Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 13

Inside NU disrespects Iowa. It's pretty clear. Just two writers (Josh Rosenblat and Josh Burton) think UNDEFEATED Iowa deserves the top spot in our power rankings. Sure the Hawkeyes' crossover games were weak, but they took advantage. That should be the type of season Northwestern should model itself after: stay competitive in the Big Ten West until it all comes together for greatness. Iowa seized the opportunity to have a great team and a favorable schedule and look how it turned out.

As the regular season comes to a close, here are our Big Ten power rankings:

1 Michigan State Spartans RECORD: 11-1 (7-1) ||  LAST WEEK: 1 A three-point favorite in the Big Ten Championship game, Sparty's shot at the playoff is ripe for the taking. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 3 2 1 2 1 1 1 1.57

2 Iowa Hawkeyes RECORD: 12-0 (8-0) ||  LAST WEEK: 2 Remember when we used to write, "Is anyone outside Iowa City really expecting big things from the Hawkeyes?" Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 2 1 2 1 2 2 3 1.86

3 Ohio State Buckeyes RECORD: 11-1 (7-1) ||  LAST WEEK: 3 Ezekiel Elliott had no qualms after the Buckeyes romped Michigan. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 1 3 3 3 3 3 2 2.57

4 Michigan Wolverines RECORD: 9-3 (6-2) ||  LAST WEEK: 4 The Wolverines are probably the best three-loss team in the country, but those three losses will probably keep them out of a New Year's Six bowl. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

5 Northwestern Wildcats RECORD: 10-2 (6-2)  ||  LAST WEEK: 5 What a year. WHAT. A. YEAR. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

6 Wisconsin Badgers RECORD: 9-3 (6-2)  ||  LAST WEEK: 6 The Badgers seemed to go under the radar all season and quietly, they'll have a chance for double-digit wins with a bowl victory. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

7 Nebraska Cornhuskers RECORD: 5-7 (3-5)  ||  LAST WEEK: 8 Nebraska played a bunch of good teams close in Mike Riley's first year. We still want Bo Pelini back, though. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 8 7 7 7 7 8 8 7.43

8 Penn State Nittany Lions RECORD: 7-5 (4-4)  ||  LAST WEEK: 7 James Franklin fired his offensive coordinator. When does he start to feel the heat after back-to-back lackluster seasons? Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 7 8 8 8 8 7 7 7.57

9 Minnesota Golden Gophers RECORD: 5-7 (2-6) ||  LAST WEEK: 9 Tracy Claeys has taken the reigns at Minnesota. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

10 Indiana Hoosiers RECORD: 6-6 (2-6)  ||  LAST WEEK: 11 Kevin Wilson has brought Indiana to a bowl game for the first time since he took over the program in 2011. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 10.14

11 Illinois Fighting Illini RECORD: 5-7 (2-6)  ||  LAST WEEK: 10 Seriously, just read The Champaign Room for all the Illinois takes you need. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 11 11 11 11 11 10 11 10.86

T-12 Purdue Boilermakers RECORD: 2-10 (1-7)  ||  LAST WEEK: 12 See above, but instead look at Hammer and Rails. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 12 12 12 13 13 14 12 12.57

T-12 Maryland Terrapins RECORD: 3-9 (1-7) ||  LAST WEEK: 14 An absolutely enormous win for Maryland over Rutgers solidifies its spot as the Eastern Seaboard's Big Ten Team. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 13 13 13 12 12 12 13 12.57

14 Rutgers Scarlet Knights  RECORD: 4-8 (1-7)  ||  LAST WEEK: 13 Rutgers gave up 41.8 points per game in Big Ten play. Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Sam Brief Zach Wingrove AVERAGE 14 14 14 14 14 13 14 13.86