Rutgers-centric Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 10, 2019
By Ed Stein
This week Empire Writes Back continues our Big Ten Football Power Rankings (with a Rutgers twist). Not many surprises this time, but some teams are closing in on Bowl eligibility.
Welcome to the next edition of our Big Ten Power Rankings. Now through the end of November, we will do this on a weekly basis. The conference finished Week 10 of the 2019 season with six Top 25 teams, which includes two in the top four of the College Football Playoff Rankings, as well as three undefeated teams. As of now, the Big Ten will have something to say about who gets into the College Football Playoff in January.
Only eight teams were in action last week. Four of last week’s top five schools didn’t play. There is some movement among the pack of teams trying to chase down the leaders. As of now, seven teams have qualified for bowl games, one team is a win away, and two more need a pair of victories to claim a spot.
14. Northwestern Wildcats (1-7 overall, 0-6 Big Ten)
Last Week: Northwestern couldn’t stop Indiana’s offense in a 34-3 loss.
This Week: Purdue comes to town and the Wildcats have a shot. Some betting sites have Northwestern as the favorites.
13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-7, 0-6)
Last Week: It was more of the same old thing for the Scarlet Knights last week as they lost at Illinois 34-10. Surprisingly, it was a tie game at the midway point. Rutgers dug themselves a 10-0 hole in the first quarter but rallied back in the second to score 10 of their own. Maligned Rutgers quarterback Johnny Langan may have had his season highlight on a 31-yard touchdown pass to Mohamed Jabbie.
It all fell apart for RU in the second half. Lovie Smith‘s Fighting Illini defense came up big when they needed to. They had two defensive touchdowns (a fumble return, and a pick-six) and another fumble recovery that set the offense up for a touchdown. What can you say about the Scarlet Knights other than they find new and creative ways to blow themselves up.
This Week: Bye