Big Ten Football Power Rankings Week 14: Michigan State, Iowa are kings
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) celebrates a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
The top-three of the Big Ten is about as good as any in college football as the Buckeyes are the third-best team right now. Many could argue that Ohio State is the top team in the Big Ten, but the Michigan State Spartans proved otherwise a week ago with a road win in Columbus without starting quarterback Connor Cook. Had Ohio State taken care of business with a prime opportunity against a Cook-less MSU team, the Buckeyes could be No. 1 in the country right now.
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However, Ohio State is No. 6 in the country and No. 3 in our power rankings. A huge win on the road against top rival Michigan has people wondering just how good this Ohio State team can be. Well, with J.T. Barrett, Ezekiel Elliott and the defense playing well, the Buckeyes could be a national title contender.
Iowa is the surprise team of the country this year. Prior to the season’s kickoff, Iowa was considered a team that would likely finished 7-5 or, at best, 8-4. Kirk Ferentz was returning a decent amount of talent from a 7-6 team a year ago, but was losing former starting quarterback Jake Rudock to a transfer to Michigan.
C.J. Beathard has proven to be more than capable of leading this team as the junior quarterback protects the ball as well as any gunslinger in the conference while being the ultimate game-manager. He led the Hawkeyes into Lincoln, Neb., last week as they took care of business against a top rival, beating Nebraska, 28-20, to finish a perfect regular season. The Big Ten title game is next.
Michigan State has arguably the best three wins in college football this season. For one, the Spartans beat a now red-hot Oregon team — ranked No. 7 at the time — at home. Two, they hit the road to steal a win from then-No. 12 Michigan. And third, Michigan State dominated then-No. 3 Ohio State on the stat sheet and won on a last-second Michael Geiger field goal in Columbus.
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With a win Saturday over Penn State, the Spartans secured a spot in the Big Ten title game for the third time since 2011 and are looking to make the College Football Playoff despite doubters ruling this team out three weeks ago. Michigan State has had a tough schedule and has come out with its fifth 11-win season in the past six years.