Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon Ducks, Indiana Hoosiers avoid disaster in Week 11
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Just when you think college football can’t get any crazier, it does — especially in the Big Ten in Week 11.
In reality, there was one highly-anticipated matchup: the Oregon Ducks traveling to take on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Both entered the game with hopes of bolstering their College Football Playoff resume, with the Ducks at No. 9 in the debut rankings and the Hawkeyes at No. 20.
It was everything that was expected: physical, sloppy at times and hard-fought football. In the end, Oregon came away with the win thanks to a clutch drive from quarterback Dante Moore in the final minutes that led to a game-winning field goal. That followed up a 93-yard go-ahead drive that Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski engineered, in turn handing the Hawkeyes their third loss of the season and second in conference play.
But that wasn’t all.
Right before that game kicked off, the Indiana Hoosiers were in the midst of a classic with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Fighting for their first conference win and without their head coach and starting quarterback, the Nittany Lions gave the Hoosiers all they could handle. Yet Indiana came out on top due to a game-winning drive and incredible throw and catch for the final touchdown.
While those two games carried much of the intrigue this week in the Big Ten, what a terrific pair of games they were. And let’s not forget about Washington having to make a long flight back from Wisconsin after being handed a loss that will undoubtedly leave them unranked next week.
Without further ado, let’s get into our post-Week 11 Big Ten power rankings.
18) Purdue Boilermakers (2-8, 0-7)
Game Result: L 34-10 vs. Ohio State
Previous Ranking: 17
What’s Next: @ Washington
Analysis: The Boilermakers just don’t have what it takes to compete in the Big Ten. Even quarterback Ryan Browne, who’d been solid through the first two months of the season, has dropped off significantly. Albeit coming against the Buckeyes defense that challenges for the best in the country, but he went just 10-for-19 for 76 yards and an interception. Purdue stood no chance against Ohio State and likely won’t challenge Washington or Indiana either — likely making it the second straight season that the Boilermakers finish winless in conference play.
17) Michigan State Spartans (3-6, 0-6)
Game Result: Bye
Previous Ranking: 16
What’s Next: vs. Penn State
Analysis: It’s been a disaster in East Lansing this season, as quarterback Aidan Chiles has been a massive disappointment and head coach Jonathan Smith has yet to endear himself to the fan base. At 3-6, the Spartans have to win each of their final three games to avoid missing a bowl game four a fourth straight season. Right now, that seems like a very likely proposition.
16) Wisconsin Badgers (3-6, 1-5)
Game Result: W 13-10 vs. Washington
Previous Ranking: 18
What’s Next: @ Indiana
Analysis: The Badgers pulled off the upset of the week in the Big Ten, as they took down the 23rd-ranked Huskies thanks to muddying up the game to an extreme level. Freshman linebacker Cooper Catalano finished with 19 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss while fellow freshman linebacker Mason Posa 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Four Wisconsin players threw passes, as they combined to complete six of 18 passes for just 48 yards. The run game wasn’t much better, as it averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. It was a true standout defensive performance in Madison.
15) Maryland Terrapins (4-5, 1-5)
Game Result: L 35-20 vs. Rutgers
Previous Ranking: 14
What’s Next: @ Illinois
Analysis: Four wins to start the season was the prelude to five straight losses and the Terrapins having to make up ground in order to reach bowl eligibility as we sit in early November. True freshman quarterback Malik Washington, who’s been relatively solid this season, finished with under 100 passing yards and threw an interception. He did rush for 164 yards and a score, but it wasn’t enough to vault Maryland over Rutgers on the road.
14) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-5, 2-5)
Game Result: W 35-20 vs. Maryland
Previous Ranking: 15
What’s Next: Bye
Analysis: What a game it was for the Scarlet Knights’ trio of offensive stars in quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (13-for-20, 229 yards, four touchdowns), running back Antwan Raymond (41 carries for 240 yards and a touchdown) and wide receiver Ian Strong (five catches, 88 yards, three touchdowns). They got going in the second quarter, as they scored three touchdowns of their five touchdowns in that period. A victory over Ohio State or Penn State will vault Rutgers to bowl eligiblity.
13) UCLA Bruins (3-6, 3-3)
Game Result: L 28-21 vs. Nebraska
Previous Ranking: 12
What’s Next: @ Ohio State
Analysis: After winning three games in a row, the Bruins have now lost two consecutive games and find themselves on life support if they want to reach a bowl game. They’ll have to run through a gauntlet to do so: Ohio State, USC and Washington, who all entered the week ranked. The season was already a lost cause before UCLA’s mini run, but it’s definitely a lost cause after losing to Nebraska’s backup quarterback at home.
12) Penn State Nittany Lions (3-6, 0-6)
Game Result: L 27-24 vs. Indiana
Previous Ranking: 13
What’s Next: @ Michigan State
Analysis: The Nittany Lions fought extremely hard and looked to have the game in hand late before the Hoosiers snatched the victory away. Penn State’s first win in Big Ten play has evaded them as we enter mid November — who would’ve thought coming into the season that that would be the case? As far as reaching bowl eligibility, they’ll have to reel off three straight wins. The schedule is far from imposing, however, as they’ll take on Michigan State, Nebraska and Rutgers. If they play like they did on Saturday, it’s certainly possible.
11) Northwestern Wildcats (5-4, 3-3)
Game Result: L 38-17 vs. USC
Previous Ranking: 11
What’s Next: vs. Michigan
Analysis: The Wildcats proved once again on Friday night how low their ceiling is, as they just couldn’t keep up with USC. Quarterback Preston Stone threw for 150 yards and a touchdown — a nice stat line but far from what they would’ve needed to pull off the upset. They now have three games remaining in order to reach bowl eligibility after two straight losses, with their best shot likely being in two weeks against Minnesota.
10) Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-3, 4-2)
Game Result: Bye
Previous Ranking: 10
What’s Next: @ Oregon
Analysis: At 6-3 and with a bye week to prepare for a Friday night matchup with Oregon, Minnesota has a chance to make some real noise in Week 12. The front seven of the defense will have to be on their game, as the Ducks have built an identity of being a physical, power running team.
9) Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-3, 4-3)
Game Result: W 28-21 vs. UCLA
Previous Ranking: 9
What’s Next: Bye
Analysis: No Dylan Raiola, no problem for the Cornhuskers. Backup TJ Lateef was excellent as he filled in for Raiola, who will miss the rest of the season with a broken fibula. Lateef finished 13-for-15 with 205 yards and three touchdowns — two of which to running back Emmitt Johnson, who also had himself a night (232 total yards and three touchdowns). Though Nebraska may not have as high of a ceiling without Raiola, Lateef looks to be up to the job.
8) Illinois Fighting Illini (6-3, 3-3)
Game Result: Bye
Previous Ranking: 8
What’s Next: vs. Maryland
Analysis: Through 11 weeks, the Fighting Illini’s season has not gone the way they envisioned. Entering with playoff hopes, they have a .500 record in conference play with three games remaining. The good news is that all three are winnable, as they come against Maryland, Wisconsin and Northwestern, giving them a good chance to finish the regular season with nine wins. However, that’s right around where they’ve been in past years — just not quite good enough to compete with the best of the best in the Big Ten.
7) Washington Huskies (6-3, 3-3)
Game Result: L 13-10 vs. Wisconsin
Previous Ranking: 6
What’s Next: vs. Purdue
Analysis: What a disappointing way to go down for the Huskies. In a game in which Washington limited Wisconsin to just 48 passing yards, they couldn’t manage more than ten points and went scoreless in the first, third and fourth quarters. Part of that likely had to do with the absence of star running back Jonah Coleman, who was injured after recording five carries. It’s hard to drop Washington much further than one spot, as they dismantled Illinois early in the season. and are stuck in the in-between tier of the Big Ten.
6) Michigan Wolverines (7-2, 5-1)
Game Result: Bye
Previous Ranking: 5
What’s Next: @ Northwestern
Analysis: The Wolverines received crushing news that star running back Justice Haynes will undergo foot surgery and be forced to miss the rest of the season. For a team with a true freshman in Bryce Underwood at quarterback, the running game was ultra important. That will almost certainly take a step back without Haynes, hurting the Wolverines’ chances of continuing their playoff push. They’re very similar to Iowa, but the absence of Haynes is significant enough to drop them below the Hawkeyes who impressed in Week 11.
5) Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 4-2)
Game Result: L 18-16 vs. Oregon
Previous Ranking: 7
What’s Next: @ USC
Analysis: Many predicted it beforehand, but the Hawkeyes can certainly play with the big dogs. They forced Oregon to play their brand of football — and narrowly got beat. In reality, this game could’ve gone either way. An errant snap over the punter’s head that ended up being a safety proved to be the difference, as Iowa lost by two points. The margins are extremely small in order to pull off an upset. The positive is that Iowa will have another chance next week, as they’ll try to unseat USC in Los Angeles.
4) USC Trojans (7-2, 5-1)
Game Result: W 38-17 vs. Northwestern
Previous Ranking: 4
What’s Next: vs. Iowa
Analysis: After holding a 21-14 lead at halftime, the Trojans outscored the Wildcats 17-3 in the second half to secure their seventh victory of the season and keep them alive in the CFP race. Wide receiver Makai Lemon had a night, catching 11 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. He’s now up to 937 yards on the season and is a prime Biletnikoff Award candidate.
3) Oregon Ducks (8-1, 5-1)
Game Result: W 18-16 vs. Iowa
Previous Ranking: 3
What’s Next: vs. Minnesota
Analysis: In claiming the victory at Kinnick Stadium with injuries plaguing the offensive side of the ball, the Ducks greatly impressed on Saturday afternoon. It was a wet, sloppy, physical brand of football being played — something Iowa is much more accustomed to. But Oregon outlasted them thanks to the clutch play of quarterback Dante Moore and kicker Atticus Sappington, who was critical in knocking down three field goals. It wasn’t a convincing win at all, but it sure convinced the Ducks that they’re as physical as any team in the country and can win in a variety of ways.
2) Indiana Hoosiers (10-0, 7-0)
Game Result: W 27-24 vs. Penn State
Previous Ranking: 2
What’s Next: vs. Wisconsin
Analysis: It took everything that the Hoosiers had to pull a win out of their hat against Penn State in Death Valley. It looked bleak late in the fourth quarter before quarterback Fernando Mendoza had arguably his “Heisman Moment”: a third-and-goal lob to the back of the end zone to Omar Cooper Jr., who made a spectacular catch to keep his feet. The throw and catch couldn’t have been better and without it we’d be looking at a one-loss Indiana team. Great teams find ways to win, and that’s exactly what the Hoosiers did.
1) Ohio State Buckeyes (9-0, 6-0)
Game Result: W 34-10 vs. Purdue
Previous Ranking: 1
What’s Next: vs. UCLA
Analysis: Ohio State has faced little competition this season, with just the season-opener against Texas representing the only victory by less than 18 points. They cruised past Purdue in Week 11 and are on a crash course towards Indiana in the Big Ten championship. Quarterback Julian Sayin has been lights out all season long; if the season were to end today, his completion percentage of 80.8% would be a single-season record.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon Ducks pick up big win over Iowa
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