Big Ten football power rankings after Week 13: Chaos below the top
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Thirteen weeks of the college football season are now complete, with only Rivalry Week and the conference championship games to go before the party known as the College Football Playoff. We now have a good bead on who the pretenders are (Clemson, LSU, and Penn State) and contenders (Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M). What we thought we knew at the beginning of the season was true in some cases, but clearly not in others. Now we are dealing with reality, not only across the country, but also in the Big Ten. Each week lets us know a little more about where things stand, and there is now a clear pecking order in the conference.
Each week, we share with you our weekly Big Ten football power rankings, and there are just a couple of weeks left before we start seeing some trophies and confetti. After another scintillating week, it still looks like Ohio State and Indiana are still the class of the league, but Oregon, Michigan are still hoping to have something to say about which teams make it to Indianapolis and who stays in the running for a College Football Playoff appearance. All four still have a shot.
Here's a look at our Big Ten power rankings after Week 13. As always, we start from No. 18 and make our way down to No. 1.
No. 18 – Purdue Boilermakers (2-9, 0-8 Big Ten)
LastWeek's Result: Off
Last Week Ranking: 18 ⇔ (no change)
Next Game: vs. Indiana
What goes into the ranking
Purdue didn't play this past week, but when last we saw the Boilermakers, it looked like they were tired and ready for the season to end. There's not much hope of beating Indiana next weekend, so it'll be two straight years of not having a conference win. Not ideal.
No. 17 – Michigan State Spartans (3-8, 0-8 Big Ten)
LastWeek's Result: Lost 20-17 at Iowa
Last Week Ranking: 17 ⇔ (no change)
Next Game: vs. Maryland
What goes into the ranking
Michigan State lost yet another competitive game. This team has talent, but it just doesn't know how to cut down on mistakes to win a game, especially when it comes to big moments. It's been a rough year, but there is a chance to finish the season with a win against a Maryland team that seems to have mailed it in next week.
No. 16 – Maryland Terrapins (4-7, 1-7 Big Ten)
LastWeek's Result: Lost 45-20 vs. Michigan
Last Week Ranking: 13 ⇩ (down three spots)
Next Game: at Michigan State
What goes into the ranking
The Terrapins lost interest in the season a few games back and seem to be getting worse by the week. It's the same song and dance we've seen under Mike Locksley, and I don't know how he survives this offseason if there's any desire to see an improvement with the direction of the program.
No. 15 – UCLA Bruins (3-8, 3-5 Big Ten)
Last Week's Result: Lost 48-14 vs. Washington
Last Week Ranking: 11 ⇩ (down four spots)
Next Game: at USC
What goes into the ranking
What a weird season in Westwood. Aside from the quarterback position, there's just not enough talent and depth on this roster currently to expect anything consistent to happen. Another blowout loss to likely end the team's residence at the Rose Bowl leaves a sour taste that'll be hard to wash away.
No. 14 – Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-6, 2-6 Big Ten)
Last Week's Result: Lost 42-9 at Ohio State
Last Week Ranking: 12 ⇩ (down two spots)
Next Game: vs. Penn State
What goes into the ranking
I am sure Greg Schiano was hoping to get his team to the postseason this year, and for a bit, it looked pretty good. However, the back-end of the schedule has been tough, and with how Penn State is playing now, it'll be an uphill climb to get that sixth win to be bowl-eligible. Better luck next year. There's just not the financial commitment to this program to ever expect Rutgers to be more than what it is.
No. 13 – Wisconsin Badgers (4-7, 2-6 Big Ten)
Last Week's Result: Won 27-10 vs. Illinois
Last Week Ranking: 16 ⇧ (up three spots)
Next Game: at Minnesota
What goes into the ranking
This Wisconsin team is a lot better squad than what we saw through the first half of the year, and if you are a Badger fan, you have to like the momentum Luke Fickell has this team finishing the year with. At this point, you like the chances of finishing with a win in Minneapolis, but we'll see on that and if this finishing kick can carry over to next season.
No. 12 – Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten)
LastWeek's Result: Lost 38-35 at Northwestern
Last Week Ranking: 9 ⇔ (down three spots)
Next Game: vs. Wisconsin
What goes into the ranking
Minnesota ruined the trend of winning close games and getting blown out in the rest after it lost by three points at Northwestern. P.J. Fleck has this team bowl-eligible, and I guess that's about all you can expect for where this program is. Fleck is a good coach, but it's going to be hard to contend for more than what we've seen until the recruiting and base of talent get better.
No. 11 – Northwestern Wildcats (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten)
LastGame Result: Won 38-35 vs. Minnesota
Last Week Ranking: 14 ⇧ (up three spots)
Next Game: at Illinois
What goes into the ranking
I'll be the first to admit that Northwestern has surprised me with its improvement throughout the year. Now, after another hard-fought, nip-and-tuck win against Minnesota, this team is somehow bowl-eligible. We seem to always underestimate this Wildcat program, and we'll probably do it again next year.
