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College Football Conference Power Rankings: Week 14

By Nathaniel Reeves

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in the second overtime at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime.Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Curtis Samuel (4) celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in the second overtime at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 30-27 in double overtime.Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Brutus Buckeye crowd surfs as fans surge onto the field following the win over the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Brutus Buckeye crowd surfs as fans surge onto the field following the win over the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Big Ten

The Big Ten will likely keep four of the top seven spots in the rankings, with three of those teams still alive in the playoff race. Even with a number of awful teams at the bottom of the Big Ten, no conference can come close to matching that feat.

Ohio State overcame an ugly effort on the offensive side of the ball in the first half of a come-from-behind win over Michigan. While the Wolverines are almost certainly out of the playoff picture, losing in double overtime in Columbus should do nothing to hurt Michigan’s perception.

Penn State got a scare in the first half against lowly Michigan State before pulling away in a 45-12 victory to clinch the Big Ten East. Franklin has done one of the best coaching jobs in the nation, as nobody projected the Nittany Lions ahead of Michigan and Ohio State.

Wisconsin also erased a fourth-quarter deficit to beat Minnesota 31-17 and win the Big Ten West. Minnesota should still be happy with an 8-4 season and good showing in its rivalry game under first-year head coach Tracy Claeys.

The big disappointment of rivalry week in the Big Ten was No. 16 Nebraska, which continued its late-season fade with a 40-10 blowout loss to a resurgent Iowa team. Elsewhere, Northwestern, Maryland and Indiana all reached the necessary six wins to qualify for bowl eligibility with victories over their respective rivals.

Next: Ranking The 25 Best Rivalries In College Football

While the bottom four teams in the conference are among the worst in the Power Five, having four spots in the top seven and ten at .500 or better shows the strength and depth of the Big Ten. With three excellent coaches in the East plus a consistent Wisconsin program, the Big Ten is set to dominate the college football landscape for years to come.

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