Big Ten Power Rankings - Week Twelve

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

1. Penn State (1) 10-1 W: 34-7 vs. Indiana
It took a while--half of a game to be exact--for Penn State to shake the ill-effects of their disappointing loss last week. Indiana hung around and trailed only 10-7 at half-time, but salvaged only one first down in the second half against the tightened up Nittany Lions’ defense. The offense has been less than impressive two weeks running now, but Deon Butler still managed to break the school record of receptions (167) and Derek Williams added two scores of his own. The Penn State hog mollies up front need to shore up their game if they plan on celebrating a Big Ten championship and trip to the Rose Bowl.

2. Ohio State (2) 9-2 W: 30-20 at Illinois
By far and away the Big Ten’s hottest team put away memories of last year’s upset win by Illinois in Columbus, which dashed the Buckeyes’ undefeated season. As predicted under blustery winter conditions, Ohio State took to the ground and ran through, around, and over Illini defenders. Beanie Wells and Terrelle Pryor cashed in on rushing scores while gaining 143 and 110 yards on the ground, respectively. “The Game” is what’s left for Ohio State to complete their season turnaround and hopes for a share of the Big Ten crown.

3. Michigan State (3) 10-2 BYE
Michigan State is holding strong during the bye week; they cannot afford what teams have grown accustomed to this year – the post-bye week blues--as they head into their “Big Ten Championship Game”, rivalry game, and capstone to a brilliant Spartan season. Onward to Happy Valley.

4. Iowa (4) 7-4 W: 22-17 vs. Purdue
Rushing and defense. That’s the Hawkeye recipe and it continues to work. This week, Shonn Greene did not reach the 100-yard rushing plateau; he eclipsed 200 (211 yards, two touchdowns) en route to Iowa’s 248-yard rushing performance. Defensive tackle Mitch King sacked Curis Painter late, and safety Pat Angerer’s interception help stave off a late Purdue charge. After a three-game skid, Iowa has won four of its last five, including the upset over then third-ranked Penn State. With a win at Minnesota and a Northwestern loss, the Hawkeyes can finish their season on a great upswing and sole possession of fourth place in the conference.

5. Northwestern (5) 8-3 W: 21-14 at Michigan
Snow, wind, cold, the Big House, whatever. Down 14-7 at the half, Northwestern posted touchdowns on their next two possessions to finish off the scoring and the Wolverines. The Wildcats can now celebrate their first eight-win season since 2000, the last time they beat Michigan. If Northwestern holds off Illinois next week, they will take over fourth in the conference with a nine-win season.

6. Wisconsin (7) 6-5 W: 35-32 vs. Minnesota
Surprisingly, Minnesota limited the Badgers’ backfield to only 116 yards, but Wisconsin was still able to punch it in on the ground three times (Hill two, Clay one) in their come from behind victory. The defense clamped down on Minnesota, forcing two safeties and allowing only two scoring drives (one touchdown, one field goal) in the second half. The Badgers can congratulate themselves for becoming bowl eligible and scheduling Cal Poly to end the year for a seven-win season.

7. Minnesota (6) 7-4 L: 35-32 at Wisconsin
After their brilliant 7-1 start, the Gophers have stumbled in their last three. Football is a team sport, but wide receiver Eric Decker’s miss on a Weber pass (returned for a touchdown by Northwestern) followed by getting knocked out of the next two games with an ankle injury has seemed to coincide with Minnesota’s demise. The Gophers (3-4) can redeem themselves by knocking off Iowa (4-3), who sits just above them in the conference standings, pushing up their bowl eligibility.

8. Illinois (8) 5-6 L: 30-20 vs. Ohio State
Illinois mistakes piled up too high against the wrong team. Poor special teams and two costly turnovers from Juice Williams stunted any chances for the underdogs to take down Ohio State. The offense put up 455 total yards (214 rushing, 241 passing), but the defense couldn’t stop the will of the Buckeyes rushing attack. The Illini must now fight to stave off bowl elimination next week against in-state rival Northwestern to finish off the season on a higher note.

