Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 9: Ohio State stays strong
Oct 24, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) attempts a catch against the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium. Northwestern defeated Nebraska 30-28. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to really knock the Indiana Hoosiers after they kept the game close against Michigan State this week, trailing by only five with under five minutes left in the game. However, a lack of concentration and ball control ultimately spoiled the hopes of an upset for the Hoosiers, losing 52-26.
One thing that was learned from that game on Indiana’s side of the field, Nate Sudfeld is the real deal. Although Michigan State’s secondary has been spotty this season, the senior quarterback still looked like an absolute stud and passed for over 300 yards and three touchdowns.
It seemed as if all the teams that needed a bye this week, got one. Minnesota is fresh off a blowout loss to Nebraska in week seven and promptly headed into the bye week looking for answers on both sides of the ball.
Jerry Kill is one of the best coaches in the conference, so you better believe he will have his team much more prepared and motivated after a week off. There’s no way the Golden Gophers should be underachieving this much.
If this hasn’t been a season of heartbreak for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, I don’t know what to call it. The 2015 season has already been one that Mike Riley would soon like to forget as the first-year coach has lost five games by a combined 13 points. In fact, four of those games happened to be losses of three or less points.
Losing to Northwestern on Saturday at home was difficult for the Cornhuskers, especially since they had a chance to tie, but failed a two-point conversion following a late fourth quarter touchdown. Tommy Armstrong is having a nice season, but it’s just so hard to believe this team is only 3-5. I’m going to venture to say this is the best 3-5 team in the nation.
Next: No. 8 Illinois - No. 6 Northwestern