SiriusXM Big Ten Radio’s Football Power Rankings – Week 7

Pete Pistone and the rest of the SiriusXM Big Ten Radio team will unveil Power Rankings each week of the college football season. Check out their 2021 Power Rankings below, and start listening to SiriusXM Big Ten Radio (Ch. 372) on the SXM App now

Purdue turned in a huge upset of then-No. 2 Iowa last week to jumble up not just the Big Ten but all of college football. Here’s how the Big Ten Radio team voted for this week’s edition of the Power Rankings:

1. OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes were idle last week but still moved up in the rankings thanks to Iowa’s upset loss to Purdue in Iowa City.

NEXT: @Indiana (October 23)

2. MICHIGAN

The Wolverines had a chance to regroup and get ready for a tough second half of the season schedule.

NEXT: Northwestern (October 23)

3. PENN STATE

James Franklin’s squad pumped the bakes for the bye week trying to pick up the pieces from the previous week’s loss to Iowa.

NEXT: Illinois (October 23)

4. MICHIGAN STATE

Matt Coghlin’s 51-yard field goal to open the second half Saturday gave No. 10 Michigan State the lead, and Payton Thorne’s 12-yard touchdown pass provided the margin the Spartans needed to hold on for a 20-15 victory over Indiana. The Spartans will remain atop the conference’s East Division for at least two more weeks after reclaiming the Old Brass Spittoon. Kenneth Walker III, the nation’s top rusher, carried 23 times for 84 yards and Michigan State punted its first six possessions — the Spartans still managed to hand the Hoosiers (2-4, 0-3) their third loss in four games.

NEXT: OFF

5. PURDUE

Aidan O’Connell threw for 375 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, David Bell had a career-best 240 yards receiving, and Purdue continued its recent mastery over No. 2 Iowa with a 24-7 victory Saturday. The Boilermakers have won four of their last five games against the Hawkeyes (6-1, 3-1). The loss ended Iowa’s 12-game winning streak. Purdue beat its highest-ranked opponent on the road since 1974 at No. 2 Notre Dame. It was the second time in four seasons Purdue has knocked off a No. 2-ranked team. The Boilermakers won at home over a second-ranked Ohio State in 2018.

NEXT: Wisconsin (October 23)

6. IOWA

Not many saw Purdue coming to Iowa City and knocking off the Hawkeyes. But that’s exactly what the Boilermakers did in one of the weekend’s most surprising upsets.

NEXT: OFF

7. MINNESOTA

Tanner Morgan threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns and Bryce Williams rushed for 127 yards and another score on Saturday as Minnesota defeated Nebraska 30-23. The Gophers dominated the first half, taking a 21-9 lead behind near-perfect passing from Morgan. But Nebraska flipped the script in the second half, forcing two interceptions to get back into the game. However, a number of missed opportunities prevented the Huskers from taking the lead and allowed Minnesota to hang on.

NEXT: Maryland (October 23)

8. WISCONSIN

Leo Chenal recorded 17 tackles and set up a touchdown with a sack that forced a fumble, leading Wisconsin to a 20-14 victory over Army on Saturday night. Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen rushed for 108 yards on 16 carries, including a 33-yard touchdown. This marked the second straight game in which Allen rushed for at least 100 yards. The 17-year-old freshman ran for 131 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries last week in a 24-0 victory at Illinois

NEXT: @Purdue (October 23)

9. NEBRASKA

The Cornhuskers again played a tight game before losing to Minnesota. Simply put, Scott Frost has to find a way for his team to not just play well but put some W’s on the board.

NEXT: OFF

10. INDIANA

The downward spiral for the Hoosiers continues who lost to Michigan State for Indiana’s third defeat in the last four games.

NEXT: Ohio State (October 23)

11. MARYLAND

The Terms had a bye week last weekend.

NEXT: @Minnesota (October 23)

12. NORTHWESTERN

Ryan Hilinski threw for 267 yards and two touchdown passes on Saturday afternoon to boost Northwestern to a 21-7 victory over Rutgers. Hilinski opened the scoring for the Wildcats by capping off a 98-yard drive in the first quarter by hitting Malik Washington for a 64-yard touchdown pass. The completion — Hilinski’s longest as a Wildcat — helped his team secure its first conference win of the season.

NEXT: @Michigan (October 23)

13. RUTGERS

Bad road loss for Rutgers who figured to be in the game against Northwestern a bit more than the final outcome showed.

NEXT: OFF

14. ILLINOIS

The Fighting Illini had a welcomed bye week.

NEXT: @Penn State (October 23)