Rutgers-centric Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 8, 2019
By Ed Stein
9. Nebraska (4-3, 2-2), 8. Michigan State (4-3, 2-2)
Last Week: Both teams had bye weeks. This Week Indiana at Nebraska: The Cornhuskers have been a mid-pack team all season. They have beat the teams they should have while losing to the good ones. Which side of the coin Indiana is on remains to be seen. Huskers quarterback Adrian Martinez missed the Minnesota game two weeks ago with an injury and is still questionable this week.
This Week No. 6 Penn State at Michigan State: The Spartans continue their midseason gauntlet against Penn State. Three weeks ago it was Ohio State, two weeks ago, Wisconsin. In two weeks from Saturday MSU plays in-state rival Michigan. It’s hard to see Michigan State winning this week.
7. Indiana (5-2, 2-2)
Last Week: The Hoosiers went on the road and beat Maryland. They had to do it without starting QB Michael Penix Jr. for most of it as he left the game in the second quarter with an injury. Last season’s starter Peyton Ramsey came in and played very well, throwing for 193 yards and a touchdown with an additional 46 yards rushing. The defense forced two turnovers.
This Week Indiana at Nebraska: So far Indiana hasn’t beaten a good team this year but they have won five games. Their defense is good and Nebraska’s offense hasn’t shown much. It seems as though the Hoosiers are able to put up yards with either quarterback so it may not matter if Pennix plays or not. A win this week ups Indiana’s record to 6-2 and they could crack the Top-25.