Rutgers-centric Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 7, 2019

Middle Class

Somewhere in between teams.

9. Indiana Hoosiers (4-2, 1-2)

Last Week: Indiana rolled against hapless Rutgers. Just under six minutes into the “contest”, the Hoosiers went up 21-0 and it was over. They dominated almost every phase of the game. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was 20 of 29 for 282 yards and three touchdown passes. Whop Philyor, caught 10 of his passes 182 yards and Stevie Scott III rushed for an additional 164.

This Week at Maryland: Indiana certainly has a good chance to win this game. They are a five-and-a-half point favorite despite playing on the road. A win in College Park, MD on Saturday puts the Hoosiers in bowl contention. Tom Allen and his staff are working hard to get there and winning this game puts the team one game away from eligibility.

8. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-3, 2-2), 7. Michigan State Spartans (4-3, 2-2)

Last Week: Nebraska took it on the chin at Minnesota, 34-7. After the home team scored the first 34 points, Nebraska finally got on the scoreboard with an 80-yard drive finished by a two-yard TD plunge by Dedrick Mills in the fourth quarter. The Spartans fared slightly worse losing 38-0 to undefeated Wisconsin. This Week: Both teams have a bye.

6. Iowa Hawkeyes (22nd Ranked, 4-2, 1-2)

Last Week: The Hawkeyes suffered a hard loss at home to Penn State 17-12. Iowa trailed the entire game and when they needed to make a third-down stop with 2:11 left in the game, the Hawkeyes couldn’t do it. Nate Stanley, Iowa’s senior quarterback, had his highest passing yard total of the season with 286 on 25 completions with a touchdown. Iowa’s pass defense held Penn State to just 117 yards through the air.

This week vs Purdue: The Hawkeyes host a desperate Purdue team. Expect the Boilermakers to come loaded for war because they have nothing to lose and a season to regain. Even so, Iowa’s defense is one of the Big Ten’s best and should be able to hold off their upstart visitors.