Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 14: Michigan State, Iowa are kings

Nov 28, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Austin Appleby (12) tries to avoid a sack by Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Clyde Newton (41) at Ross Ade Stadium. Indiana defeats Purdue 54-36. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

After firing three assistant coaches, it’s clear that the Purdue Boilermakers aren’t content with the way the program was headed, either. Changes must be made for Purdue if it’s going to join the rest of the conference and contend for division titles. Darrell Hazell’s squad finished the regular season with a blowout loss at home to Indiana, allowing the Hoosiers to become bowl eligible. It’s time for Hazell to get his guys in position to make a bowl pretty soon or he’ll be out of a job.

It was a disastrous start to the season when the Illinois Fighting Illini decided to fire head coach Tim Beckman just a week before the first game, but this team rebounded and proved to be much more than a stepping stone for the conference’s top teams. Illinois lost its last game of the year to No. 16 Northwestern and its season is likely over unless the Fighting Illini gets a surprising bowl invite. Nothing to hand their heads on, though, as this team was competitive against even the conference’s best.

Quite the opposite of Illinois, the Minnesota Golden Gophers were a major disappointment this season. A team which many thought would contend for a Big Ten West division crown, Minnesota finished the year just 5-7 and will likely be sitting at home during bowl season wondering where it went wrong. The Gophers lost a tough home game against Wisconsin on Saturday and that concluded a season in which they underachieved and saw their head coach retire. Jerry Kill will be missed by this program.

Next: No. 9 Indiana - No. 7 Nebraska