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Big Ten Power Rankings: Penn State, the East headline rankings

By Alec Whitaker

IPenn State's Kaytron Allen (13) runs during the second half of the Indiana versus Penn State football game at Memorial Stadium on Satruday, Nov. 5, 2022.Iu Psu Fb Allen 3
IPenn State's Kaytron Allen (13) runs during the second half of the Indiana versus Penn State football game at Memorial Stadium on Satruday, Nov. 5, 2022.Iu Psu Fb Allen 3 /
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Nov 5, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) catches a touchdown pass in front of Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Christian Braswell (6) during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) catches a touchdown pass in front of Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Christian Braswell (6) during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

4-1

4. Illinois (7-2, 4-2) Last week: 3

Illinois suffered a tough 23-15 loss at the hands of Michigan State on Saturday. The Fighting Illini actually put up 441 yards of total offense, but just couldn’t get the ball across the goal line. Tommy DeVito had a pretty solid day, going 25-37 for 288 yards and two touchdowns. Star running back Chase Brown also had 136 yards on the ground. This was just one of those games where the final score does not matchup with the box score. Illinois still controls its own destiny in the West, so although this loss stings, especially with how Michigan State had been playing, the Big Ten title is still there for the taking. The Illini need to make sure this loss does not snowball and come back next week ready to play.

3. Penn State (7-2, 4-2) Last week: 4

Penn State bounced back from the loss to Ohio State to crush Indiana 45-14. The game started off slow as the score was tied 7-7 after the first quarter. The freshmen running back duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen eventually took over as Allen had 158 yards from scrimmage with three touchdowns, while Singleton added 73 yards and a touchdown. The big story was the defense. After a rough showing in the fourth quarter against Ohio State, this unit forced three turnovers and six sacks, as the first-string unit allowed only seven points. The Nittany Lions have a legit chance to finish 10-2.

2. Michigan (9-0, 6-0) Last week: 2

It was another slow start for Michigan as it trailed Rutgers 17-14 at halftime. The Wolverines stormed back to score the last 38 points of the game and win 52-17. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards each had 109 rushing yards, while Corum scored two touchdowns as well. This duo continues to make Michigan one of the more dangerous teams in the nation. The defense stood up in the second half, allowing only 14 net rushing yards and forcing three turnovers. This is exactly what we expect the defending Big Ten champs to do to a team like Rutgers, and they did not disappoint.

1. Ohio State (9-0, 6-0) Last week: 1

Ohio State not only dealt with Northwestern on Saturday, but also gusty conditions. The wind made life hard on quarterback C.J. Stroud, but his Buckeyes still won 21-7. Stroud went just 10-26 for 76 yards but running back Miyan Willaims was there to save the day, rushing the ball 26 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. The slow start was understandable. The Buckeyes were coming off an emotional win over Penn State and the atmosphere at Northwestern was not nearly what it was in Happy Valley. It’s looking more and more likely that both Michigan and Ohio State will be 11-0 when they face off the final week of the season. That game will not only decide the Big Ten, but a College Football Playoff spot.

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