Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 12: Michigan State rebounds
Nov 14, 2015; Bloomington, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines safety Delano Hill (44) celebrates with teammates after making the last defensive play of the game to give Michigan the victory against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Michigan defeats Indiana in double overtime 48-41. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
A week after getting injured and replaced by Zack Oliver, Northwestern’s freshman quarterback Clayton Thorson struggled mightily and was replaced yet again. It’s performances like this on Saturday against an inferior Purdue team that have people worried about the Wildcats’ big bowl hopes.
Luckily for the Wildcats, though, they have Justin Jackson. He rushed for over 100 yards yet again, racking up 117 and a touchdown on 24 carries. The defense and rushing attack is keeping Northwestern relevant.
Wisconsin’s shot of making the Big Ten title game rests solely on the shoulders of both of Iowa’s remaining opponents this season. Unfortunately for the Badgers, who were on a bye this week, they blew their opportunity to basically lock up the Big Ten West with a home win over Iowa a month ago.
That doesn’t mean the Badgers’ season is over, by any means, as a once-disappointing season could end up in a New Year’s Six bowl. Joel Stave will need to keep playing well and Corey Clement needs to shake off the rust — not like that will be a problem for the uber-talented running back.
It took some scrappy, desperate play from the Wolverines, but Michigan is now 8-2 on the year and just three yards away from being 6-4. I say this because ever since the Spartans’ miracle win over Michigan in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines have won two close games in which the opposition had a chance to tie or take the lead with no time left inside the Michigan five-yard-line — and failed.
The Wolverines keep finding a way to win, but the run defense was exploited a bit, allowing the Hoosiers’ Howard to rack up over 200 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Just keep winning, though.
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