Week Two: SpartyOnline BIG Ten Football Power Rankings
- SpartyOnline Writer
- Sep 13, 2016
- 3 min read
The front runners continued to impress this weekend. One more week to tune things up before heading into the Big Ten season.
#1 Ohio State
The Buckeyes could have the best defense in the conference. The OSU defense has not allowed a touchdown, while scoring three of their own in their two games.
#2 Iowa (tie)
The Hawkeyes seemed to have picked up where they left off last season pounding rival Iowa State 42-3. The big difference is QB CJ Beathard and the Hawks’ balanced attach. Unlike last season when Beathard played hurt, he is healthy this season and getting valuable reps.
#2 Wisconsin (tie)
You might have expected a letdown after the big win over LSU, but that wasn’t the case. The Badgers totally dominated lowly Akron, posting 586 yards of offense in a balanced attack, all the while commanding the ball close to 41 minutes. The defense, meanwhile, forced two turnovers. Wisconsin has one more warmup against Georgia State before opening the Big Ten season against MSU and then Michigan.
#4 Michigan State
The Spartans were idle and dropped two spots only because Iowa and Wisconsin played and continue to impress. Next up Notre Dame. Saturday should tell a lot about these Spartans.
#5 Nebraska
This could be the Huskers’ year. Nebraska has outscored their opponent 50-0 in their last two games. The biggest difference from last season is turnovers. Last season they were the worst team in the Big Ten. So far, not a problem this year.
#6 Michigan
The Wolverines looked impressive again after dominating once again one of the worst teams in the FBS. We saw this last year. Michigan climbed the rankings by trouncing cupcakes only to collapse once they got into the meat of their season. Michigan needs to prove they can beat Top 10 teams. We may have to wait until Wisconsin in week #5 to know if Michigan is real.
#7 Minnesota
Quarterback Mitch Leidner continues to impress completing 20 of 30 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns, while posting 592 yards of offense in the Gophers’ 58-28 win over Indiana State. Drew Wolitarsky, meanwhile, caught 8 passes for a career high 125 yards and two TD’s. Minnesota has a bye week next week.
#8 Penn State
Coach Dennis Franklin might want to re-think the wisdom of throwing a Hail Mary from the Pitt 31 on 2nd and 9 with 2:14 left on the clock with one time out. Down 42-36, there was plenty of time to score by calling three plays with much higher probability. Narduzzi’s Pitt defense is looking more and more like the Spartans. Obviously Franklin thought so too, and didn’t feel he could move on them. Franklin will regret letting this one slip away.
#9 Maryland
Last season QB Perry Hills threw an interception in every game. So far this season he hasn’t turned it over once. Hills threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns in Maryland’s 41-14 romp over FIU.
#10 Illinois
I know, the Illini took a drubbing, losing to North Carolina 48-23 on Saturday. This was only Lovie Smith’s second game. I still think Illinois will turn some heads by the end of the season. The other four teams at the bottom of the Big Ten aren’t doing any better. It doesn’t get any easier with Western Michigan coming to town next weekend.
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