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Big Ten Power Rankings: Penn State, Ohio State and Minnesota win big

By Alec Whitaker

Sep 24, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Central Michigan 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Central Michigan 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Purdue Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm reacts after Florida Atlantic Owls score during the NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue won 28-26.Pufaufb92422 Am16581
Purdue Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm reacts after Florida Atlantic Owls score during the NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue won 28-26.Pufaufb92422 Am16581 /

14-10.

14. Northwestern (1-3, 1-0) Last week: 13

After starting off the season with a win over Nebraska, Northwestern went on to lose all three of its out of conference games. Those games were against Duke, Southern  Illinois and Miami (OH) this past weekend. The Wildcats fell to Miami 17-14. The offense has been flat since the Nebraska game, with that unit not scoring more than 24 points in the last three games. The teams Northwestern has faced are not good either. It doesn’t get easier as the Wildcats head to Penn State this weekend.

13. Nebraska (1-3, 0-1) Last week: 14

Nebraska was on bye this week. The Cornhuskers earned the early bye because they played in Week Zero. Indiana is up next for Nebraska. Nebraska is currently a 6.5-point favorite, despite Indiana being 3-1. This is a must win game if the Huskers want to turn the season around.

12. Michigan State (2-2, 0-1) Last week: 7

Meet our big down slide of the week, Michigan State. The Spartans got rocked by Minnesota 34-7 on Saturday. The secondary is a mess as they allowed Tanner Morgan to go 23-26 for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Keep in mind, Morgan’s best receiver, Chris Autman-Bell, is out for the season. Payton Thorne had arguably his worst game as a Spartan, going 17-24 for just 132 yards and two interceptions. Michigan State was outgained 508 to 240 in this game. With matchups against solid passing teams like Ohio State, Michigan, Maryland and Penn State still to be played, this could get ugly for Michigan State.

11. Purdue (2-2, 0-1) Last week: 12

Purdue barely slipped by FAU 28-26 on Saturday. The reason for this was in part due to the fact that quarterback Aidan O’Connell did not suit up in this one. Backup Austin Burton played fine, completing 21 of 29 passes for 166 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The defense was the bigger concern, giving up 26 points and 419 yards to FAU. It’s not like some of that was done in garbage time either, as it was a back-and-forth game. The season started off with promise for the Boilermakers, but things are starting to turn south, especially if O’Connell stays out.

10. Indiana (3-1, 1-0) Last week: 9

Indiana suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday, losing 45-24 to Cincinnati. The Bearcats threw all over the Hoosiers, passing for 354 yards and four touchdowns. Indiana tried to keep pace offensively, but three turnovers ruined any chance of making this game competitive. Despite being 3-1, Indiana has a negative point differential of two points. They’ve slipped by some not so great teams, but the Big Ten East is full of talented teams. This could turn into another rough year for the Hoosiers.

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