Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 5

Week four in the Big Ten offered a whole lot of "crap" games, very little intrigue, and what should have been ten easy victories.

Leave it to Minnesota and Indiana to screw that formula up.

While the rest of the conference dispatched their mid-major opponents with relative ease (I'm looking disapprovingly in your direction, Zook), it was the conference bottom feeders that couldn't seal the deal on a perfect 10-0.

Want to know the good news?

The conference season starts this week, and with it comes the real meat of the season: rivalry games, top-25 match-ups, and good ol' fashioned conference hate week in and week out.In the coming weeks eight Big Ten teams will get a chance to kick Ohio State while its down, toy with Indiana's defense, watch Taylor Martinez run past them, and try to match the hate for Purdue that god must obviously harbor deep in his divine heart*. 

We've played the warm-up rounds, the only season that matters starts next Saturday.

*(Seriously, how else do you explain Purdue's terrible luck the last couple years?)

NR. Minnesota 1-3 (10)

Last Week: Lost to North Dakota State 37 - 24

I wish I had two sets of hands, so I could give Minnesota's loss to FCS North Dakota State four thumbs down.

As it is, Minnesota deserves to take a week off from being ranked after taking a week off from playing Division I football. If you don't agree, look at some of the facts presented in this handy list of incredible suckitude:

- North Dakota scored on drives of 65, 83, and 71 yards in the second quarter.

- North Dakota returned both its forced interceptions for touchdowns.

- Minnesota didn't force a NDSU fourth down until late in the third quarter. NDSU kicked a field goal.

- NDSU scored more points in the second quarter (28) than Minnesota would score all game (24).

- MarQueis Gray entered the game as the Big Ten's third leading rusher.  He was held to just 23 yards on 13 attempts while throwing for 53 yards on a completion rate of less than 50 percent.  Backup Max Shortell wasn't much better, going four of eight for 71 yards a touchdown and an interception.

- Minnesota gave up over nine yards per pass attempt and five yards per rush, didn't force a turnover, and let NDSU convert on two-thirds of its nine third down tries.

Thankfully for Jerry Kill's team, there are a couple positives.  Two Minnesota running backs gained over 70 yards on better than five yards per carry, including Donnell Kirkwood who added two touchdowns. And despite having lots of problems throwing the ball, Minnesota was able to convert almost two-thirds of its third down attempts.

Things could certainly be going better up in the great white north, but these kinds of growing pains are not unexpected after struggling through the near nuclear annihilation of the Tim Brewster era.  If Minnesota can continue to put together a solid rushing attack built around two dependable backs, the Gophers should at least be able to compete in a handful of Big Ten games this year.

That might not be much, but Minnesota has seen worse and can't be too picky about the small victories it gets to embrace.

Next Week: at Michigan; Noon, BTN

11. Indiana 1-3 (12)

Last Week: Lost to North Texas 24 - 21

Indiana might have had a chance last week had it not waited until the second half to start playing.

As it was the Hoosiers went down too far, too fast against North Texas, and despite a 21 point fourth quarter Indiana fell to 1-3 on the season and further diminished its already small chance at making a bowl game in Kevin Wilson's first year on the sideline.

After forcing two turnovers in the first quarter --- both fumbles by North Texas running back Lance Dunbar --- the Hoosier defense was almost powerless in the second as UNT marched up and down the field for three passing touchdowns and a commanding 21-0 lead heading in to halftime.  A third quarter field goal would be all UNT would need to seal the victory.

Defensively the Hoosiers bled yardage to the tune of ten yards per pass attempt and almost five yards per rush attempt for a total of 427 yards.  The lone positive came from the fact that Indiana was able to score a defensive touchdown, an interception return in the beginning of the fourth quarter to spark the rally that ultimately left Indiana three points short.

On offense it was the same old story: Indiana gained a ton of yardage through the air (354 yards) but with only average per attempt efficiency (6.8 ypa), while getting just 50 yards on the ground at less than two yards per carry.  Quarterback Edward Wright-Baker played the majority of the game but his 23 or 40 for 209 yards and an interception saw him pulled in favor of Dusty Kiel.  Kiel delivered with seven completions on twelve attempts for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

Indiana enters Big Ten play with just one win, no definitive answer quarterback, legitimate questions surrounding the ability of the running game to produce, and a defense that could easily give up 30 yards a game.  Only one thing in Bloomington is certain: this isn't where Kevin Wilson wanted to be at staring down October.

Next Week: vs. Penn State; Noon, ESPN

10. Purdue 2-1 (11)

Last Week: Bye

Purdue had the week off on Saturday, and moves up for the simple fact that its pretty hard to embarrass yourself against supposedly inferior competition when you are watching games from the couch.