9. Purdue (9) 3-8 L:22-17 at Iowa
The upside – Curtis Painter looked like he still has a little fight left in him (24-30, 190 yards, two touchdowns, one interception), throwing for a pair of touchdown passes in a game for the first time since Purdue took on Notre Dame, September 27th. The downside – their defense is what we thought it was – terrible stopping the run (248 yards). Purdue is one more loss away from the cellar of the Big Ten.

10. Michigan (10) 3-8 L: 21-14 vs. Northwestern
A season without back-to-back wins, the bowl and winning record streaks snapped, the game fumbled away in South Bend, the abysmal Toledo game, the lost winning streak against Penn State, a humbling loss to Michigan State and now their first ever eight loss season (thanks to Northwestern) can be redeemed…, maybe. It would be an improbable achievement—one that even a #2 ranked Michigan team could not accomplish–to beat Ohio State. Just win, Richy.

11. Indiana (11) 3-8 L: 34 -7 at Penn State
Simply overpowered by Penn State, Indiana tried their best to make the game interesting. Marcus Thigpen is credited with the Hoosiers’ only score of the game, a 57-yard scamper in the second to tie the game 7-7. But the defense then surrendered 27 straight to the Spread HD, defending a short field for most of the afternoon. On the bright side, the defense sacked Daryll Clark three times and forced three turnovers Indiana will try to o salvage something from the season as they close out at Purdue for their battle for the Old Oaken Bucket, defending it for only the third time this millennium.

Big Ten Power Rankings - Week Eleven

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

1. Penn State (1) 9-1 L: 24-23 at Iowa
Not the Nittany Lions’ best effort. A 30-mph headwind did not help matters, but seemed to bother Penn State more than Iowa. With the wind at their back in the third quarter, Penn State could not pull away; in the fourth quarter, Daryll Clark’s (9-23, 86 yards, one interception) third and long pass to Derrick Williams sailed high and was intercepted by Iowa, setting up their game-winning drive. All is not lost — just the Lions’ national championship hopes and an undefeated season…the Rose Bowl now looms as a disappointing consolation prize.

2. Ohio State (2) 8-2 W: 45-10 at Northwestern
Quarterback Terrelle Pryor looked calm and determined coming off the loss to Penn State. He kept plays alive with his feet and notched three scores with his arm. He was complemented nicely by the powerful running of Beanie Wells (28, 140 yards, two touchdowns) and a stout defense that gave up 294 yards and 10 points while taking the ball away three times. The Buckeyes are staring down another ten-win season (at Illinois, Michigan).

3. Michigan State (3) 9-2 W: 21-7 at Purdue
The Spartans handled Purdue for almost the game’s entirety, surrendering the sole Boilermaker touchdown with just under a minute left in the game. Michigan State, with Penn State’s loss and an extra game played, actually holds a half-game lead in the conference; their fate will likely be determined in their showdown with Penn State to end the season. Meanwhile, running back Javon Ringer (32, 121 yards, two touchdowns) should rest up after logging his 353rd carry of the season and FBS-leading 20th touchdown. Thumbs up to the defense for holding Purdue under 200 total yards.

4. Iowa (7) 6-4 W: 24-23 vs. Penn State
They did it. Coach Kirk Ferentz said before the game they needed to play perfect football to beat Penn State. It wasn’t quite perfect, but it was good enough. The Hawkeyes punched Penn State in the mouth immediately; pressuring Penn State’s passing attack and containing their rushing. Iowa limited Penn St. to almost half of their average offensive output (289 total yards). Daniel Murray ignored the gusty conditions and became the Iowa City hero, booting the game-winning field goal from 31 yards to seal the upset. Game balls go to Shonn Greene (tenth consecutive 100-yard rushing [28, 117 yards, two touchdowns]) and mother nature.

5. Northwestern (4) 7-3 L: 45-10 vs. Ohio State
The battle of quarterbacks between freshman Terrelle Pryor and back-up Mike Kafka (260 total yards, one touchdown) undoubtedly goes to the Buckeye. The Wildcats’ defense simply did not have an answer to Pryor’s fleet feet or Beanie Wells’ power running. Northwestern just looked outmatched against Ohio State (again), but can rebound next week on the road against Michigan.

