Big Ten power rankings, Week 11: Save us, Wisconsin, you’re the Big Ten’s only hope
By David Rouben
The College Football Playoff picture was turned on its head after the Big Ten’s two best teams suffered losses in Week 10.
How quickly perceptions can change after a week. J.T. Barrett went from leading his team to a miraculous comeback in the biggest game of the year to throwing three interceptions against Iowa. Saquon Barkley went from being the best player in the country to being, potentially, the second-best running back in his own conference. And the Big Ten went from potentially having two teams in the Playoff to having only one hopeful.
Only two Top 10 teams lost last weekend, but they both came from the Big Ten. With Penn State and Ohio State’s Playoff chances over, it could leave Wisconsin without a quality win. Because with all the talk of the East division being one of the best in college football, their representative in the Championship Game will be a two-loss team.
Week 10 was a big test for all the Playoff hopefuls. With two of them failing, hopefully the final picture becomes clearer, even though it’s never than simple.
Illinois Fighting Illini (2-7, 0-6)
Last week: L vs. Purdue, 29-10
Last rank: 14th
It was a familiar theme for Illinois against Purdue as their poor execution on offense just couldn’t compensate for their defensive play, which eventually wore out by the fourth quarter. Illinois can’t stop the run to save their life, as this was their fourth game giving up at least 200 rushing yards. Even their strategy of swarming D.J. Knox with four defenders didn’t work, as he scored one of the best touchdowns of the year.
Next week’s meeting against Indiana pits the only two winless teams remaining in the Big Ten. But Indiana is far better than their record shows, and are certainly capable of taking down Illinois. But if the Illini win, that’ll be their Big Ten Championship.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-5, 1-5)
Last week: L vs. Michigan, 33-10
Last rank: 11th
It may have been embarrassing to admit to being a Minnesota fan towards the end of last year, but Tracy Claeys’ team was much more exciting to watch than this season’s. If the average fan at home can predict which play they’re going to run, what makes them think opposing teams can’t? Of course, Demry Croft was never going to be able to move the ball well on Michigan’s front, but he’s been awful this year. Who knew that he’d be this big of a downgrade over Mitch Leidner?
The defense deserves part of the blame as well, as they made Karan Higdon look like Saquon Barkley and let Brandon Peters look comfortable in his first ever start. P.J. Fleck wasn’t going to have a ton of success in his first season, but missing a bowl game for the first time since 2011 should be considered a failure.