Big Ten 2020 Week 8 Power Rankings and Week 9 picks

 Well, the Big Ten Conference has once again made a special exception for Ohio State, this time allowing them to play in the Conference Championship Game without having played six games.  Great example the conference is showing to these influential college students - you don't have to worry about following the rules because someone will always let you have your way anyway.  No wonder so many of my students believe they should get an A even if they don't do most of the coursework.

Power Rankings [Last week's position]

1.  Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) [1]

2.  Indiana Hoosiers (6-1) [2]

3.  Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2) [3]

4.  Northwestern Wildcats (6-1) [4]

5.  Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-3) [7]

6.  Maryland Terrapins (2-3) [6]

7.  Penn State Nittany Lions (3-5) [9] : tremendous end to the season after starting 0-5

8.  Wisconsin Badgers (2-3) [5]

9.  Illinois Fighting Illini (2-5) [8]

10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-5) [14]

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-5) [10]

12. Michigan State Spartans (2-5) [11]

13. Michigan Wolverines (2-4) [12]

14. Purdue Boilermakers (2-4) [13]

Week 9 picks

Friday games

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights : Rutgers was very impressive against Maryland last week.  Except for their game against Penn State (and the Nittany Lions were winless at the time), Nebraska has really struggled on the field this season.  Although Nebraska might have the better raw talent, they can't seem to get it together.  RUTGERS by six

Saturday games

Big Ten Championship: Northwestern Wildcats v Ohio State Buckeyes : The Wildcats have a strong defense, but they won't be able to last against the powerful Buckeyes offense.  It might be a close first half, but the second half will belong to the Buckeyes.  OHIO STATE by 20

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wisconsin Badgers : The Badgers offense has evaporated.  They haven't scored more than seven points in over a month.  While they will probably break into double digits in this game, the Gophers really have the advantage here.  MINNESOTA by 13

Illinois Fighting Illini at Penn State Nittany Lions : Penn State has won three in a row, so they have the momentum coming into this game.  However, the Illini have found their offense, so this game will be really close.  I'd love to pick the upset, but I think I'll let it truly be one if it happens.  PENN STATE by three

Michigan State Spartans at Maryland Terrapins : Michigan State may have handed Northwestern their only loss of the season, but they haven't done much of any else in their games (other than beat in-state rival Michigan, which no longer looks so tough).  Maryland was surprised by Rutgers last week after not playing for two weeks, but they were getting the rust kicked off.  They should be more prepared for the Spartans.  MARYLAND by 13