playoffs on the line in Michigan vs. Ohio State

Despite what the final score might indicate, the Nittany Lions weren’t dominant the entire time against Rutgers. They went into the first half with just a 9-0 lead, and didn’t score a touchdown. Most of their damage came in the fourth quarter when they accumulated 216 of their 549 total yards of offense. The defense did its job by limiting Rutgers to just 87 total yards.

Penn State’s resurgence has been one of the better stories of the college football season. They haven’t enjoyed success like this since 2011, mainly because they were hit hard by sanctions. But James Franklin came into the season on the hot seat, then started off his Big Ten campaign with a blowout loss to Michigan. They haven’t lost since then, and are playing some of the best football in the country.

Their path to Indianapolis is easier than anyone else. Michigan and Ohio State have to play each other, Wisconsin has to play Minnesota, and Nebraska has to beat Iowa and hope for a Wisconsin loss. All Penn State has to do is beat Michigan State and hope for a Michigan loss. They’re in pole position to get to their first conference championship game in 2011, and if they win there, you have to like their chances of making the playoff even as a two-loss team.

However, Michigan State proved this week that they’re a team that should be taken seriously. And after Barkley’s touchdown run in the third, he didn’t return. Given the havoc that LJ Scott wreaked on the Ohio State defense, Penn State will need Barkley healthy if they want to clinch the Big Ten East. That said, the confidence this group has just gets bigger each week, and they deserve to be a big favorite over the Spartans.