Michigan topped Illinois 41-8 on Saturday, improving to 7-0 on the year and tops in the latest conference power rankings. The Wolverines now control their own destiny and have a good chance of staying perfect with struggling rival Michigan State next on the schedule.
Nebraska continues to win football games and while not always pretty, 7-0 is the best anyone could hope for. The Cornhuskers and the nation will find out just how could this team can be over the next two weeks with big games against Wisconsin and Ohio State. Until this program losses, they will stay one step behind Michigan, but could play their way into playoff contention with wins on the road over the next two Saturday’s.
The Buckeyes are wounded, but not finished. Urban Meyer will now try to keep this group focused and back to winning football games. If this team can win out the rest of their 2016 college football schedule, a three point loss on the road looks better than a big loss at home and could get the Scarlet and Grey a spot in the Final Four in January.
Penn State and Wisconsin round out the top-5 in the Big Ten power rankings. The Nittany Lions upset on Saturday gained the program some national attention and with a favorable schedule over the next five weeks, this team could make a big jump in the polls before the year is finished.
The Badgers’ two losses are both by a touchdown and both came against teams ranked in the top-3 in the nation. This week’s contest against Nebraska is the headliner for the conference and a game that will have huge implications in the national rankings, especially if the Cornhuskers can win a tough game in Madison.