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Big Ten power rankings, Week 11: Save us, Wisconsin, you’re the Big Ten’s only hope

By David Rouben

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 28: Alex Hornibrook
CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 28: Alex Hornibrook /
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BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 04: Indiana (21) Richard Lagow (QB) being brought down by a group of Wisconsin tacklers including (5) Garret Dooley (OLB) and (94) Conor Sheehy (DE) during a college football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Indiana Hoosiers on November 4, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 04: Indiana (21) Richard Lagow (QB) being brought down by a group of Wisconsin tacklers including (5) Garret Dooley (OLB) and (94) Conor Sheehy (DE) during a college football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Indiana Hoosiers on November 4, 2017 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
12

Maryland Terrapins (4-5, 2-4)

Last week: L vs. Rutgers, 31-24
Last rank: 8th

Maryland can’t afford to lose any more quarterbacks, but the way they kept rushing back Max Bortenschlager after he’d gotten hurt has been reckless. Even at 100 percent he’s not that good, but their stubbornness finally came back to bite them, as he left the game with a shoulder injury.

Ultimately, what cost the Terps this game was their defense, who seemingly have no idea how to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. They let Giovanni Rescigno complete six of his last eight passes, while also accumulating 54 yards on the ground. They also got hosed on a bad call when Isaiah Wharton got away with assault on D.J. Moore on what would’ve been the game-tying score. But it never should’ve come down to that.

Last year, a win over Rutgers clinched bowl eligibility for the Terrapins in D.J. Durkin’s first season. This year’s loss to them may have ended their chances at that, as they now have to beat two of Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State down the stretch.

11

Indiana Hoosiers (3-6, 0-6)

Last week: L vs. Wisconsin, 45-17
Last rank: 10th

Indiana was powerless to slow down the Jonathan Taylor show, but he wasn’t the only reason they lost. Even at 0-6, the Hoosiers defense was often good enough to keep them in the game, but even they couldn’t execute properly. The turning point of the game came when Wisconsin fumbled the ball twice on a drive while the Hoosiers were still within a score. The Badgers recovered it both times, and finished the drive in the end zone.

The defense may be Indiana’s biggest strength, but they couldn’t go shot-for-shot with Wisconsin’s. They also can’t force as many turnovers as they could last year, which has been their biggest downfall, as their turnover margin on the season is now -10. Thankfully, after a grueling schedule, the Hoosiers have three winnable games upcoming. But they still face an uphill battle to become bowl eligible.

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