Around the Big Ten: Week 8

How are we already halfway through the season?

Penn+State+running+back+Journey+Brown+%28left%29+and+offensive+lineman+C.J.+Thorpe+celebrate+a+touchdown+during+the+Iowa+football+game+against+Penn+State+in+Iowa+City+on+Saturday%2C+Oct.+12%2C+2019.+The+Nittany+Lions+defeated+the+Hawkeyes+17-12.

Katina Zentz

Penn State running back Journey Brown (left) and offensive lineman C.J. Thorpe celebrate a touchdown during the Iowa football game against Penn State in Iowa City on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. The Nittany Lions defeated the Hawkeyes 17-12.

Pete Ruden, Pregame Editor

Power Rankings

1. Ohio State

Stop me if you’ve seen Ohio State at No. 1 before.

2. Wisconsin

Who would’ve thought Jack Coan would be better than Alex Hornibrook. Probably a lot of people in Madison, that’s who.

3. Penn State

The Nittany Lions deserve this after going through a night game in Kinnick and winning.

4. Michigan

I heard Ann Arbor wasn’t a very nice lady, but after visiting Ann Arbor two weeks ago, I’m not convinced that’s true.

5. Minnesota

Last year, a member of the Pregame staff put Minnesota at No. 4 to start the season. Now, the Gophers are actually getting close to deserving that kind of praise.

6. Iowa

The offense might be broken, but for Hawkeye fans’ sakes, at least Iowa’s still better than Nebraska.

7. Michigan State

I’m not going to dock Michigan State for getting blanked by Wisconsin because it has happened to three other teams, too.

8. Indiana

The epitome of average just doing its thing. Good for the Hoosiers.

9. Nebraska

*Nebraska fans begin claiming 2020 title*

10. Purdue

Purdue’s leading passer and leading rusher had quite a day against Maryland last week. Good on the Boilermakers for not letting the losses of Elijah Sindelar and Rondale Moore hold them back too much.

11. Maryland

Remember when the Terrapins put up 142 points in the first two weeks. I don’t think they do, either.

12. Illinois

Illinois is finally moving up in the world.

13. Northwestern

Zero to 100 real quick? More like Big Ten West champs to No. 13 in the Pregame power rankings real quick.

14. Rutgers

What else can you expect when you play in New Jersey?

Big Ten Schedule

No. 4 Ohio State vs. Northwestern
Friday | 7:30 p.m. | FS1

No. 1 vs. No. 13 in our power rankings. I think we know which way this game’s going.

No. 23 Iowa vs. Purdue
11 a.m. | ESPN2

Finally, a game against a team that isn’t a top-four Big Ten program. Maybe the offense can get rolling in this one.

No. 6 Wisconsin vs. Illinois
11 a.m. | BTN

Wisconsin has posted quadruple the number of shutouts Ohio State has. I smell another one coming.

No. 20 Minnesota vs. Rutgers
2:30 p.m. | BTN

Minnesota will win because of Lil Yachty’s “Minnesota.” And because it’s good at beating inferior conference foes.

Indiana vs. Maryland
2:30 p.m. | BTN

Average vs. Mediocre. Which team wins that game? I’ll go with average.

No. 7 Penn State vs. No. 16 Michigan
6:30 p.m. | ABC

I guess we’ll see if there’s a difference between a road night game at Kinnick and a home night game at Beaver Stadium.