Rutgers-centric Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 11, 2019
By Ed Stein
12. Maryland Terrapins (3-7, 1-6)
Last Week: Maryland faced last week what Rutgers gets this week, an onslaught. The Terrapins got the snot knocked out of them 73-14 at The Horseshoe. On the bright side, they were penalized only half as often as OSU.
This Week: Bye
11. Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-5, 2-4)
Last Week: Bye
This Week vs No. 15 Wisconsin: Nebraska’s thin Bowl hopes are on the line as they host upstart Wisconsin. A month ago, the Cornhuskers were 4-2 and 2-1 in the conference, it looked like they might even have a shot at the West Division title. Three losses in a row later, they need a huge upset to reach the postseason.
10. Michigan State Spartans (4-5, 2-4)
Last Week: The Spartans managed to pull defeat out of the jaws of victory. MSU entered the fourth quarter with 31-10 lead before Illinois rallied back. A late touchdown by Illinois sealed the Spartans fate 37-24.
This Week vs No. 14 Michigan: For Michigan State, throw out all the crap about it doesn’t matter what the records are when these two teams face each other. The real story here is a desperate team needing a big upset win, on the road, to save their season.
9. Purdue Boilermakers (4-6, 3-4)
Last Week: A slow start at Northwestern didn’t derail the Boilermakers from keeping their slim postseason chances alive. Quarterback Aidan O’Connell was 24-of-50 for 271 yards and a pair of touchdowns. J.D. Dellinger’s field goal with three seconds remaining put Purdue over the top for a 24-22 come from behind victory.
This Week: Bye.