Big Ten Power Rankings (Week 11): Big Ten East Depends on 'The Game' Again

Michigan's win over Penn State sets up a winner-take-all situation in The Game between the Wolverines and Ohio State in two weeks. But before jumping ahead, who's rising and who's falling in the Week 11 Big Ten power rankings?

It took 11 weeks, but Michigan finally defeated a formidable opponent. While the Wolverines will continue to face criticism for the sign-stealing scandal — and deservedly so — the "they haven't played anybody" narrative can be tossed out the window.

Because of Michigan's 24-15 win over Penn State and Ohio State's 38-3 victory over Michigan State, the Big Ten East officially comes down to "The Game." What better way for the season to end, right?

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though. That's still two Saturdays away. Before looking into the future, let's jump into the latest Big Ten power rankings through Week 11.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

• Records: 10-0 overall, 7-0 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Beat Michigan State 38-3 in Columbus, Ohio.
• This week: Minnesota at Ohio State, 4 p.m. ET. TV: Big Ten Network
• The skinny: Ohio State might not look like the most dominating team in the Big Ten, but the quality wins over Notre Dame and Penn State still mean something. Plus, Saturday's win over Michigan State could've gotten much uglier had Ryan Day not decided to pull his offensive starters after the first drive of the second half. Maybe the Buckeyes are finally starting to put it all together on that side of the football.

2. Michigan Wolverines

• Records: 10-0 overall, 7-0 in Big Ten. 
  
• Last week: Beat Penn State 24-15 in State College, Pa.
  
• This week: Michigan at Maryland, Noon ET. TV: FOX
• The skinny: Without Jim Harbaugh on the sideline, Michigan passed its first tough test of the 2023 season. The Wolverines took care of business against Penn State at Beaver Stadium. They did it with J.J. McCarthy only throwing eight passes, completing seven for 60 yards while watching Blake Corum pile up 145 yards and reach the end zone twice. So, yes, we can finally say Michigan is battle tested. 

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

• Records: 8-2 overall, 5-2 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Lost to Michigan 24-15 in State College, Pa.
  
• This week: Rutgers at Penn State, Noon ET. TV: FOX Sports 1
• The skinny: It's still the same ol', same ol' for Penn State. The Nittany Lions are still an incredibly talented football team, but they're incapable of getting over the hump. That's been the knock against James Franklin in his 10 seasons with the program, save the 2016 season he had Saquon Barkley, Trace McSorley and Co. Saturday's loss to Michigan was disappointing, but Penn State is still in line for another 10-win season.

4. Iowa Hawkeyes

• Records: 8-2 overall, 5-2 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Beat Rutgers 22-0 in Iowa City, Iowa
  
• This week: Illinois at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. ET. TV: FOX Sports 1
• The skinny: You may not believe this, but Iowa scored two whole touchdowns during last weekend's shutout win over Rutgers. Two! And because of their win over the Scarlet Knights, the Hawkeyes now have a stranglehold on the Big Ten West. If Iowa takes care of business against Illinois next week, Iowa heads back to the Big Ten Championship Game.

5. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Week 11 result: lost to Iowa 22-0

• Records: 6-4 overall, 3-4 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Lost to Iowa 22-0 in Iowa City, Iowa
  
• This week: Rutgers at Penn State, Noon ET. TV: FOX Sports 1
• The skinny: Rutgers was stymied by the Iowa defense on Saturday, but the Hawkeyes tend to do that to teams. Despite the ugly outing against Iowa, the Scarlet Knights have showed progress throughout the course of the season. Greg Schiano has this team trending in a positive direction. Can Rutgers close the year out strong against Penn State and Maryland?

6. Maryland Terrapins

Week 11 result: defeated Nebraska 13-10

• Records: 6-4 overall, 3-4 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Beat Nebraska 13-10 in Lincoln, Neb.
  
• This week: Michigan at Maryland, Noon ET. TV: FOX
• The skinny: For the first time in weeks, Maryland finally returned to the win column. A pair of interceptions by Tarheeb Still helped lift the Terrapins to a narrow win over Nebraska at Memorial Stadium, clinching bowl eligibility. The Terps had lost some serious mojo during a four-game stretch. Maybe getting back on the right side of the win column.

