Big Ten Power Rankings Pre-Conference Play
With the Big Ten season getting started this weekend it is time to take a look at where the teams stand. Every team has played at least three games to this point, and we are starting to get a good feel for who is a contender and who isn't.
Conference play is upon us. The most exciting football is yet to be played. Where does you you're team stand going into Big Ten play? Click through the slides to find out.
11. Minnesota Golden Gophers 1-3(0-0)
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It has been a tough road for Minnesota so far. The Golden Gophers are 1-3 going into Big Ten play and things don't get any easier from here on out. Minnesota has already lost to one MAC opponent (Northern Illinois) and one FCS opponent (South Dakota). Opening up the Big Ten season against Northwestern (4-0) does not offer the Gophers any breaks.
If the Gophers are going to gain any steam going into Big Ten play it will have to be behind senior quarterback Adam Weber. Weber has led the team to the 37th best pass offense in the country so far, but struggled in his only game against a BCS opponent (USC). If the offense expects to score points in Big Ten play, Weber will need to be on target and in control of the offense.
On the defensive side of the ball Minnesota has struggled even more. The Gophers are 94th in the country in scoring defense. With games coming up against Wisconsin and Ohio State that will need to improve fast if the Gophers have any hope of saving this season and making another bowl appearance.
10. Purdue Boilermakers 2-2(0-0)
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Purdue came into the season with hopes of getting back to a bowl game. However, things have taken a turn for the worse and the Boilermakers will be fighting an uphill battle to get into the post-season. There may not be a team in the Big Ten who has been hit harder with injuries. Purdue already lost their best running back and wide receiver. Now they will have to play without starting quarterback Robert Marve, who injured his leg in last weekends loss to Toledo.
Purdue has already lost to a struggling Notre Dame team and a MAC opponent as well. Now going into Big Ten play Purdue is forced to play with a new quarterback. Purdue has already struggled in the passing game so far this season, ranked 88th overall in passing yards. Don't expect that to get any better with a new starting QB. The Boilermakers may be forced to lean on their running game, led by Dan Dierking. Dierking has average 5.4 yards per carry so far this season and will need to do more of that to take pressure off the passing game. However, that may become a problem if Purdue becomes one dimensional.
Defensively, the Boilermakers haven't been very good either. Purdue gave up 378 yards of offense and 31 points to a Toledo team who was near the bottom of FBS in total offense going into the game. If Purdue expects to get their season on track and make a bowl game, they will have to improve everywhere on the field.
9. Indiana Hoosiers 3-0(0-0)
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Indiana comes into Big Ten play with high hopes and an undefeated record. The Hoosiers are led by Senior Quarterback Ben Chappell. Chappell and the Hoosiers have been running the pistol offense well so far this year and look to continue that going into the Big Ten season.
So why is Indiana ranked ninth?
Because they haven't played anybody yet. Indiana has been impressive so far, but that comes against by far the easiest non-conference schedule in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have beaten up on Akron (a below average MAC team), Towson (an FCS team), and Western Kentucky (about as close to another FCS opponent as you can get). Not only that, these teams are a combined 1-11 so far this season. Indiana will round out their brutal non-conference schedule against Arkansas State in three weeks.
That isn't the only thing that has the Hoosiers so low in this week's power rankings. The defense has been awful despite the competition so far. It isn't a stretch to think that defense will get worse when Indiana, you know, plays someone half way decent. If Indiana beats Michigan, we will talk about moving them up. For now, ninth it is.
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8. Illinois Fighting Illini 2-1(0-0)
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Illinois has played better than many thought they would going into this season. However, that does not change that this is still a young team with a ton of question marks. Illinois has not beaten a BCS opponent yet this season, and it won't be easy to do so in the first couple weeks of Big Ten play. The Fighting Illini open up the Big Ten season with No. 2 Ohio State, then travel to No. 22 Penn State and No. 24 Michigan State. It is easy to see how Illinois could soon be 2-4 and looking up in the Big Ten standings.
Illinois will bring a pretty strong defense into Big Ten play. They are going to need it because the offense has been about as one dimensional as offenses come so far this season. Illinois enters Big Ten play ranked 112 in passing offense. The running game has been good, but expect teams to load the box if Illinois cannot find some consistency through the air.
7. #22 Penn State Nittany Lions 3-1(0-0)
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I already know a lot of people are going to disagree with putting Penn State at number seven. They can move up, but right now I just don't see this as a great football team. Penn State came into the season having to replace a boat load of talent from an 11-2 team. For the first time under legendary head coach Joe Paterno the Nittany Lions are starting a true freshmen quarterback. The returns have been what you may expect. Penn State has been good on defense but the offense leaves a lot to be desired so far this season.
In their only true test of the season to date, Penn State only managed to score three points. Granted that was against #1 Alabama. That being said the Nittany Lions struggles on offense don't stop there. Penn State manged only 24 points against Kent State and failed to score a touchdown til the 4th quarter against Temple.
