For a fourth straight week, we are updating our power rankings following a double-digit Michigan State loss.
The Spartans fell to the Buckeyes, 49-20, on Saturday. It wasn’t even that close either; Ohio State pulled its starters early in the second half.
With another tough loss for the Spartans, how low in our power rankings do we have Michigan State? See where I rank Michigan State and the rest of the Big Ten teams in this week’s Big Ten power rankings:
Northwestern
Record: 1-5 (1-2 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Wisconsin
Next game: at Maryland (Oct. 22)
Only one Big Ten team has a longer losing streak than Michigan State right now, and that’s Northwestern. The Wildcats were blown out by Wisconsin this weekend and appear destined for a winless finish to the rest of the season.
Rutgers
Record: 3-3 (0-3 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Nebraska
Next game: vs. Indiana (Oct. 22)
Rutgers dropped its third straight game, losing at home to Nebraska on Friday night. This was a game the Scarlet Knights desperately needed to reach bowl eligibility and now it appears they will not be bowling this postseason.
Indiana
Record: 3-3 (1-2 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Michigan
Next game: vs. Maryland (Oct. 15)
The Hoosiers played Michigan tight through the first half on Saturday; the game headed into the break tied. However, it went south in the second half with the Wolverines locking down Indiana en route to a three-touchdown win.
Iowa
Record: 3-3 (1-2 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss at Illinois
Next game: at Ohio State (Oct. 22)
Iowa’s defense failed to give up a touchdown this week against Illinois, but its offense also failed to reach the end zone. The Hawkeyes probably should be higher on this list due to their stellar defense, but I’m tired of how bad offensively they’ve been to expect anything out this squad this year.
Michigan State
Record: 2-4 (0-3 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Ohio State
Next game: vs. Wisconsin (Oct. 15)
The result against Ohio State this week was no surprise, so there is no reason to move the Spartans down at this point. They will be fighting for their postseason lives this next week against Wisconsin — this is one of the remaining games they can win to reach bowl eligibility.
Nebraska
Record: 3-3 (2-1 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Rutgers
Next game: at Purdue (Oct. 15)
Nebraska is 2-1 since firing Scott Frost. The Cornhuskers picked up their second straight win this past weekend. It wasn’t pretty, but Nebraska will not complain about any wins after how this season started. Nebraska has a sneaky-big game this week: a road trip to Purdue.
Wisconsin
Record: 3-3 (1-2 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Northwestern
Next game: at Michigan State (Oct. 15)
The Jim Leonhard era began with a convincing win over the lousy Wildcats of Northwestern. That game was exactly what the doctor ordered for the Badgers, who will need to duplicate that road effort at Michigan State this week.
Minnesota
Record: 4-1 (1-1 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Bye
Next game: at Illinois (Oct. 15)
Minnesota was off this week and looks to bounce back next week against Illinois. This matchup with the Fighting Illini will go a long way in deciding the Big Ten West Division race this fall.
Maryland
Record: 4-2 (1-2 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Loss vs. Purdue
Next game: at Indiana (Oct. 15)
Maryland took care of business as a home favorite against Michigan State but couldn’t do the same thing against Purdue this week. This was a narrow loss to the Boilermakers, so it’s only a slight drop for the Terps who remain in the top half of the Big Ten for now.
Illinois
Record: 5-1 (2-1 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win vs. Iowa
Next game: vs. Minnesota (Oct. 15)
Illinois passed another test on Saturday with an ugly win over Iowa. That’s now wins over Wisconsin and Iowa in back-to-back weeks, and Illinois will be the clear favorite in the West Division provided quarterback Tommy DeVito is not out long term. Without him, the Illini’s offense will struggle to have any balance against decent upcoming competition.
Purdue
Record: 4-2 (2-1 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Maryland
Next game: vs. Nebraska (Oct. 15)
I was high on the Boilermakers entering the season, and they are finally starting to live up to my preseason expectations. Purdue has back-to-back road wins in conference play and has a prime-time matchup against the surging Cornhuskers on deck this week. Keep an eye on the Boilermakers.
Penn State
Record: 5-0 (2-0 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Bye
Next game: at Michigan (Oct. 15)
The Nittany Lions were off this week and hopefully used the extra week of preparation wisely with a tough game at Michigan looming. The battle between Michigan-Penn State next week will tell us who is the true top competitor to dethrone Ohio State as the league’s top team this year.
Michigan
Record: 6-0 (3-0 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Indiana
Next game: vs. Penn State (Oct. 15)
It was a sloppy game, but Michigan prevailed again this week. The Wolverines remain the second-best team in our power rankings but the gap between them and Ohio State continues to grow, in my opinion.
Ohio State
Record: 6-0 (3-0 in Big Ten)
This week’s result: Win at Michigan State
Next game: vs. Iowa (Oct. 22)
Ohio State left home for the first time this year but it didn’t matter. The Buckeyes were unstoppable against the Spartans and made it look easy as they cruised to another blowout victory.
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