1) Iowa (9-0, 5-0 Big 10): Just when you thought the Hawkeyes were going to break down and lose finally, they pull off another spectacular comeback. Once again this past weekend to the delight of fans throughout the state of Iowa, the Hawkeyes won to improve their record to 9-0. Iowa trailed Indiana at Kinnick Stadium by ten points entering the fourth quarter but outscored the Hoosiers 28-0 in the fourth quarter. The Hawkeyes remain at no. 4 in the nation as all three teams above them remain undefeated.
2) Penn State (8-1, 4-1 Big 10): The no. 11 Nitany Lions avoided a dangerous upset on Saturday as they knocked off Northwestern in Evanston, Illinois. The Wildcat's got off to an early start, and held a 13-10 lead at halftime. The second half however was all Penn State as the Nitany Lions who once trailed 13-10 scored 24 unanswered points to fend off the upset bid winning 34-13. Penn States chances of getting to Pasadena are still on the bubble. If Iowa we're to win out, along with Penn State running the table, both teams could be playing in Pasadena. This is because the BCS national championship game, along with the Rose Bowl game are both in Pasadena this bowl season.
3) Ohio State (7-2, 4-1 Big 10): The Buckeyes improved their overall record to 7-2 this week with a non conference victory over New Mexico State. The next two weeks however will be the big tests for Jim Tressels boys. This week Ohio State heads to Happy Valley to take on no. 11 Penn State in the ABC game of the week. After a tough game against Joe Paterno's club, next weeks match up is at home against no. 4 Iowa. If Brutus, and the Buckeys can get through the next three games without losing, they may be smelling the Roses.
4) Wisconsin (6-2, 3-2 Big 10): The Badgers finally got a convincing shutout to earn the no. 21 spot in the nation. The Badgers came out very well prepared for Purdue on Halloween in Madison. Despite consecutive losses before their bye beek, the Badgers proved that they are still a team to watch for. Wisconsin held a 24-0 lead at halftime, and never looked back winning 37-0 over the Boilermakers on Saturday. With this win the Badgers became bowl eligible, and secured no worse than a .500 regular season. If the Badgers play to their potential they should run the table, and finish 10-2, 6-2 in the Conference.
5) Minnesota (5-3, 3-3 Big 10): Despite the loss of Wide Receiver Eric Decker the Gophers proved that they can still score points. The Gophers who had been outscored 58-7 in their two previous conference games, knocked off Michigan State 42-34 Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota was led by Junior Quarterback Adam Weber who passed for 416 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception. In order to become bowl eligible the Gophers need just one more victory. This week Minnesota hosts Illinois whose only conference win came last Saturday over Michigan.
2) Penn State (8-1, 4-1 Big 10): The no. 11 Nitany Lions avoided a dangerous upset on Saturday as they knocked off Northwestern in Evanston, Illinois. The Wildcat's got off to an early start, and held a 13-10 lead at halftime. The second half however was all Penn State as the Nitany Lions who once trailed 13-10 scored 24 unanswered points to fend off the upset bid winning 34-13. Penn States chances of getting to Pasadena are still on the bubble. If Iowa we're to win out, along with Penn State running the table, both teams could be playing in Pasadena. This is because the BCS national championship game, along with the Rose Bowl game are both in Pasadena this bowl season.
3) Ohio State (7-2, 4-1 Big 10): The Buckeyes improved their overall record to 7-2 this week with a non conference victory over New Mexico State. The next two weeks however will be the big tests for Jim Tressels boys. This week Ohio State heads to Happy Valley to take on no. 11 Penn State in the ABC game of the week. After a tough game against Joe Paterno's club, next weeks match up is at home against no. 4 Iowa. If Brutus, and the Buckeys can get through the next three games without losing, they may be smelling the Roses.
4) Wisconsin (6-2, 3-2 Big 10): The Badgers finally got a convincing shutout to earn the no. 21 spot in the nation. The Badgers came out very well prepared for Purdue on Halloween in Madison. Despite consecutive losses before their bye beek, the Badgers proved that they are still a team to watch for. Wisconsin held a 24-0 lead at halftime, and never looked back winning 37-0 over the Boilermakers on Saturday. With this win the Badgers became bowl eligible, and secured no worse than a .500 regular season. If the Badgers play to their potential they should run the table, and finish 10-2, 6-2 in the Conference.
5) Minnesota (5-3, 3-3 Big 10): Despite the loss of Wide Receiver Eric Decker the Gophers proved that they can still score points. The Gophers who had been outscored 58-7 in their two previous conference games, knocked off Michigan State 42-34 Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota was led by Junior Quarterback Adam Weber who passed for 416 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception. In order to become bowl eligible the Gophers need just one more victory. This week Minnesota hosts Illinois whose only conference win came last Saturday over Michigan.
