Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 12: Michigan State rebounds

Nov 14, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Jordan Howard (8) runs for a touchdown during the second half at Memorial Stadium. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Indiana Hoosiers in overtime 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Another team that was mathematically eliminated from bowl contention this week was Purdue as the Boilermakers fell to 2-7, but lost a close contest against the No. 18 Northwestern Wildcats on the road.

David Blough had a solid game, passing for 287 yards and a touchdown, but ultimately, the game came down to the rushing attack for both sides. Purdue couldn’t get anything going on the ground while it also allowed the Wildcats to rack up 250 yards rushing.

OK, we learned a couple of things from Indiana‘s loss to Michigan on Saturday afternoon in Bloomington, Ind. One, Jordan Howard is one of the best running backs in the country and he has a future in the NFL. And two, the Hoosiers might be the best 4-6 team in the country.

Howard finished Saturday’s double-overtime loss to the Wolverines with 238 yards and two touchdowns, but the loss could be blamed on the Hoosiers’ secondary which allowed Jake Rudock — an average QB, at best — throw for 440 yards and six touchdowns.

The mantra of the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the past few weeks has to be “So close, yet so far.”

Hitting the road to take on undefeated and No. 5-ranked Iowa, the Golden Gophers stood very little chance to upset the Hawkeyes. However, Minnesota kept it close and lost by just five. This team is a few plays away from being 6-4 or even 7-3.

Three straight losses against ranked teams has taken its toll on the Gophers, though, as even a solid passing game from Mitch Leidner has gone to waste because of poor defense. The Golden Gophers have now lost to Michigan, Iowa and TCU this season by less than a touchdown each.

Next: No. 9 Illinois - No. 7 Penn State