6. Minnesota (5) 7-3 L: 29-6 vs. Michigan
Minnesota lost their leading receiver Eric Decker early in the game and could not find a way to recover offensively. Scoring in the first half certainly would have kept Minnesota in the game as their defense limited the Wolverines to five field goals in their first six scoring drives. Adam Weber had a tough go at it (13-24, 105 yards, one interception) and the Gophers were out-rushed 232-83.

7. Wisconsin (8) 5-5 W: 55-20 at Indiana
The three-headed monster of P.J. Hill, John Clay and David Gilreath combined for 406 yards and six touchdowns on the ground and the Badgers totaled 441 total rushing yards, tying the Memorial Stadium record. Wisconsin will host Minnesota and Cal Poly to finish off the season, both winnable games. Dustin Sherer (64-122, 770 yards, three touchdowns, four interceptions) and Allan Evridge (71-132, 949 yards, five touchdowns, five interceptions) have similar numbers at quarterback, so it seems the Badgers live and die by the run game. Run, Bucky, run!

8. Illinois (7) 5-5 L: 23-17 vs. Western Michigan
A bad hiccup on Illinois’ path toward bowl eligibility. Juice Williams threw two costly interceptions, which led to 14 Western Michigan points. A Toledo-Michigan replay? Like Michigan against Toledo’s Nick Moore, Illinois was unable to stop big, shifty receiver JeMarko Simmons, who gashed the Illini defense with 11 catches, 174 yards and a touchdown. Illinois now has two shots (Ohio State, at Northwestern) left at bowl eligibility, but may very well need both victories to find their way into the post-season.

9. Purdue (10) 3-7 L:21-7 vs. Michigan State
Purdue’s success against the Michigan team from Ann Arbor last week was squashed by the Michigan team from East Lansing this week. Dustin Siller and Kory Sheets combined for 182 yards and zero touchdowns (compared to last week – 461 yards, six touchdowns). They could not take advantage of four Spartans’ turnovers, while giving up a back-breaking interception returned for a score just before halftime. Bowl eligibility has now officially been squandered, so Purdue is left playing for Coach Joe Tiller, whose coaching pulse is down to two beats in 120 minutes.

10. Michigan (11) 3-7 W: 29-6 at Minnesota
Michigan sails up the rankings this week after keeping the Little Brown Jug in a surprising, yet impressive win over Minnesota. The defensive line implored the coaches to shift them back to a four-man front, which worked like a charm. After all this “change”, Michigan’s traditional base 4-2-5 contained Minnesota to six points (first half shutout), 83 yards rushing and 105 yards passing. Nick Sheridan took the offensive reins like a veteran (18-30, 203 yards, two touchdowns), but the Wolverines kept Minnesota off balance with 232 rushing yards. Third-string quarterback Justin Feagin lost his red-shirt but showed flashes of his running ability with 49 yards on seven carries. Potential energy yields kinetic energy in the presence of a catalyst. Was this Michigan’s catalyst?

11. Indiana (9) 3-7 L: 55-20 vs. Wisconsin
Holding onto conference’s worst slot is shaping up to be quite the battle. This week’s three-way scuffle leaves Indiana picking up the pieces after getting blown out by Wisconsin. The Hoosiers were unable to stop the Wisconsin ground attack, and needed a MASH unit to deal with their quarterback injuries. Thankfully, Purdue and Indiana square off at season’s end to settle this log-jam at the bottom of the conference on the field.

Big Ten Power Rankings - Week Ten

By JOHN SEARS - BIG TEN INSIDER

1. Penn State (1) 9-0 BYE
Penn State was in standby mode with the week off, awaiting a hard-nosed defense in Iowa. A walk in the park for the Lions? Hardly – the Hawkeyes are 36/44 (.818) when hosting teams at Kinnick stadium since 2002. And, Penn State has lost its last five to Iowa. The tester awaits.

2. Ohio State (2) 7-2 BYE
Week off for the Buckeyes so they can brush up on their geometric angles of pursuit at Northwestern. Ohio State has owned this rivalry, shutting down the Wildcats in their last three meetings by a combined 160-24 margin. But, Northwestern is coming off an improbable victory at Minnesota. The Buckeyes are 1-4 coming off bye weeks under Coach Jim Tressel, but are also 15-2 after coming off a loss.

