Big Ten power rankings, Week 11: Michigan humiliates Penn State

By Ethan Lee | Nov 5, 2018

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 03: Chase Winovich #15 of the Michigan Wolverines gets ready to lead the team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated Penn State 42-7. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

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ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 03: Penn State Nitty Lions quarterback Tommy Stevens (2) is sacked by Michigan Wolverines linebacker Khaleke Hudson (7) during a game between the Penn State Nittany Lions (14) and the Michigan Wolverines (5) on November 3, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

The Penn State Nittany Lions can’t seem to keep any momentum going for themselves this season. Any time this team takes a step forward, it immediately takes two to three backward. But, Penn State met up with Michigan this past weekend. It probably should have been expected given how well the Wolverines are playing right now.

All things considered, Penn State is a pretty good team. However, as evidenced by the game on Saturday, Penn State is clearly not a team that could realistically meet up with Michigan this season. This was supposed to be a year in which the Nittany Lions could do that, though. Getting blown out by 35 points on the road was a bad look for this team. Penn State will have a great opportunity to get some momentum back in its favor when it takes on Wisconsin this weekend.

Had Purdue not lost to Northwestern by four points at the beginning of the season, the Boilermakers would be leading the Big Ten West right now. Which I’m sure everyone expected that to be the game that truly decided which team would make it into the Big Ten Championship Game, right?

The Boilermakers are having a pretty good year and have bounced back from their early struggles. This is a team that is capable of taking down just about anyone in its path, provided that the opposing team tries to get into a high scoring shootout with Purdue. The Boilermakers a built to win track meets and that’s the trap that they tricked Iowa into on Saturday. The Hawkeyes came close, but Purdue got a solid win. Now, if the Boilermakers can win out against Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Indiana, they’ll end the year with an 8-4 record. That’s not absurd to predict for this group.

The Michigan State Spartans are good at smothering teams. They play great defense, run the ball fairly well, and will trap opponents in their own mistakes. Maryland wasn’t able to avoid making mistakes and Maryland lost. This team is a pretty good one and will be tough for any opponent during a bowl game. The Spartans might just be able to beat a mistake-prone Ohio State team this weekend, which would effectively lock up the Big Ten East for Michigan. That’d be a weird situation for the Spartans.

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