The Boilermakers still have a number of offensive questions to answer on offense, but both by virtue of an extra win and somewhat respectable showings in all of its games, Purdue has separated itself from the slap fight for the title of conference's worst team.  Either that or Indiana and Minnesota have separated themselves.  At this point I don't think Danny Hope cares too much, as long as its his team that is most feasibly a bowl team out of the three.  After the last year Purdue has had, that was certainly not guaranteed.  

Next Week: vs. Notre Dame; 8:00pm, ESPN

9. Northwestern 2-1 (7)

Last Week: Bye

Northwestern moves down by virtue of not having played last week --- out of sight, our of mind --- as well as some clever use of the transitive property of college football on my part.

Northwestern lost to Army last week, and the week before that Army lost to San Diego State, which just lost to Michigan by three touchdowns.  The joy of the end of September in college football: coming up with simplistic conclusions based on long strings of shaky logic which are in turn based on small sample sizes and personal biases.

Never fear, Northwestern fans, for a savior is just about to cast off his crutches and swoop in to rescue you from another "Nrothwestern season".  With the return of Dan Persa the Wildcats once again have the chance to make some noise in the Big Ten, with the added bonus of saving one non-conference game for after his return.

It all starts next week, and Northwestern could make a big jump up the rankings with a win in Champaign against the fightin' Zooks.

Next Week: at Illinois; Noon, ESPN2

8. Penn State 3-1 (9)

Last Week: Beat Eastern Michigan 34 - 6

Penn State continued its search for a quarterback, only to realize that on the field, against Eastern Michigan is no place to look.

Matt McGloin won the latest battle between Nittany Lion signal callers.  After seemingly taking himself out of the running with a stat line of one for ten for zero yards against Alabama, McGloin carved up the Eagles secondary, missing on only three of his 17 pass attempts on his way to 220 yards and three touchdowns.  Rob Bolden had another typical Rob Bolden stat line completing just over 50 percent of his passes for 115 yards (8.8 ypa) with a touchdown and an interception.  Any chance for closure in this clash of the mediocre titans seems to be far off.

Elsewhere for the Nittany Lions, the running game failed to gain much traction, going for just 104 yards and 4.2 yards per carry.  Silas Redd had a disappointing day but still led Penn State with 48 yards.

Defensively, Penn State shut down EMU's bread and butter: the running game.  Eastern rushed for just 68 yards on 43 attempts (1.6 ypc) while losing two fumbles.  This comes after EMU had spent the early part of the season relying heavily on the run, and producing quality numbers.  However, the Eagles found a different way to be productive against PSU, going off for 202 yards passing on 18 of 31 attempts.

Overall, it was just what Penn State needed to finish up the non-conference season: an easy win to get to 3-1 entering Big Ten play.  Travelling to Indiana next week the Nittany Lions should be able to cruise to an easy win.

Finding an answer at quarterback?  That's the hard part.

Next Week: at Indiana; Noon, ESPN

7. Ohio State 3-1 (8)

Last Week: Beat Colorado 37 - 17

Elsewhere in quarterback schadenfreude, Ohio State hopes it found an answer to the question: do we have to depend on Joe Bauserman?

Apparently, no.

Braxton Miller got his first start against the Buffaloes and played well enough that the locals won't be calling for Bauserman's return anytime soon.  When asked about his nerves before the game, Miller said, "I slept pretty good.  I really didn't have any jitters at all," and was obviously cut off by the next question before he could finish with, "because we were playing Colorado."

Miller only completed five of his 13 passes for 83 total yards, but two of those passes went for touchdowns and Miller wasn't intercepted once.  On top of that, the freshman ran for another 83 yards on the ground.

Despite what looks like a comfortable win, this game is not reason to celebrate for the Buckeyes.  Colorado is in no sense of the word a good --- having lost 19 straight road games.  On top of that, the Buckeyes offense was fairly inefficient on its way to 37 points.  OSU only out-gained Colorado by 22 yards and completed less than half of its third down attempts (6 of 13).

The key to the lopsided score was Colorado's own inefficiency on offense.  The Buffaloes were just three of 13 on third down, and despite relying heavily on the passing game, the Buffs' picked up just over six yards per pass attempt.  Two turnovers were enough to drive the nail into the coffin the rest of the way.

Next week Ohio State gets its first Big Ten challenge as Michigan State comes to town.  The Spartans have a number of problems along the offensive line, but are good enough at the skill positions and on defense that Ohio State will need to play its absolute best to get the win.  After that we get to see just how much of a positive effect getting its suspended players back will have on Ohio State.

