Big Ten power rankings, Week 11: Save us, Wisconsin, you’re the Big Ten’s only hope
By David Rouben
Michigan Wolverines (7-2, 4-2)
Last week: W vs. Minnesota, 33-10
Last rank: 4th
Michigan finally figured out how to make their offense potent again, and that is to run the damn ball. Much of the attention surrounding this game was on Brandon Peters’ first career start, but he finished with 56 yards on eight completions as he ceded to the running game.
The Wolverines have employed this strategy before, when they beat Indiana in overtime. And while Peters probably would’ve liked to throw it a bit more, why bother when you can have Karan Higdon and Chris Evans go off for 77 and 67-yard rushing touchdowns instead?
This isn’t a sustainable model of victory, and this result was moreso an indication of Minnesota being really bad than the Michigan offense being fixed. But Peters does appear stable under center, and at least he’s not turning the ball over like his counterparts. That may chance against the fearsome front sevens of Wisconsin and Ohio State, who figure to slow down their running game forcing Michigan to win through the air. Once that happens, we’ll have a much better idea of what Peters is capable of.
Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 3-3)
Last week: W vs. Ohio State, 55-24
Last rank: 7th
Kinnick Stadium may very well be college football’s equivalent of the Upside Down. They take top 10 teams that are riding high with confidence and swallow them whole. If their opponent’s Playoff hopes aren’t gone, their morale is. And by the end of the game, you’ll be sitting at home in stunned silence asking yourself what the hell you just witnessed.
The Hawkeyes also play way better at home than on the road, forcing you to question who they truly are. While Iowa might not know themselves, what they do know is they just got the most impressive win of the season. Everyone loves to chide Iowa and Kirk Ferentz on Twitter for having 55 punts in a game. This time, he had 55 points and called a fake punt inside their own 20. They saw their opponent, got up for it, and did to them what they always do to top 10 teams at home.
The biggest x-factor in this game was the offensive line. That unit physically outclassed Ohio State’s pass rush, and gave time for Akrum Wadley to do what Saquon Barkley couldn’t do a week ago … light up the Buckeyes. They also let Nate Stanley feel comfortable in the pocket which contributed to his 226-yard, five touchdown day.
It’s not like the Hawkeyes overhauled their offensive line. This was, for the most part, the same group that played in front of Wadley when he averaged 0.8 yards per carry against Michigan State. But just like they’ve done on a consistent basis against a big team at home, they elevated their game and played up to their competition.
Iowa didn’t have any Playoff hopes coming into this game, but they’ll still take great satisfaction in knowing that they likely ended Ohio State’s.