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- Ohio State (8-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: #1
Buckeyes hang on in Lincoln after a strong performance behind wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had 15 receptions for 240 yards and one touchdown.
Next Up: Purdue
- Michigan State (8-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: #2
It’s a bottleneck between spots two through five in my opinion, but I think the Spartans still hold on to this spot after their first loss.
Next Up: Maryland
- Michigan (8-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: #3
Michigan responds well after their first loss with running back Hassan Haskins going for 168 yards and a touchdown
Next Up: @Penn State
- Wisconsin (6-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: #5
Wisconsin wins its fifth straight game as the Badger offense has seemed to find its groove at the right time of the season, having 579 total yards against Rutgers.
Next Up: Northwestern
- Purdue (6-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: #6
The Boilermakers beat their second Top 5 team in a month with a win against Michigan State. Aidan O’Connell throws for 536 yards with three touchdowns.
Next Up: @Ohio State
- Penn State (6-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: #8
It was the Sean Clifford/Jahan Dotson show as the two connected 11 times against Maryland. Clifford threw 363 yards and three touchdowns, while 242 yards and all three touchdowns went to Dotson.
Next Up: Michigan
- Iowa (7-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: #7
Quarterback Alex Padilla took over a banged-up Spencer Petras and led three scoring drives with Tyler Goodson running for 141 yards and a touchdown.
Next Up: Minnesota
- Minnesota (6-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: #4
Minnesota still controls its own destiny in the Big Ten West but losing to a team who were 14-point underdogs at home doesn’t make you feel all that good when your next game is in Iowa City.
Next Up: @Iowa
- Illinois (4-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: #11
Bret Bielema remains perfect against Minnesota, as he is now 8-0 all-time against the Gophers. Chase Brown runs for 147 yards against the second-best rush defense in the conference.
Next Up: Bye Week
- Maryland (5-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: #9
Maryland was in the game for the first three quarters, even tying it up 14-14 in the fourth quarter before Penn State would score 17 unanswered points and shut out the Terrapins.
Next Up: @Michigan State
- Nebraska (3-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: #12
With its fourth straight loss, Nebraska’s bowl drought will extend to five years, the longest bowl drought since 1966-61. The close loss to Ohio State was good enough to keep Scott Frost around apparently.
Next Up: Bye Week
- Northwestern (3-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: #13
Running back Evan Hull continues to shine as he led the team in rushing and receiving. Going for 41 yards rushing with six receptions for 89 yards.
Next Up: @Wisconsin
- Rutgers (4-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: #10
Not a good day for the Rutgers offense going against the best defense in the nation, finishing with 207 total yards and four turnovers. Their defense didn’t do much better, allowing 52 points.
Next Up: @Indiana
- Indiana (2-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: #14
One silver lining in this nightmare of a season for the Hoosiers is the play of freshman quarterback Donaven McCulley, who has shown glimpses of making some plays in the air and on the ground.
Next Up: Rutgers