Around the Big Ten | Matchups, power rankings for Week 12 of the college football season

Sports Editor Chloe Peterson previews this weekend’s Big Ten matchups and updates the DI’s power rankings.

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Jerod Ringwald

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day leads the Buckeyes onto the field during a football game between Iowa and No. 2 Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. The Buckeyes defeated the Hawkeyes, 54-10.

Chloe Peterson, Sports Editor
November 17, 2022

Power Rankings

  1. Ohio State — The Buckeyes are unshakeable.
  2. Michigan — Do you think Michigan feels slighted because it’s always behind Ohio State?
  3. Penn State — I truly have no thoughts about Penn State.
  4. Minnesota — Who can stop Minnesota, especially in subzero temperatures.
  5. Iowa — The Hawkeyes are zero to hero, just like Hercules
  6. Purdue — The train is working again.
  7. Michigan State — Remember when the Spartans were ranked? Good times.
  8. Illinois — Illinoisuhhhhh, what happenduhhhh?
  9. Wisconsin — The Bull will be back up for grabs next year, Badgers
  10. Maryland — East coast vibes don’t fit in the Big Ten.
  11. Nebraska — Corn!
  12. Rutgers — Why was Rutgers let into the conference again?
  13. Indiana — Maybe we should kick Indiana out of the Big Ten.
  14. Northwestern — I’m surprised Pat Fitzgerald hasn’t been fired yet.

Matchups

Michigan Stadium: No. 21 Illinois (7-3, 4-3) @ No. 3 Michigan (10-0, 7-0)

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m. on ABC | Line: MICH -18 | O/U: 43

Illinois’ hopes of a Big Ten West Division title will likely be dashed with an inevitable loss to Michigan this weekend — unless the Fighting Illini can somehow pull off a victory in the Big House.

Memorial Stadium: Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4) @ Nebraska (3-7, 2-5)

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPN | Line: WISC -13 | O/U: 39.5

I’ve always hated that there are three Memorial Stadiums in the Big Ten. What are we memorializing? But the recently Bull-less Badgers are heading to one of the three in Nebraska this weekend.

Ross-Ade Stadium: Northwestern (1-9, 1-6) @ Purdue (6-4, 4-3)

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m. FS1 | Line PUR -20 | O/U: 48

This will be Purdue’s first home game since the train stopped working against Iowa. Hopefully the Boilermakers’ train experts have figured that out by now.

Spartan Stadium: Indiana (3-7, 1-6) @ Michigan State (5-5, 3-4)

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m. on BTN | Line: MSU -10.5 | O/U: 48

Sign me up to watch the fourth 11 a.m. Big Ten game of the day. Michigan State could become bowl eligible, after all.

SECU Stadium: No. 2 Ohio State (10-0, 7-0) @ Maryland (6-4, 3-4)

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ABC | Line: OSU -27.5 | O/U: 64.5

How ever will Ohio State compete in what the totally hostile environment Maryland has? Oh wait. The Buckeyes will be fine on their trip to the East coast.

SHI Stadium: No. 14 Penn State (8-2, 5-2) @ Rutgers (4-6, 1-6)

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on BTN | Line: PSU -19.5 | O/U: 45

You’re telling me I could get a Big Ten Conference, late-season game ticket for just $37? Somebody get me a flight to Piscataway this second.

Huntington Bank Stadium: Minnesota (7-3, 4-3) @ Iowa (6-4, 4-3)

Where/when to watch: Saturday at 3 p.m. on FOX | Line: MINN -2.5 | O/U: 32.5

Minnesota could very easily go down the street and play at U.S. Bank Stadium, which has a roof. But nope, the Golden Gophers want everyone to suffer in the 15 degree temperatures on Saturday.