7) Northwestern (5-4, 2-3 Big 10): For the second week in a row the Wildcat's failed to hold onto a lead in the second half. Northwestern held the lead over no. 11 Penn State at halftime, but was outscored 24-0 in the second half. Close calls seem to be the story for a Wildcat team who has been just a step behind in many games this year. Despite the tough loss, Northwestern still has a chance to become bowl eligible with one more win. The best chance will come in two weeks when the Wildcats head to Champaign Illinois to take on the Fighting Illini.
8) Indiana (4-5, 1-4 Big 10): Despite holding a ten point lead entering the fourth quarter on Saturday, the Hoosiers could not finish once again. For the second straight week Indiana held a convincing lead, but could not seal the deal. In order for the Hoosiers to become bowl eligible they will need to beat at least one ranked team. Two of Indiana's last three games are against teams in the top 25. This weekend the Hoosiers host no. 21 Wisconsin, before heading to Happy Valley next week to take on no. 11 Penn State.
9) Purdue (3-6, 2-3 Big 10): Just when the Boilers get on a winning streak after wins against Ohio State, and Illinois they hit a road block. Purdue who had established itself as one of the conferences hottest teams the past two weeks was completely shut down on Saturday in Madison. The Boilers trailed 24-0 at halftime, and by the end of the game the Badgers shut out Purdue 37-0 for Wisconsin's first conference shutout since 1999.
10) Michigan (5-4, 1-4 Big 10): After starting the season at 4-0, the Wolverines have dropped four of their last five games. The most embarrassing loss so far was this past weekend to Illinois. Despite the loss this past weekend however, I still give the Wolverines the edge over the Fighting Illini because they did knock off no. 18 Notre Dame earlier this season. The Wolverines also nearly knocked off no. 4 Iowa a few weeks ago in Iowa City. Michigan needs just one victory to become bowl eligible, but two of its last three games are against ranked opponents. This week the Wolverines host Purdue, before heading to Madison to take on no. 21 Wisconsin. The final game of the year for Michigan is at home against no. 16 Ohio State.
11) Illinois (2-6, 1-5 Big 10): Despite a key victory for the Illini this past weekend, I still rank them eleventh in the conference. Illinois has shown an extreme lack in consistency this season, and has not won back to back games all year. The victory over Michigan was only Illinois second of the year, and their first in conference play. Despite starting the season 1-6 if somehow the Fighting Illini could miraculously win out they could become bowl eligible. If Illinois can play respectably in the remaining conference games, and play tough with no. 5 Cincinnati then I will give them a better placement in the conference rankings.
8) Indiana (4-5, 1-4 Big 10): Despite holding a ten point lead entering the fourth quarter on Saturday, the Hoosiers could not finish once again. For the second straight week Indiana held a convincing lead, but could not seal the deal. In order for the Hoosiers to become bowl eligible they will need to beat at least one ranked team. Two of Indiana's last three games are against teams in the top 25. This weekend the Hoosiers host no. 21 Wisconsin, before heading to Happy Valley next week to take on no. 11 Penn State.
9) Purdue (3-6, 2-3 Big 10): Just when the Boilers get on a winning streak after wins against Ohio State, and Illinois they hit a road block. Purdue who had established itself as one of the conferences hottest teams the past two weeks was completely shut down on Saturday in Madison. The Boilers trailed 24-0 at halftime, and by the end of the game the Badgers shut out Purdue 37-0 for Wisconsin's first conference shutout since 1999.
10) Michigan (5-4, 1-4 Big 10): After starting the season at 4-0, the Wolverines have dropped four of their last five games. The most embarrassing loss so far was this past weekend to Illinois. Despite the loss this past weekend however, I still give the Wolverines the edge over the Fighting Illini because they did knock off no. 18 Notre Dame earlier this season. The Wolverines also nearly knocked off no. 4 Iowa a few weeks ago in Iowa City. Michigan needs just one victory to become bowl eligible, but two of its last three games are against ranked opponents. This week the Wolverines host Purdue, before heading to Madison to take on no. 21 Wisconsin. The final game of the year for Michigan is at home against no. 16 Ohio State.
11) Illinois (2-6, 1-5 Big 10): Despite a key victory for the Illini this past weekend, I still rank them eleventh in the conference. Illinois has shown an extreme lack in consistency this season, and has not won back to back games all year. The victory over Michigan was only Illinois second of the year, and their first in conference play. Despite starting the season 1-6 if somehow the Fighting Illini could miraculously win out they could become bowl eligible. If Illinois can play respectably in the remaining conference games, and play tough with no. 5 Cincinnati then I will give them a better placement in the conference rankings.
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