3. Michigan State (4) 8-2 W: 25-24 vs. Wisconsin
A big come from behind win for the Spartans, proving they belong in the conversation when it comes to the elite in the Big Ten. A last second 44-yard field goal by Brett Swenson sealed the comeback over the Badgers. Blair White stepped up his game (seven catches, 164 yards) and Javon Ringer added in two touchdowns. OK, OK, I will finally give the Spartans some street cred. Purdue and Penn State are what’s left for at least a share of the Big Ten title.

4. Northwestern (7) 7-2 W: 24-17 at Minnesota
I get the feeling that Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka is to Minnesota what Bucky Dent was to the Boston Red Sox. Mike *Bleeping* Kafka torched the stout Gophers defense for 214 on the ground (NWU school record). Brendan Smith sealed the game with an interception returned for six; the Wildcats had a most unorthodox victory (injuries, rushing, tough opponent), but they keep clawing through the season.

5. Minnesota (3) 8-2 L: 24-17 vs. Northwestern
I previewed this game by saying the team with the most turnovers + sacks would win the game: they both finished with two sacks and two turnovers; but, Northwestern’s interception with seconds left on the clock was returned for the game-winning score. With the loss, the Gophers are essentially eliminated from the Big Ten title, but can still fight for a January bowl.

6. Illinois (8) 5-4) W: 27-24 vs. Iowa
A tough, hard-nosed football game, yet again coming down to last second heroics by the kicker. This time around, Illinois’ Matt Eller sent the crowd and the Illinois sideline into a frenzy with his game-winning 46-yard field goal. Coach Ron Zook says there’s still plenty to fight for and his team is looking to finish strong down the stretch. They have the opponents to prove themselves with (Ohio State, at Northwestern).

7. Iowa (5) 5-4 L: 27-24 at Illinois
Iowa showed plenty of heart in their last second loss to Illinois. Shonn Greene posted his ninth consecutive 100-yard rushing performance (21, 103, one touchdown) and helped set-up successful play-action passes (at least in the first half). After the Illini responded with half-time adjustments, Iowa’s offensive passing attack was stunted. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi kept the Hawkeyes alive until their final drive, and defensive tackle Mitch King was a stud, putting pressure on Juice Williams and the Illinois offense all afternoon. It was tough to see one team have to lose in this one.

8. Wisconsin (6) 4-5 L: 25-24 at Michigan State
The Badgers had this game in their fingertips (11-point lead in the fourth quarter) but let it slip away in a tough loss in East Lansing. Penalties killed Wisconsin down the stretch (12 penalties for 121 yards), and allowed the Spartans to triumph via a game-winning field goal.

9. Purdue (10) 3-6 W: 48-42 vs. Michigan
Justin Siller, in a gutsy performance (21-34, 266 yards, three touchdowns), notched his first career win as quarterback. The pressure on Siller was deflated by the impressive running by Kory Sheets (30 carries, 118 yards, three touchdowns). Hats off to Coach Joe Tiller for pulling out all the stops to punch in the game winner on a trick play and to bring that losing streak to a halt.

10. Indiana (9) 3-6 L: 37-34 vs. Central Michigan
Central Michigan QB Dan LeFevour put up huge numbers (35-53, 485 yards, four touchdowns), as expected, en route to a fourth quarter comeback victory. When he gets hot, it’s tough for any team to keep up, let alone Indiana. Oh wait, it was the Chips’ backup signal-caller, Brain Brunner? Oh boy…

11. Michigan (11) 2-7 L: 48-42 at Purdue
It’s all over. The winning record streak, the consecutive bowls streak, beating Purdue streak (since 2000). In retrospect, it was probably a bad time to bring in the stack (3-3-5) as the defense looked unprepared and ill-equipped to stop Kory Sheets from running wild all afternoon. Who knows if they would have given up 48 points if they had stayed with the 4-3? Hats off to frosh Martavious Odoms, frosh Darryl Stonum, and senior LaTerryal Savoy for posting their first career touchdowns.