BIG TEN Power Rankings: Week 10
Rankings the Top 8 in the BIG TEN
Boston Mountain Publishing, Thursday, November, 3, 2022 9:35 AM
We have ranked the TOP 8 BIG TEN Teams through Week 9 and discuss their outlooks going forward.
BIG 1G TEAM POWER RANKINGS
Game of the Week
OHIO STATE 44 vs PENN STATE 31
Ohio State went into Happy Valley and came out with the win this past Saturday against the Nittany Lions. This was the Buckeyes toughest game to date. Penn State had a chance in this game, but turnovers cost them the upset opportunity.
Ohio State moves to 8-0 and Penn State drops to 6-2 on the year.
Heading into Week 10, the BIG TEN has 2 teams in the Top 10 and 4 teams in the Top 25.
Two teams are undefeated, both divisions are still up for grabs, and two players headline the Heisman race at this point in the 2022 season.
There are still several big games to be played over the next 4 weeks, even bigger than last weekend's headline matchup.
BIG TEN Top Games of the Week
IOWA @ PURDUE
MICHIGAN STATE @ ILLINIOS
#8 - IOWA HAWKEYES 4-4
WEST (2-3)
The Offense is middle to the bottom in most statistical categories in the Big Ten, so they will mostly rely on their defense here on out.
The Defense ranks 5th nationally allowing only 15.75 points per game, unfortunately they rank 4th in conference. They also rank 5th in the nation and 3rd in conference by only allowing 262 yards per game.
LB Jack Campbell leads the Defense, averaging 10.3 tackles per game for the Hawkeyes. He ranks #1 in conference and #14 in the nation.
LB Seth Benson ranks #9 in the Big Ten averaging 8.3 tackles per game.
Two tough games ahead for the Hawkeyes and both are on the road. They need to get one of these games to help secure an invitation to a bowl game. If they win either one, they should get to at least 6 wins on the year.
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Iowa
@ Purdue
Saturday November 12
Wisconsin
@ Iowa
#7 - MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS 5-3
WEST (2-3)
The Offense is rushing for an average 223.1 yards per game (2nd in conference), and the Defense is allowing 106.3 yards rushing per game (5th in conference).
The Defense is ranked 2nd in conference, only allowing 168.1 yards passing per game to go along with 9 INTs on the year.
Minnesota's next two games are winnable, and they are setting themselves up for a decent bowl game this year.
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Minnesota
@ Nebraska
Saturday November 12
Northwestern
@ Minnesota
#6 - MARYLAND TERRAPINS 6-2
EAST (3-2)
The Terrapins 2 losses on the season unfortunately came in conference games, one to Michigan by 7 and the other to Purdue by 2 points.
QB Taulia Tagovailoa leads the offense, passing for 285.9 yards per game to rank 3rd in conference. He completes 72.5% of his passes and has 2,001 yards passing to date. He returns to the lineup this weekend after missing the last couple weeks because of a knee injury he sustained against Indiana. He said earlier this week, "I had a good time recovering, rehab, and stuff like that. I feel good. I'm just ready to get back on the field with my brothers." Tagovailoa was named to the Davey O'Brien watch list which goes to the Top 40 QBs at this point in the season.
RB Roman Hemby leads the running game for Maryland, averaging 85.1 yards per game. He's averaging 6.5 yards per carry with 7 TDs on the year.
The next two games for the Terrapins will be tough matchups and they are both on the road. They go against Wisconsin and follow that with Penn State the next weekend.
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Maryland
@ Wisconsin
Saturday November 12
Maryland
@ Penn State
#5 - PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS 6-2
EAST (3-2)
Coming off two tough conference losses to Michigan and Ohio State over the last 3 weekends, Penn State travels to Indiana on Saturday to help their cause to secure a decent bowl game at the end of the year. Penn State looked better in the Ohio State game compared to the Michigan game. Their D line was run over by Michigan RB Blake Corum all day. They actually had a chance against Ohio State, but turnovers doomed them in, and they couldn't recover from the relentless Buckeye Offense.
Their Offense is ranked 4th in the conference averaging 33.1 points per game and the Defense gives up an average of 22 points per game.
RB Nicholas Singleton is leading the backfield, running for 75.8 yards per game with 7 TDs.
The schedule does get a little easier for Penn State to finish the regular season, but with losses to both teams atop the Big Ten East, they are just playing for a better bowl game at this point. The game with Maryland next weekend will be a good game to watch.
Upcoming Games:
Saturday November 5
Penn State
@ Indiana
Saturday November 12
Maryland
@ Penn State