Where does Big Ten title hunt stand before pivotal Ohio State-Penn State matchup?

The college sports universe is descending on State College this week for Saturday’s battle between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 3 Penn State football. While a spot in the College Football Playoff may not be on the line, a shot at the Big Ten title likely could be for either the Buckeyes or Nittany Lions as the calendar turns to November.

Whatever the result this weekend, come Sunday, we’ll likely have a much better sense of the Big Ten Championship hunt heading into the final four games of the year. But what is the current state of the conference before Saturday’s massive showdown?

Where does Big Ten title hunt stand before Ohio State and Penn State face off?

We have played two months of football and we now enter the final month of the regular season. There is some clarity for the top of the conference and the two teams that are likely to face off in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship.

Three of the four teams in contention for a spot in the title game are not a huge surprise. Oregon looks hands down the top team, followed by Penn State and Ohio State as close contenders. The surprise of the season is certainly Indiana. Curt Cignetti should be a shoe in for Big Ten Coach of the Year, perhaps even in the country.

Behind these four teams is a jumbled mess of decent-to-bad teams. So let’s see how the entire conference looks as we head into November.

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

The Boilermakers were on a bye. Probably not much they can do to change the course of their season and they could be eliminated from bowl contention when they face fellow basement dweller Northwestern next weekend.

17. Northwestern, 3-5 (Last week 17)

Northwestern managed a putrid 163 total yards and turned over the ball three times in a lopsided 40-14 loss to Iowa. Head coach David Braun was the talk of the conference last year but is having a difficult second year.

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

Rutgers is in free fall, suffering a fourth straight loss 42-20 at USC. It was pretty even in regards to total yards and first downs. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis had a good game throwing for over 300 yards, but it was not enough.

Rutgers needs two wins in its final four games to get a bowl. The Scarlet Knights will have an off week to figure it out.

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

The Bruins had the week off and now will travel to Nebraska for their last long road trip. Their remaining games will all at least be in the Pacific Time Zone.

14. Maryland, 4-4 (Last week 13)

The Terps followed up their nice win against USC by laying an egg against Minnesota, losing 48-23. Maryland dug itself a 21-0 hole in the first quarter and never climbed out of it. Quarterback Billy Edwards threw two picks, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

After a bye week, Maryland will travel across the country to take on Oregon. Do not see that one turning out well for the Terps.

13. Michigan State, 4-4 (Last week 12)

© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Spartans out-gained the Wolverines and possessed the ball for nearly 15 more minutes yet still could not come with a victory, losing 24-17. It was the third straight loss to their bitter rival.

It does not get easier for Michigan State. The Spartans return home but have to face undefeated Indiana.

12. USC, 4-4 (Last week 14)

USC snapped its three game losing streak with a 42-20 victory over Rutgers. The Trojans found some explosive plays and their injury depleted defense came up with the stops when needed.

The Trojans get to stay on the West Coast the rest of the season. They travel to Seattle next Saturday to face Washington.

11. Nebraska, 5-3 (Last week 10)

Nebraska kept it close against Ohio State, even holding the lead in the fourth quarter. But again, it was another one score loss for the Huskers, falling 21-17 in the Horseshoe. They have now lost 27 straight games against ranked opponents.

Nebraska will try again for that ever elusive bowl eligibility when UCLA comes to Lincoln next Saturday.

10. Minnesota, 5-3 (Last week 11)

© Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Minnesota scored the first 24 points against Maryland and never looked back. The Gophers were in complete control of the Terps from start to finish.

Minnesota is out of the conference race and three of their final four games are on the road, but they are on a three game winning streak. Up next is a visit to Champaign to play Illinois.

9. Washington, 4-4 (Last week 8)

Washington tried to keep it close against Indiana but the Hoosiers proved to be too much for the Huskies on the road. Pretty even in the box score stats except for the final score.

There has been a sure drop off from last year’s National Runner-Up team. The Huskies will need a better performance next week against USC as they look to stay in contention for a bowl game.

8. Wisconsin, 5-3 (Last week 6)

A streaking Wisconsin team had the 10-7 lead over Penn State football in the first half, but got outscored 21-3 after halftime. The Badgers are now 2-14 in their last 16 games against ranked teams. Wisconsin lacks a signature win in the Luke Fickell era so far.

Wisconsin travels to Kinnick to take on the Hawkeyes next Saturday night.

7. Illinois, 6-2 (Last week 5)

The talent discrepancy between Illinois and Oregon was on full display in Eugene Saturday afternoon. The Illini could not move the ball outside one touchdown drive in the second half. They also allowed Oregon to score touchdowns on five of its first six drives of the game.

This still looks to be a decent Illinois team, but one that is just not ready to compete with the upper echelon of the Big Ten. Illinois returns home against Minnesota this weekend.

6. Iowa, 5-3 (Last week 9)

The Hawkeyes have scored 40 points in three games this season. Is this real life? Kaleb Johnson scored three touchdowns on the ground against Northwestern and the Hawkeye defense was stout.

The team is likely no longer in conference contention but have four winnable games in November. Up next is a home game against Wisconsin.

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

Michigan improved to 5-3 with its third straight win over in-state rival Michigan State. The Wolverines returned to Davis Warren under center who did toss a touchdown pass but only threw for 123 yards.

Michigan has to play Oregon, Indiana, and Ohio State in November. Good luck Wolverines in your quest to just get bowl eligible.

4. Indiana, 8-0 (Last week 4)

Indiana beat Washington 31-17 to keep its undefeated season intact. The Hoosiers have never been undefeated this deep into a season and they also have yet to trail in a game this season.

Indiana has a shot to make the Big Ten Championship game for the first time. The Hoosiers head to East Lansing next Saturday.

3. Ohio State, 6-1 (Last week 3)

The Buckeyes pulled out a closer than expected 21-17 win over Nebraska. They were pretty sloppy at times, turning the ball over once and just not executing for good chunks of the game.

Ohio State looks vulnerable, especially on the offensive line in light of the season-ending injury to star left tackle Josh Simmons. Is this the year Penn State football finally gets the better of the Buckeyes?

2. Penn State, 7-0 (Last week 2)

© Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It certainly looked bleak for the Nittany Lions at points in this game. They were only down 10-7 at halftime but Drew Allar was injured near the end of the second quarter and would not return to the game. Enter Beau Pribula, who looked shaky on his first couple drives.

Once Jaylen Reed returned an interception for a touchdown, it sparked the whole team. Pribula would lead drives of 81 and 76 yards, both ending in touchdowns. The Nittany Lions defense was shut down in the second half, stifling the Badger rushing attack. Penn State won 28-13, keeping its undefeated season alive.

Now comes the game everyone had circled before the season. While the Buckeyes are not undefeated, the stakes are still high. A loss would not eliminate Penn State from the College Football Playoff, but the Nittany Lions most certainly want to beat Ohio State for the first time in eight years.

1. Oregon, 8-0 (Last week 1)

Anyone who thought Illinois would present a challenge were quickly proven wrong as Oregon went up 35-3, letting up on the gas to cruise to a 38-9 victory. Dillon Gabriel tossed three scores and added another on the ground.

Honestly, this is the clear top team in the Big Ten as it stands right now. Still have to play the games, but a trip to Indianapolis seems to be in the cards for the Ducks. They travel to one dimensional Michigan next Saturday.

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