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2019-11-13 13:56:231 Oct 2018 01:53 AM EST

-by Daniel Mogollon, Staff Writer; Image: Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan attempts pass against Penn State. (Image Source: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Big Ten rankings following Week 11:

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (1) 9-0 (6-0): Won vs. Maryland 73-14

Even without Chase Young the Buckeyes dominated the Terps, as the offense put up 705 yards. This week they are favored by over 50 points on the road in a B1G game.

What’s Next: @ Rutgers (3:30/BTN)

2. Penn State Nittany Lions (2) 8-1 (5-1): Lost @ Minnesota 31-26

What happened to Penn State’s vaunted defense? They couldn’t get to the quarterback (1 sack) or handle Minnesota’s (!!!) speed on the perimeter.  

What’s Next: vs. Indiana (12:00/ABC)

3. Michigan Wolverines (3) 7-2 (4-2): Open Week

A big key to Michigan’s turnaround has been protecting the football. The Wolverines haven’t turned the ball over in 11 quarters (17 fumbles, lost nine on the season).

What’s Next: vs. Michigan State (12:00/FOX)

4. Minnesota Golden Gophers (6) 9-0 (6-0): Won vs. Penn State 31-26

Minny played their best game of the season in their first win over a top-10 team since 2000, to improved to 9-0 for the first time since 1904. Can they back it up?   

What’s Next: @ Iowa (4:00/FOX)

5. Wisconsin Badgers (4) 7-2 (4-2): Won vs. Iowa 24-22

The Badgers snapped their losing streak and picked up a much-needed win to stay in the Big Ten West race. Now they need some help from the Hawkeyes this week.

What’s Next: @ Nebraska (12:00/BTN)

6. Iowa Hawkeyes (5) 6-3 (3-3): Lost @ Wisconsin 24-22

Iowa’s road woes against ranked teams continues, as does their inability to finish drives. Kicker Keith Duncan has made more FGs than he’s attempted PATs.        

What’s Next: vs. Minnesota (4:00/FOX)

7. Indiana Hoosiers (8) 7-2 (4-2): Open Week

One of the biggest winners in the B1G. IU cracked the top 25 for the first time 1994 to snap the longest-active streak of not being ranked among Power 5 schools.

What’s Next: @ Penn State (12:00/ABC)

8. Illinois Fighting Illini (9) 6-4 (4-3): Won vs. @ Michigan State 37-34

The Illini used a historic comeback, as they overcame a school-record 25-point deficit in East Lansing to become bowl eligible for the first time under Lovie Smith.

What’s Next: Open Week

9. Michigan State Spartans (7) 4-5 (2-4): Lost vs. Illinois 37-34

What’s happened to the Spartans? The defense allowed 27-fourth quarter points, which is the third-most by an FBS team this season, in their fourth-straight loss.

What’s Next: @ Michigan (12:00/FOX)

10. Nebraska Cornhuskers (10) 4-5 (2-4): Open Week

Nebraska has three games to get two wins and become bowl eligible, but in order to do so, the Huskers will have to pull off an upset of either Wisconsin or Iowa.

What’s Next: vs. Wisconsin (12:00/BTN)

11. Purdue Boilermakers (11) 4-6 (3-4): Won @ Northwestern 24-22

It doesn’t matter who’s under center, Brian Brohm is going to sling it. Freshman Aidan O’Connell attempted 50 passes, targeting David Bell (14 catches) 19 times.   

What’s Next: Open Week

12. Maryland Terrapins (12) 3-7 (1-6): Lost @ Ohio State 73-14

The Terps rushed for 62 yards in their loss at the ‘Shoe. They were out-rushed by OSU’s fourth-string running back, as four Buckeyes ran for over 75 yards.   

What’s Next: Open Week

13. Northwestern Wildcats (13) 1-8 (0-7): Lost vs. Purdue 24-22

The Wildcats scored a touchdown! After going over a month without crossing the goal line, Northwestern got in twice against Purdue but it still wasn’t enough.   

What’s Next: vs. Massachusetts (12:00/BTN)

14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (14) 2-7 (0-6): Open Week

It’s almost cruel to give Rutgers a week off to lick some of their wounds, only to return to face Ohio State. Their average B1G loss is by a whopping 37 points.  

What’s Next: vs. Ohio State (3:30/BTN)

Daniel Mogollon is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America. He is also a voter for the Thorpe and the Rotary Lombardi Award, as well as the Latino Sports MVP Awards.