Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Week 5

With Ben presumed lost in the Scandinavian woods and being chased by a malevolent deity, I’ve got the Power Rankings this week.

And, honestly, before you read the rest of these power rankings, go add that movie I just linked to your bookmarks. I mean, that is if you like horror movies I guess. I can’t explain why I found that movie so fascinating. I’m not even sure it was good, it was just something I came across the other day on Netflix and I’m using Ben being in Europe as a peg for bringing your attention to this specific piece of cinema.

Hit me with some good supernatural horror movies in the comments, please.

ANYWAYS.

To the power rankings. Ohio State beat Penn State this week because of a bad play call on the part of the Nittany Lions. You’ve probably seen that before.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0)

As it turns out, Dwayne Haskins is quite good at the game of football. I really thought the Buckeyes were going to look better in this game, but it never happened.

As for Ohio State’s screen game, however... woah buddy was that impressive. I haven’t watched much of the Buckeyes this year, so I’m not sure how they were hiding that part of their offense, but Penn State was not ready.

Screens do take time to set up and can’t be done all in one week, but this is a dangerous part of their game that allowed them to squeak out a game they shouldn’t have won.

2. Penn State Nittany Lions (4-1, 1-1)

If not for a very questionable play call late against Ohio State... Penn State would be sitting at the top of the rankings.

Which reminds me, James Franklin needs his offensive coordinator back. Which he’s not getting, so he has to forage on alone. It’s not going well.

A lot of ink has been spilled on the play calling and decision making of this game. What’s being missed is that if Penn State gets that first down on their final drive, there is very little doubt the Nittany Lions win that game.

Penn State had put itself in the position to win the game. Say what you will about how everything else went in that game, but if the Nittany Lions get five yards, there’s very little chance they lose. That’s how close this game was.

It wouldn’t have taken much else to get into field goal range and how many times do you really see a kicker falter late in a game at home? I know it happens, but in that situation, in that moment, Penn State beats Ohio State.

It felt like the Buckeyes left too much time on the clock when they scored. With two minutes left, Penn State had its timeouts, had one of the best quarterbacks in the game, and had receivers who were catching the ball.

Sure, taking the ball of Trace McSorley’s had on the final play, but everything had been setup for them to win this game. They didn’t, and now will probably miss the college football playoff because of it.

3. Wisconsin Badgers (3-1, 1-1)

I’m still not over this.

4. Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1, 0-1)

Like one relatively minor thing from this game changes and Iowa’s unbeaten. Still not over this.

5. Michigan Wolverines (4-1, 2-0)

Kudos for scraping out a win against Northwestern despite being down 17-0? Admittedly, scraping out a win against Northwestern is not something Iowa did last year.

That said, I still don’t think Michigan is that good. Housing Nebraska doesn’t even count for, uh, anywhere near what housing a team like Illinois or Indiana would.

6. Michigan State (3-1, 1-0)

BEAT DIRECTIONAL MICHIGAN was the rally cry.

And beat DIRECTIONAL MICHIGAN, the Spartans did. Not by much, but a win’s a win against DIRECTIONAL MICHIGAN.

7. Maryland (3-1, 1-0)

I dunno if the Terps are good, but they haven’t done anything to say they aren’t better than half the Big Ten.

8. Northwestern (1-3, 1-1)

I don’t know. jNW shouldn’t have lost to Akron and shouldn’t have lost to Michigan. I think Patty Fitz turns this ship around. Say what you will, but he’s a pretty good coach.

Michigan isn’t BAD and nearly holding on against that team in a nice high school stadium means something, I guess.

9. Indiana Hoosiers (4-1, 1-1)

Good: Indiana beat rutger

Bad: It was by single digits

10. Purdue (2-3, 1-1)

Purdue got...

...

...

...

...back on the tracks this weekend.

11. Minnesota (3-1, 0-1)

It doesn’t matter what we think of them, I have a feeling they’re either going to win or lose by single digits to Iowa this week. I don’t have a pick yet, but I think it’s going to be close.

12. Illinois (2-2, 0-1)

I still can’t fathom how Penn State ended up with 63 points in that game. It boggles my mind.

13. rutger (1-4, 0-2)

It’s good they’re the scarlet knights, because they’ve been doing a lot bleeding.

14. Nebraska (0-2, 0-4)

Nebraska fans keep saying ‘talk your shit now, because it’ll be us talking shit when we get back’ like “getting back” is actually going to happen.