Big Ten football power rankings: Gophers all tied up after Purdue beatdown

The Big Ten West is a hotbed of mediocrity right now and Randy Johnson demonstrates that in his latest power rankings.

November 14, 2023 at 6:41PM
Purdue gained 604 yards against the Gophers in its 49-30 victory Saturday. (Michael Conroy, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

1. Michigan (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten): If the Wolverines keep playing defense like they did against Penn State in a 24-15 win, it won't matter who's on the sideline coaching them.

2. Ohio State (10-0, 7-0): Buckeyes toyed with Michigan State 38-3, now have tune-up with Gophers to prepare for The Game.

3. Penn State (8-2, 5-2): James Franklin responds to loss to Michigan by firing offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. That's the fourth play-caller he has fired since taking over at Penn State in 2014.

4. Iowa (8-2, 5-2): Suddenly, quarterback Deacon Hill breaks through with 232-yard passing day in 22-0 win over Rutgers that secured at least a share of the Big Ten West Division title for the Hawkeyes.

5. Maryland (6-4, 3-4): Terrapins survive 13-10 at Nebraska as Huskers commit five turnovers, including three in the fourth quarter.

6. Rutgers (6-4, 3-4): Scarlet Knights rushing game disappears at Iowa, gaining only 34 yards on 23 carries.

(Note: Five-way tie for seventh)

(Tie-7) Illinois (5-5, 3-4): Backup QB John Paddock, who burned the Gophers a week earlier, passed for 507 yards and four TDs in 48-45 overtime win over Indiana. Illini are one of five teams tied for second in the Big Ten West.

(Tie-7) Nebraska (5-5, 3-4): Turnover-prone Huskers lead all FBS schools with 27 giveaways and have a minus-14 margin.

(Tie-7) Northwestern (5-5, 3-4): QB Ben Bryant returns from injury, leads three TD drives in 24-10 win over Wisconsin.

(Tie-7) Gophers (5-5, 3-5): Purdue's Devin Mockobee and Tyrone Tracy Jr. still are racking up rushing yards on the Gophers.

(Tie-7) Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4): Badgers need to beat either Nebraska or Gophers to reach bowl eligibility after loss to Northwestern.

12. Purdue (3-7, 2-5): Boilermakers rolled to 604 yards of offense, including 353 on the ground, in 49-30 rout of Gophers.

13. Indiana (3-7, 1-6): Hoosiers commit 14 penalties for 139 yards in loss against Illinois.

14. Michigan State (3-7, 1-6): Spartans had no answer for Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who had seven catches for 149 yards and two TDs and rushed for a TD.

about the writer

about the writer

Randy Johnson

College football reporter

Randy Johnson covers University of Minnesota football and college football for the Star Tribune, along with Gophers hockey and the Wild.

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