If Penn State is going to compete in the Big Ten this year they are going to have to lean on what has been a solid defense. The Nittany Lions are 8th overall in scoring defense, and will need to continue that into Big Ten play if they have hopes of competing.
6. Northwestern Wildcats 4-0(0-0)
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Northwestern enters Big Ten play sporting a 4-0 record and looking to get back to another bowl game. The Wildcats haven't been tested against great competition so far, but have played a couple of close games. Vanderbilt gave the Wildcats a run for their money in the season opener and Central Michigan gave them a scare last week.
Northwestern has showed a solid passing attack on the offensive side of the ball led by Senior Quarterback Dan Persa. However the running game has had trouble finding a consistent threat. Northwestern will need to improve on that going into the Big Ten season. The defense has been good so far, which will go a long way into helping the Wildcats to another solid season.
The Wildcats will benefit from a pretty easy schedule to open the Big Ten season. Look for Northwestern to be 6-0(2-0) going into their first true test of the season against Michigan State.
5. #19 Michigan Wolverines 4-0(0-0)
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Michigan is getting a lot of attention in the early season. The Wolverines are off to a 4-0 start for the 2nd consecutive year. Unlike last year, Michigan is led by a true dual-threat quarterback in Denard Robinson. Robinson has been impressive so far this season, leading the Big Ten in rushing while completing over 70% of his passes. This has powered Robinson to the top of many early Heisman Trophy list.
For all the success on the offensive side of the ball, the Wolverines have been horrible on defense. Michigan allowed over 500 yards against Notre Dame, and gave up 37 points to FCS opponent UMass. If it wasn't for the struggles on defense, Michigan would be 3rd in this weeks power rankings. However, the Wolverines will need to find some sort of solution on defense if they want to be serious contenders.
Look for Michigan to ride their high powered offense to a solid season, but not quite Big Ten title contention.
4. #24 Michigan State Spartans 4-0(0-0)
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It has been a roller coaster season so far for the Michigan State Spartans. Michigan State is 4-0, including a heart stomping overtime victory against Notre Dame. The Spartans ran a fake field goal in overtime for a touchdown to get the win. Shortly afterwards, head coach Mark Dantonio was in the hospital with a heart attack. Thankfully, Dantonio is ok, and will be coaching from the box for this weeks game against #11 Wisconsin.
Michigan State has been led by their rushing attack so far this season, expect that to continue going into Big Ten play. The running back duo of Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell has been one of the best in the country so far. Do not sleep on the passing attack though, which features Kirk Cousins at Quarterback.
If there is any weakness in this team it is the defense, despite being led by All Big Ten linebacker Greg Jones. Another question mark facing this Spartan team is the schedule to this point. Michigan State has played one of the easiest non-conference schedules in the Big Ten. It will be up to the Spartans to prove their worth this weekend against Wisconsin.
3. #17 Iowa Hawkeyes 3-1(0-0)
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Expectations are high for Iowa this season. Riding the momentum of a BCS Bowl victory last season, Iowa is expected to be in the thick of the fight for the Big Ten Championship.
Iowa's strength is a defense that returns 8 starters and ranks 5th overall in scoring defense so far this season. On offense the Hawkeyes are led by Quarterback Ricky Stanzi.
Iowa rolled through the first two games of their season before being beat on the road in Arizona. Iowa got back on track last week by pounding MAC conference opponent Ball State 45-0. Look for Iowa to be serious players in the Big Ten title picture.
2. #11 Wisconsin Badgers 4-0(0-0)
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Just like Iowa, Wisconsin has high hopes of competing for a Big Ten championship this year. The Badgers have rolled through their non-conference schedule 4-0 despite a scare at home against Arizona State.
Wisconsin is a tough physical team with a solid defense and running game. The Badger running game is led by Heisman Trophy candidate John Clay, who has already rushed for over 500 yards this season.
The Badgers open up the Big Ten season with a tough road game at #24 Michigan State. Look at that early test to see just how good Wisconsin is. If the Badgers win that game the stretch of two weeks where Wisconsin host #2 Ohio State and travels to #17 Iowa could determine the Big Ten Champion.
1. #2 Ohio State Buckeyes 4-0(0-0)
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No surprises here. Ohio State will not only be competing for the Big Ten championship but also the BCS National Championship this season. Ohio State is off and rolling to a 4-0 start including an impressive win over ACC Title contender Miami.
Ohio State will depend on a very strong defense this season to lead the way to a Big Ten and National title. The Buckeyes also feature a high powered offense, led by Terrelle Pryor. Ohio State can put up a lot of points, look no further than the 73 they dropped on Eastern Michigan last week as proof of that.
The one thing in the way of the Buckeyes is a Big Ten schedule which has them travel to both Iowa and Wisconsin. Those two huge road test will be what separates Ohio State from the rest.
Big Ten Power Rankings
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That is it for this weeks power rankings. It should be an exciting season of Big Ten Football. Check back for next weeks power rankings.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
