Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 8

The midway point of the Big Ten season has just about come and gone. And while the West division is pretty much locked up for Iowa, it seems the East will come down to Ohio State-Michigan State on Nov. 21. Don't worry though, there are still a bunch meaningful matchups for teams looking to either make bowls or increase their bowl stock. Northwestern's games against Penn State and at Wisconsin will be big for each team involved. Minnesota could salvage an otherwise disappointing season with an upset win over Michigan next week. Even while the premiere battle looms in a little under a month, the Big Ten still has some entertaining football to offer.

Here are our staff's rankings of the Big Ten teams after eight weeks:

1 Ohio State Buckeyes RECORD: 8-0 (4-0)  ||  LAST WEEK: 1 Cardale Jones not playing up to par, insert J.T. Barrett. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

2 Michigan State Spartans RECORD: 8-0 (4-0) ||  LAST WEEK: T-2 A big fourth quarter gave the Spartans an easy W over Indiana. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

3 Michigan Wolverines RECORD: 5-2 (2-1) ||  LAST WEEK: 3 The Wolverines had a bye week to reset after a tough loss to Michigan State. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 3.14

4 Iowa Hawkeyes RECORD: 7-0 (3-0) ||  LAST WEEK: 4 The Hawkeyes' path to the Big Ten Championship is clear. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 3 3.86

5 Wisconsin Badgers RECORD: 6-2 (3-1)  ||  LAST WEEK: 5 Even with Joel Stave hurt, Wisconsin beat the Illini in Champaign. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

6 Northwestern Wildcats RECORD: 6-2 (2-2)  ||  LAST WEEK: 8 A two-point win at Nebraska earned Northwestern a bowl berth for the first time in two seasons. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

7 Penn State Nittany Lions RECORD: 6-2 (3-1)  ||  LAST WEEK: 7 Penn State eked out a one-point win at Maryland. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 7 7.57

8 Nebraska Cornhuskers RECORD: 3-5 (1-3)  ||  LAST WEEK: 9 Each of the Huskers' losses have come by five or fewer points this season, including the two-point loss to Northwestern in Week 8. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 8 8 9 9 9 7 7 8 8.14

9 Illinois Fighting Illini RECORD: 4-3 (1-2) ||  LAST WEEK: 6 Illinois fought hard against Wisconsin, but the offense fell short. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 9 9 8 7 7 9 9 9 8.29

10 Minnesota Golden Gophers RECORD: 4-3 (1-2)  ||  LAST WEEK: 12 The Gophers could turn their season around with a win over Michigan. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 11 11 10 10 10 10 11 12 10.43

11 Indiana Hoosiers RECORD: 4-4 (0-4)  ||  LAST WEEK: 11 The Hoosiers just continue their free fall. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 10 12 11 12 12 11 10 10 11.14

12 Rutgers Scarlet Knights RECORD: 3-4  (1-3)  ||  LAST WEEK: 10 The Scarlet Knights were pummeled by Ohio State, but that's not totally inexcusable, right? Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 12 10 12 11 11 12 12 11 11.43

13 Maryland Terrapins RECORD: 2-5 (0-3) ||  LAST WEEK: 13 A one-point loss to Penn State at home could have been worse. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 14 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13.14

14 Purdue Boilermakers  RECORD: 1-6 (0-3)  ||  LAST WEEK: 14 Purdue didn't lose this week. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Ian McCafferty Sam Brief Zach Wingrove Tristan Jung AVERAGE 13 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 13.86