No. 10 – Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten)
LastWeek's Result: Lost 37-10 at Penn State
Last Week Ranking: 10 ⇔ (no change)
Next Game: vs. Iowa
What goes into the ranking
The Cornhuskers are another team that saw some promise result in a swan dive to end the season. It didn't help that quarterback Dylan Raiola went down with an injury, but the problems go deeper than that. Until the talent level can improve in Lincoln, this program will continue to be one that hopes to make the postseason, and that's about it. The glory days are long gone, and it's hard to see how they come back in today's day and age.
No. 9 – Illinois Fighting Illini (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten)
Last Week's Result: Lost 27-10 at Wisconsin
Last Week Ranking: 7 ⇩ (down two spots)
Next Game: vs. Northwestern
What goes into the ranking
Who saw last week's loss coming? The Illini have been so good against opponents it was supposed to beat this year, then laid an egg up in Madison. I guess, at the end of the day, with the expectations that were set for this team, it can only be looked at as an underperforming season.
No. 8 – Penn State Nittany Lions (5-6, 2-6 Big Ten)
LastGame Result: Won 37-10 vs. Nebraska
Last Week Ranking: 15 ⇧ (up seven spots)
Next Game: at Rutgers
What goes into the ranking
Penn State is finally starting to look like the team we all thought it was at the start of the year. Unfortunately, all of its goals are far from attainable, and the only thing left to play for is a chance to get to a bowl game with one more win. I like the Nittany Lions' chances on the road vs. Rutgers next week.
No. 7 – Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten)
LastWeek's Result: Won 20-17 vs. Michigan State
Last Week Ranking: 8 ⇧ (up one spot)
Next Game: at Nebraska
What goes into the ranking
Iowa won a very Iowa game on Saturday vs. Michigan State and got a field goal to walk it off in a low-scoring, defensive affair. The Hawkeyes are so close to still being alive for a lot of special things, but four losses by a combined 15 points dashed all of those hopes and dreams. Beat Nebraska next week, and it's still a solid season, which is what Iowa fans and administrators seem to aim for. Nothing more, nothing less.
No. 6 – Washington Huskies (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten)
LastGame Result: Won 48-14 at UCLA
Last Week Ranking: 6 ⇔ (no change)
Next Game: vs. Oregon
What goes into the ranking
Hey look! Washington had a dominant performance on the road for once. Jed Fisch has assembled some skilled players in Seattle, but the Huskies didn't quite make enough plays at key times to stay in contention for the Big Ten and beyond. Springing an upset of Oregon next week sure would make this season feel like a resounding success. A loss would be the exact opposite. The needle appears to be pointed up for the program either way.
No. 5 – Michigan Wolverines (9-2, 7-1 Big Ten)
LastWeek's Result: Won 45-20 at Maryland
Last Week Ranking: 5 ⇔ (no change)
Next Game: vs. Ohio State
What goes into the ranking
After sleepwalking through the last couple of weeks, Michigan finally put a good 60-minute game on tape. With the regression and disinterest we've seen from Maryland, though, it's hard to know if it was more the Terps or Wolverines that contributed to the result. Here we go with next week being huge for Michigan. Beat the Buckeyes and there's a decent chance of making the CFP. Lose, and well — it's off to Florida for the holidays.
No. 4 – USC Trojans (8-3, 6-2 Big Ten)
LastGame Result: Lost 42-27 at Oregon
Last Week Ranking: 4 ⇔ (no change)
Next Game: vs. UCLA
What goes into the ranking
USC has been an enigma this year. It has looked so good at times, especially on offense, but against the better teams in the league, there's a clear talent and skill gap that Lane Kiffin will need to close somehow. The clock is ticking because the Trojans should be competing for championships, not left on the sideline with better-than-average years piling up.
No. 3 – Oregon Ducks (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten)
LastWeek's Result: Won 42-27 vs. USC
Last Week Ranking: 3 ⇔ (no change)
Next Game: at Washington
What goes into the ranking
I'm not sure anyone wants to play Oregon right now, and I don't know what would happen at this point in the season if the Ducks were to rematch the Hoosiers. The Ducks still have a shot at Indy if they can win at Washington and then have Michigan upset Ohio State. Lose against the Huskies on the road and believe it or not, the College Football Playoff could be in jeopardy. I think Oregon still gets in, but nobody wants it to come to that.
No. 2 – Indiana Hoosiers (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten)
LastWeek's Result: Off
Last Week Ranking: 2 ⇔ (no change)
Next Game: at Purdue
What goes into the ranking
Make no mistake about the name on the front of the jersey, Indiana is a legitimate contender for the CFP national title. There's no way the Hoosiers lose to Purdue, so now we await who they'll be playing for a Big Ten title. We are all hoping it's the Buckeyes because what a matchup that would be.
No. 1 – Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten)
LastGame Result: Won 42-9 vs. Rutgers
Last Week Ranking: 1 ⇔ (no change)
Next Game: at Michigan
What went into the ranking
It's been a long time since we saw Ohio State break a sweat, but now comes the mental block party of the schedule. Can the Buckeyes finally get the Wolverine monkey off their backs and win up in Ann Arbor, or will the ghosts of the past four years haunt them again? It's officially Michigan week, and we are all here for it. No matter how it breaks, Ohio State has to beat Michigan to make the Big Ten Championship game.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Big Ten power rankings after Week 13: Rivalry Week to settle things
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