7. Nebraska Cornhuskers

• Records: 5-5 overall, 3-4 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Lost to Maryland 13-10 in Lincoln, Neb.
  
• This week: Nebraska at Wisconsin, 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: NBC
• The skinny: The Huskers are on an unfortunate two-game skid, having opportunities to beat Michigan State and Maryland but coming up short. Still, Matt Rhule has Nebraska in a great position to earn a bowl berth, a position not many thought it would be in during his first season. The defense continues to dominate while the offense continues its struggle with turnovers.

8. Northwestern Wildcats

• Records: 5-5 overall, 3-4 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Beat Wisconsin 24-10 in Madison, Wis.
• This week: Purdue at Northwestern, Noon ET. TV: Big Ten Network
• The skinny: Speaking of teams nobody thought would be in bowl contention, how about Northwestern? The Wildcats got an impressive victory over Wisconsin to pull within one win of the postseason. Given the turmoil this program faced in the offseason, it's a remarkable coaching job by David Braun. 

9. Illinois Fighting Illini

• Records: 5-5 overall, 3-4 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Beat Indiana 48-45 in overtime in Champaign, Ill.
• This week: Illinois at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. ET. TV: FOX Sports 1
• The skinny: It took some time, but Illinois continues to find ways to win. The Illini did it with backup quarterback John Paddock throwing for 507 yards, including a 21-yard pass to Isaiah Williams in overtime to get a victory over Indiana. Illinois has now won three of its last four games with Iowa and Northwestern remaining.

10. Wisconsin Badgers

• Records: 5-5 overall, 3-4 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Lost to Northwestern 24-10 in Madison, Wis.
• This week: Nebraska at Wisconsin, 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: NBC
• The skinny:  Things have gone downhill fast for Luke Fickell in his first season. Wisconsin had Tanner Mordecai back under center, but with Braelon Allen limited, the Badgers just have nowhere to turn offensively. Wisconsin has dropped three straight, and what once looked like a shot at a division title is now in the rearview mirror.

11. Minnesota Golden Gophers

• Records: 5-5 overall, 3-4 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Lost to Purdue 49-30 in West Lafayette, Ind.
• This week: Minnesota at Ohio State, 4 p.m. ET. TV: Big Ten Network
• The skinny:  On the topic of disappointment, P.J. Fleck finally got his first win over Iowa and followed it up with a home victory over Michigan State. But the last two weeks? Losses to Illinois and Purdue have derailed the Gophers' shot at a trip to Indianapolis. Life doesn't get any easier, as they'll close out the season against Ohio State and Wisconsin. There's a real possibility Minnesota is sitting at home this postseason.

12. Purdue Boilermakers

• Records: 3-7 overall, 2-5 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Beat Minnesota 49-30 in West Lafayette, Ind.
• This week: Purdue at Northwestern, Noon ET. TV: Big Ten Network
• The skinny: Purdue snapped a four-game losing streak with Saturday's dominating performance against Minnesota. The Boilermakers accounted for over 600 yards of offense, with Devin Mockobee running for 153 yards and Tyrone Tracy Jr. adding 122. The Boilermakers lost their shot at bowl eligibility but have a chance to close out the season with three straight wins.

13. Indiana Hoosiers

• Records: 3-7 overall, 1-6 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Lost to Illinois 48-45 in overtime in Champaign, Ill.
• This week: Michigan State at Indiana, Noon ET. TV: Big Ten Network
• The skinny:  Just one week ago, it felt like Indiana might have turned a corner. With three winnable games on the schedule, the Hoosiers still had a postseason shot. IU's offense finally showed signs of life, but the defense was absent for nearly the entire game. Now, the Hoosiers only hope to salvage the season would be by getting wins in back-to-back rivalry games against Michigan State and Purdue.

14. Michigan State (3-7, 1-6 B1G)

Week 11 result: lost to Ohio State 38-3

• Records: 3-7 overall, 1-6 in Big Ten.
  
• Last week: Lost to Ohio State 38-3 in Columbus, Ohio.
• This week: Michigan State at Indiana, Noon ET. TV: Big Ten Network
• The skinny: Nobody expected Michigan State to give Ohio State much of a fight ... and that's how it played out. The Spartans had no answer for the Buckeyes on either side of the football, failing to hit a double-digit point total for the fourth time this season.

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