Fansided

Big Ten power rankings, Week 6: P.J. Fleck’s boat gets capsized

By David Rouben

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers yells on the sidelines against the University of Maryland Terrapins in the x quarter at TCF Bank Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers yells on the sidelines against the University of Maryland Terrapins in the x quarter at TCF Bank Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 30: Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats is sacked by Isaiahh Loudermilk #97 and Garret Dooley #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers during a game at Camp Randall Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Northwestern 33-24. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 30: Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats is sacked by Isaiahh Loudermilk #97 and Garret Dooley #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers during a game at Camp Randall Stadium on September 30, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Northwestern 33-24. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
12

Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-2, 2-0)

Last week: W vs. Illinois, 28-6
Last rank: 12th

After a rough non-conference outing, as well as some off-the-field turmoil, Nebraska couldn’t have asked for a better start to their Big Ten schedule. They’ve gotten off to a 2-0 start against Rutgers and Illinois, while some of this team’s pieces are starting to fall together.

Tanner Lee played the best game of his college career. He threw for 246 yards and three touchdowns on 17 completions. He didn’t even throw an interception, although he did lose a fumble. He distributed his touchdowns to three different pass-catchers, while the running attack was very balanced.

Nebraska is still have trouble holding onto the ball;  they had four fumbles, which is something that any other team would’ve been able to capitalize on. And with Wisconsin and Ohio State being the next two games on the schedule, things should revert back to normal for the Cornhuskers.

11

Northwestern Wildcats (2-2, 0-1)

Last week: L vs. Wisconsin, 33-24
Last rank: 9th

Although Northwestern is talented, going into Camp Randall for their Big Ten opener was one of the toughest challenges they could’ve faced. And just like against Duke, they lost because their biggest strength was taken away – the running game.

Justin Jackson is the engine of the Northwestern offense, so when he’s held to 25 yards on nine carries, that takes away a lot of what the Wildcats can do on that side of the ball. Because Jackson struggled so mightily, Northwestern had to depend on Clayton Thorson to beat the Badgers through the air. That’s easier said than done when you have ball hawks like Derrick Tindal and D’Cota Dixon out in the secondary.

The box score might say Northwestern put up 244 total yards, but most of that came during garbage time. While Wisconsin proved their defense is special, part of the blame also has to fall on Northwestern’s offensive line. You’re simply not going to win if you’re giving up eight sacks.

Things don’t get any easier for the Wildcats as they face Penn State next.

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