Around the Big Ten: Week 14
“Nothing surprising happened last week, but rivalry week is set to be a doozy.”
Illinois players break up a huddle before the game against Illinois in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, November 23, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Fighting Illini 19-10.
November 26, 2019
Big Ten power rankings
1. Ohio State
Chase Young has only played in nine games and still has 16.5 sacks this season.
2. Penn State
Losing to the No. 2 team on the road last week, and the opposing fans still rush the field. Feels bad.
3. Wisconsin
It’s a crime that Jonathan Taylor won’t win the Heisman this season.
4. Michigan
Mr. KhakiPants is on his revenge tour.
5. Iowa
The Hawkeye defense has only given up more than 20 points one time this season. That will be a challenge for Heisman candidate Adrian Martinez.
6. Minnesota
Illinois, Rutgers, and Maryland will be the only Big Ten teams to never have hosted College GameDay after Minnesota hosts the show this weekend.
7. Indiana
Illinois and Indiana really should play each other in a battle for the No. 7 spot.
8. Illinois
Someone finally brought Illinois back to Earth. Good timing, because it sure wasn’t going to be Northwestern to do it this week.
9. Michigan State
The Spartans are at five wins and get the chance to go to either the Pinstripe or Quick Lane Bowl. Very cool!
10. Purdue
My preseason pick to win the division has four wins.
11. Nebraska
People may forget, but Nebraska was ranked before the season started.
12. Maryland
People may forget, but Maryland was ranked at the beginning of the season.
13. Northwestern
Going from winning the Big Ten West last year to starting 0-8 in conference play in 2019.
14. Rutgers
Rutgers gave up 27 points to Michigan State last weekend, its least amount of points given up since UMass in Week 1.
Big Ten schedule
No. 17 Iowa at Nebraska
Friday, 1:30 p.m. | BTN
Phil Parker is going to crawl into the stands and steal children’s touchdown balloons.
Northwestern at Illinois
11 a.m. | FS1
The Land of Lincoln trophy is the Big Ten’s most slept on rivalry trophy.
Indiana at Purdue
11 a.m. | ESPN2
Sleeper-pick for most-heated rivalry in college football.
Rutgers at No. 8 Penn State
2:30 p.m. | BTN
Both of these teams combined still have fewer field goals this year than Iowa. #Sabermetrics
No. 2 Ohio State at No. 13 Michigan
2:30 p.m. | FS1
Actually the most-heated rivalry in college football. They ban the letter “M” in ColuXbus, for goodness sake.
No. 12 Wisconsin at No. 10 Minnesota
2:30 p.m. | ABC
Bucky and Goldy are the same animal, change my mind.