Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 13: Michigan State reigns supreme

Nov 21, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Mitchell Paige (87) celebrates with wide receiver Ricky Jones (4) after a third quarter touchdown reception against the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium. Indiana Hoosiers defeated Maryland Terrapins 47-28. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue was faced with the tough task of hitting the road to take on the undefeated and red-hot Iowa Hawkeyes in week 12 and it ended just the way everyone thought it would — in blowout fashion in favor of Iowa.

Darrell Hazell and the Boilermakers are going to have a heck of a time trying to figure out who will be the starting quarterback next season as Austin Appleby took over for David Blough against the Hawkeyes and played well, completing 23-of-40 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown. Ultimately, it was the defense that couldn’t come up with necessary stops.

Sitting just one win away from becoming bowl eligible, the Illinois Fighting Illini needed to travel north to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers and try to steal a road win. However, that was not the case as the Gophers also needed a win to stay alive. Both teams are currently looking to win the last game of the year to make a bowl.

Wes Lunt is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the conference and this season has been a pleasant surprise for the Illini even though Tim Beckman was fired just a week before the year kicked off. Expect Illinois to only get stronger with a core of players who believe in each other. The Fighting Illini will need a win against No. 20 Northwestern at home this week to get in.

It’s about time. After starting the season 4-0, the Indiana Hoosiers have finally gotten their first Big Ten win after six consecutive losses. Indiana was on the verge of a huge win a week ago against Michigan that would have given them a ton of confidence, but it still worked out and the Hoosiers took it to Maryland on the road, 47-28, after trailing 21-10 following the first quarter.

Jordan Howard was limited to just three carries, but Nate Sudfeld stepped up to pass for 385 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. A win at Purdue next week would vault the Hoosiers to a bowl game — something that seemed like a guarantee about two months ago.

Next: No. 9 Minnesota - No. 7 Nebraska