One thing we do know, Braxton Miller could use all the help he can get.

Next Week: vs. Michigan State; 3:30pm, ABC

6. Iowa 3-1 (6)

Last Week: Beat Louisiana-Monroe 45 - 17

Iowa's big three all had big games as the Hawkeyes rolled a battered Louisiana-Monroe team.It started on the ground with a James Vandenberg touchdown run of one yard on Iowa's first drive.  Vandenberg would rack up another three touchdowns through the air and 270 yards passing while completing two-thirds of his passes before all was said and done.  

His top target was unsurprisingly Marvin McNutt, who caught seven passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns.  When the Hawkeyes weren't throwing the ball it was Marcus Coker's turn to shine, and he did so with 113 yards and two touchdowns of his own on over six yards per carry.

Defensively the Hawkeyes forced Louisiana-Monroe to work for everything.  ULM was only able to rush for 59 yards on 30 carries --- a measly two yards per carry average --- and the passing yards were touch to come by as well with a yards per attempt average of just 6.7.

Iowa gets a week off to rest before the start of Big Ten play, and while the loss to Iowa State earlier in the year won't be easily forgotten, the Hawkeyes are looking like another possible contender for the Legends division title this year.

Next Week: Bye

5. Illinois 4-0 (3)

Last Week: Beat Western Michigan 23 - 20

It wasn't pretty, but the Fightin' Zooks survived another week to stay unbeaten.

The Illini put together almost 200 yards rushing the in the second half for a total of 296 on the day, on the way to controlling the ball and the game.  Troy Pollard led the way on the ground with 133 yards at almost ten yards per carry.  Freshman Donovann Young also cracked triple digits with 100 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown.

Nathan Scheelhaase wasn't his normal productive self on the ground --- just 40 yards on 17 carries --- but he was efficient through the air to the tune of 14 completions on 20 attempts for 133 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Despite gaining almost 300 yards on the ground the Illini were unable to shut the door on WMU because of the passing game.  Quarterback Alex Carder threw for 306 yards, two touchdowns and an interception at a 62 percent completion rate.  This allowed WMU to jump out to a 13-10 lead in the first half.

The Illinois defense can hang its hat on one thing: it shut down the run.  WMU was only able to get 35 yards on 21 attempts, and the low yards per attempt average (6.4) coupled with an inability to productively rush the ball hurt the Broncos third down conversion rate, a pitiful four of 15.

Illinois gets to continue its year long "Ron Zook Goodwill Tour" this week with a home game against Northwestern.  The difference between last years blowout and this years game --- other than the venue --- is that the Wildcats look to have Dan Persa back for the game.  

If Illinois can run as easily as it did against WMU --- and in the Northwestern game last year for that matter --- Persa might consider staying home. 

Next Week: vs. Northwestern; Noon, ESPN2

4. Michigan 4-0 (4)

Last Week: Beat San Diego State 28 - 7

Denard Robinson is an mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in dreadlocks.

The Michigan signal caller once again put up a jaw dropping performance on the ground, but his passing has left Michigan fans slack jawed for another reason.  Robinson rushed for 200 yards on 21 carries and scored the Wolverines' first three touchdowns --- including a 53 yard scamper on a speed option. Robinson consistently found space in the run game to exploit and made San Diego State pay for any missed assignments.  

However, when he dropped back to pass the tables turned.  Robinson was just eight of 17 passing and didn't break 100 yards --- throwing for just 93 --- while also throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns. While he was the victim of a couple drops, most of the incomplete passes were wildly inaccurate.

The Wolverines were fortunate that the defense was able to stop San Diego State so effectively, or the game could have gotten much tighter than the 14 point lead the Wolverines clung to for the majority of the fourth quarter.

The defense was able to keep running back Ronnie Hillman to 109 yards at just over five yards per carry and didn't give up a run longer than 30 yards.  Containing the big play on the ground kept Hillman and the rest of the running backs out of the end zone and helped the Wolverines recover three fumbles. These turnovers would be crucial as the Wolverines gave the ball back four times.

With the Big Ten season now here it is imperative that the Michigan passing offense find some way to be productive and efficient.  Robinson won't need to pass for 300 yards a game, but he has to complete a sufficient percentage of his limited attempts and cut down the turnovers.

If this doesn't happen --- no matter the defensive improvement we have witnessed this year --- the Wolverines are in line for another painful October.

Next Week: vs. Minnesota; Noon, BTN

3. Michigan State 3-1 (5)

Last Week: Beat Central Michigan 45 - 7

The Spartans bounced back from a tough loss to Notre Dame in impressive fashion by controlling every aspect of the game against Central Michigan.

