Penn State football hoping to remain perfect, atop the Big Ten with road test looming

We’ve turned to the back nine of the Penn State football season, as James Franklin and the Nittany Lions prepare to tackle the second half of the year. The Nittany Lions couldn’t have asked for a much better start, now firmly fixed in the top tier of college football and the Big Ten’s best teams through six games.

But now is when things start to get really real. The schedule and the stakes each take a dramatic step up, starting with a road trip to Madison on Saturday night.

Can Penn State football stay perfect, remain at the top of the Big Ten power rankings?

We’re back again for another edition of the Big Ten power rankings. We’re now getting into the serious part of the season, where there is some real separation between teams. Also, the race to Indianapolis is now in full force. The tiebreakers for the conference title game participants may have to be used by the season’s end.

Let’s see how things shape up as we head into Week 9.

18. Purdue, 1-6 (Last week 18)

Too many pundits gave Purdue a lot of credit for hanging with Illinois two weeks ago. Oregon is a tough team, but the Boilermakers were a listless punching bag. This team is heading for another season without a bowl appearance.

After an off week, the Boilermakers will host Northwestern.

17. Northwestern, 3-4 (Last week 14)

Northwestern could barely muster 200 yards as the Wildcats fell to Wisconsin 23-3. This team looks like it will fall well short of the eight-win mark it achieved a year ago. However, a bowl game may still be in the cards if the Wildcats can right the ship in Evanston.

Northwestern visits Iowa next.

16. Rutgers, 4-3 (Last week 12)

After a 4-0 start, the Scarlet Knights have lost three in a row. The latest was a 35-32 loss against UCLA at home. Now, Rutgers has to take a cross country flight to Los Angeles to face USC at 11 p.m. East Coast time Friday. Ouch.

15. UCLA, 2-5 (Last week 17)

The Bruins won their first Big Ten game with their win at Rutgers. Quarterback Ethan Garbers had his best game of the year, passing for 383 yards and scoring five touchdowns, including one on the ground.

UCLA now gets a bye week before hitting the road again at Nebraska.

14. USC, 3-4 (Last week 9)

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

For the second week in a row, USC blew a 14 point lead. This time, it occurred on the road at Maryland, as the Trojans lost 29-28. This team is very talented team that is not performing up to expectations. Lincoln Riley’s seat has to be getting warmer in sunny California.

USC will host Rutgers on Friday night.

13. Maryland, 4-3 (Last week 16)

It appeared Maryland was heading to a third consecutive loss down two scores in the fourth quarter. But the Terps hung in and were able to score the last 15 points to emerge with a one-point win over USC. It will be tough down the stretch, but bowl eligibility is still possible.

Maryland is at Minnesota this Saturday.

12. Michigan State, 4-3 (Last week 15)

Kicker Jonathan Kim set the school record for six made field goals to help snap a three-game losing streak with a 32-20 Michigan State win over Iowa. Coming off a bye week, the Spartans corrected a lot of the issues that had plagued them during their skid.

Michigan State now travels to rival Michigan Saturday night.

11. Minnesota, 4-3 (Last week 13)

Minnesota is starting to gain a little momentum and had an off week to rest. Now, the Golden Gophers face Maryland at home.

10. Nebraska, 5-2 (Last week 6)

© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The Huskers turned over the ball five times and were crushed at Indiana 56-7. It was their most lopsided loss in eight years.

Nebraska has been here before. One win away from bowl eligibility and yet cannot seal the deal. Another loss could be in the works, as Matt Rhule takes his squad to Columbus next.

9. Iowa, 4-3 (Last week 8)

Offensively, the Hawkeyes looked pretty awful in their loss in East Lansing. The passing game is just not getting it done with Cade McNamara under center.

Iowa will try to rebound against Northwestern.

8. Washington, 4-3 (Last week 10)

The Huskies had a week off after their loss to Iowa. Now they hit the road again for another challenge, facing off against undefeated Indiana.

7. Michigan, 4-3 (Last week 5)

The Wolverines committed three turnovers as they took their third loss of the season against Illinois 21-7. Again the passing game was fairly anemic.

I think most figured Michigan would take a step back this year, but there is a strong possibility that this team barely finishes above .500. The Wolverines host rival Michigan State Saturday.

6. Wisconsin, 5-2 (Last week 11)

Wisconsin makes the biggest jump this week in the rankings with a 23-3 win over Northwestern. The Badgers finally seem to have some consistency on offense.

The Badgers host No. 3 Penn State football in a huge game Saturday night in Madison.

5. Illinois, 6-1 (Last week 7)

Illinois beat Michigan for the first time since 2009 while wearing some pretty cool throwback uniforms. It was also the Illini’s first win in a ranked versus ranked game since 1991 when they beat Ohio State.

Illinois faces a tall order this week, traveling to top-ranked Oregon on Saturday.

4. Indiana, 7-0 (Last week 4)

Is it time to start taking the Hoosiers as a serious conference title game contender? Nebraska was supposed to be Indiana’s toughest challenge to date. Yet, the Hoosiers just rolled over the Huskers as if they were a minor speed bump.

Indiana now hosts Washington and ESPN’s College Gameday for the first time ever.

3. Ohio State, 5-1 (Last week 3)

The Buckeyes had an extra week to chew on their late loss to Oregon. Ohio State will need to put it behind them and get ready for a Nebraska team that will also be looking to bounce back this week.

2. Penn State, 6-0 (Last week 2)

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Nittany Lions are in a good spot at 6-0. Penn State football had a bye week to correct some problems plus get healthier.

Now comes a tough stretch run. A road game in Madison will not be easy and the Nittany Lions can ill afford to look ahead to the matchup with Ohio State when the calendar turns to November.

1. Oregon, 7-0 (Last week 1)

On a short week, the Ducks were up to the challenge coming off a tough victory over Ohio State. They shutout Purdue on the road, their first road game shutout since 1992. Thanks to Texas losing to Georgia, Oregon is now the top team in the land.

The Ducks return home to face a challenge with ranked Illinois coming to visit.

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