Noel’s Power Rankings after Week 9

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  1. Ohio State (7-1)

Last Week: Defeated Penn State 33-24 

Buckeye freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson ran for 152 yards and a touchdown while the Buckeyes held off Penn State. After Penn State tied it 17-17 in the third quarter, the Buckeyes went on to outscore the Nittany Lions 16-7. 

Next Up: @Nebraska 

  1. Michigan State (8-0) 

Last Week: Defeated Michigan 37-33 

The Spartans told the nation that they are for real by knocking off their in-state rival. Having the best running back in the conference helps, Kenneth Walker III went off for 197 yards with five touchdowns 

Next Up: @Purdue 

  1. Michigan (7-1) 

Last Week: Lost to Michigan State 37-33

The Wolverines controlled the first 40 minutes of the game, leading Michigan State 30-14. Then the offense stalled and the defense couldn’t stop Kenneth Walker III. The Spartans outscored Michigan 23-3 in the last 18 minutes of the game. 

Next Up: Indiana 

  1. Minnesota (6-2) 

Last Week: Defeated Northwestern 41-14

Bucko Irving goes for 110 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, one of them being a 41-yard run that showcased his speed. Don’t look now, but the Gopher defense continues to get better and has the 8th best run defense in the nation. 

Next Up: Illinois 

  1. Wisconsin (5-3) 

Last Week: Defeated Iowa 27-7

The best-run defense resides in Madison, allowing a crazy 49.6 yards a game, which is almost 30 yards better than Georgia who is in second. The Badgers have now won the Heartland trophy eight out of the last ten years. 

Next Up: @Rutgers 

  1. Purdue (5-3) 

Last Week: Defeated Nebraska 28-23 

Running back Zander Horvath made his return after missing five games with a broken fibula. Aidan O’Connell throws for 233 yards and two touchdowns while wide receiver David Bell continues to show why he is one of the best in the conference with nine catches and 74 yards. Purdue moves within one win of bowl eligibility for the first time in four years. 

Next Up: Michigan State 

  1. Iowa (6-2)

Last Week: Lost to Wisconsin 27-7

The Hawkeye offense couldn’t get anything going against the Badgers. They finished with 24 yards rushing, 132 yards passing and three turnovers. Iowa has now lost two straight since being ranked second in the nation in mid-October. 

Next Up: Northwestern 

  1. Penn State (5-3) 

Last Week: Lost to Ohio State 33-24 

The Nittany Lions fought hard and scared Ohio State for the first time since their loss to Oregon in the second week of the season. Down by only three at the end of the third quarter, Penn State failed to score in the fourth quarter while holding the Buckeyes to only two field goals. 

Next Up: @Maryland

  1. Maryland (5-3) 

Last Week: Defeated Indiana 38-35

Maryland snaps a three-game losing streak with Taulia Tagovailoa leading the way, throwing for 419 yards and two touchdowns. Maryland is now one win away from being bowl eligible, which would be the first time since 2016. 

Next Up: Penn State

  1. Rutgers (4-4) 

Last Week: Defeated Illinois 20-14

Rutgers get their first Big Ten win as this one was pretty close to a “must-win” if the Scarlet Knights want to become bowl eligible. With two more wins needed, their remaining schedule is Wisconsin, Indiana, Penn State, and Maryland. 

Next Up: Wisconsin 

  1. Illinois (3-6) 

Last Week: Lost to Rutgers 20-14 

After running for 357 yards last week against Penn State, Illinois only managed 107 against Rutgers. Quarterback Brandon Peters started for injured Art Sitkowski and finished with 190 yards and two touchdowns. 

Next Up: @Minnesota 

  1. Nebraska (3-6) 

Last Week: Lost to Purdue 28-23 

Adrian Martinez threw a career-high four interceptions, with one of them being a pick-six and the Huskers’ nightmare season continues as they fall to dead last in the Big Ten West. Losers of three straight, Scott Frost drops to 5-18 in one-score games at Nebraska. 

Next Up: Ohio State 

  1. Northwestern (3-6)

Last Week: Lost to Minnesota 41-14 

Not much went right for the Wildcats who faced a red-hot Minnesota team. One positive could be Northwestern’s Evan Hull, who continues to run well this season. The Minnesota native ran for 107 yards on 15 attempts, averaging 7 yards per run against the Gophers. 

Next Up: Iowa

  1. Indiana (2-6) 

Last Week: Lost to Maryland 38-35

Good News: Indiana scored their most points since September 18th. Bad News: They are now the only Big Ten team to not win a conference game yet. 

Next Up:  @Michigan

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