Michigan State won the game first and foremost on defense, where the Spartans only allowed 112 total yards.  The pass defense is impressive based solely on the totals of 91 yards allowed at a rate of 36 percent, but add in four interceptions and you have a lock down performance in every aspect.

On the ground MSU was just as tenacious giving up only 21 yards on 18 attempts.  In fact, 15 of those yards came from CMU's second string quarterback, who, when he wasn't busy running for a team high 15 yards on two attempts, was throwing two interceptions on his four passing attempts.

Offensively the Spartans moved the ball at will, going for 284 yards passing (9.5 ypa) and 197 yards rushing (4.2 ypc).  Le'Veon Bell was the most productive on the ground, turning his eight carries into 81 yards and three touchdowns, and while Kirk Cousins was only 60 percent in the passing game, backup Andrew Maxwell was seven of eight.

After a deflating loss the Spartans needed a dominating win against the subpar Chips, but the offensive line problems don't seem to be going away anytime soon.  MSU only gained 4.2 yards per carry, with starter Edwin Baker held to 3.1 yards per carry on his 16 rushes.  If the Spartans can't open holes against the lowly Chips, it could signal a hard road ahead.

Ohio State's defense next week should be a good test.

Next Week: at Ohio State; 3:30pm, ABC

2. Nebraska 4-0 (2)

Last Week: Beat Wyoming 38 - 14

Nebraska is the same place it was last year at this time, undefeated in the non conference, led by a white hot dual threat quarterback putting up video game like numbers, and setting its sights on a conference title.  The only thing that has changed is the name on the trophy the Huskers are playing for.

Martinez wasn't his normal self on the ground against Wyoming, but he hardly needed to be.  First, he did plenty in the air, throwing for 157 yards and a touchdown.  But more importantly, Rex Burkhead turned 15 carries into 170 yards and two touchdowns as the Husker running game combined to put together a 333 yard, four touchdown game on 6.8 yards per carry.

Defensively the Huskers held Wyoming to under five yards per play for the game and only seven of 17 on third down.  Combined with an almost 200 yard differential in total yards, Wyoming was lucky to keep pace until the fourth quarter.

Now comes the first --- and biggest --- test of the Huskers season: a road trip to Camp Randall to play the Bandgers. This game will pit arguably the conference's best offense against its best defense in what could very well be a sneak peak at the conference championship game.  With a win Nebraska could instantly prove it is one of the top teams in its new conference, and possibly ignite a run to the BCS.

A loss will just make the Huskers that much more hungry to get to Indy in December.

Next Week: at Wisconsin; 8:00pm, ABC

1. Wisconsin 4-0 (1)

Last Week: Beat South Dakota 59 - 10

What is there to say about Wisconsin at this point that hasn't already been said?

The Badgers, averaging 48.5 points per game so far this season, have dismissed each of its weak non conference opponents with ease, and Saturday was no exception.

Just as we needed a list to appreciate just how bad Minnesota played this weekend, the only way to appreciate just how thoroughly dominating this Wisconsin win was is to lay out the facts and let them stand for themselves.  

25 - First downs the Badgers gained in the game, 16 more than they allowed.

12.8 - Yards per pass attempt, including Wisconsin's backup J. Brennan's two incomplete passes late in the game.

6 - Number of incomplete passes Russell Wilson threw in 25 attempts.  Half as many pass attempts (3) went for touchdowns.

4 - Number of Badgers that scored rushing touchdowns, including Montee Ball's game high two touchdowns.

7 - Catches it took Nick Toon to rack up 155 yards.  Two of which were touchdowns.

2.9, 3.4 - Yards per pass attempt and yards per rush that the Badger defense allowed.

At this point Wisconsin is the unquestioned top dog in the conference, despite the weak schedule. The Badgers have done everything necessary to stay in the top spot of the rankings.  If you play weak teams, you had better destroy them.  Mission accomplished.

Furthermore, Russell Wilson is looking like the Big Ten's best chance at a Heisman trophy.  His stat line of 19 for 25, 345 yards and three touchdowns puts the cap on an incredibly efficient and deadly non conference stretch for the transfer, who has shown an uncanny ability to pick up on and thrive in his new surroundings.

This Saturday marks the real test.  Can Wisconsin produce consistently against one of the best defenses in the Big Ten?  Is the defense capable of coming up with crucial stops in big games?  Is Russell Wilson really this good?

Look for your answers this Saturday night.  You know I will.

Next Week: vs. Nebraska; 8:00pm, ABC