Last week, the Big Ten was a one-team conference by way of representation in BCS bowls. But a week later, Penn State and Iowa (despite the loss) are playing a way back into the picture. Will the Big Ten get two teams into BCS bowls?
With ten spots available (one national championship game, four other bowls), six places are guaranteed for conference champions. For the Big Ten, that will be Ohio State. Two of the four remaining bowl positions appear as locks. Barring disaster, either TCU or Boise State will get an automatic bid by finishing undefeated and in the top 12 of the BCS standings (only one spot is guaranteed to a non-AQ conference). The loser of the SEC championship game (Florida vs. Alabama) will likely be headed to the Sugar Bowl.
That leaves two spots for a handful of teams, including Penn State, Iowa, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State, LSU and Boise State. Boise State could be a favorite to take one of the spots if it stays undefeated. Pittsburgh must face Cincinnati, and a loss would likely end their chances. LSU would be the third SEC school to qualify, which would be a rare occurrence for the BCS. That might leave Penn State, Iowa and Oklahoma State playing for the final spot.
Who do you think deserves it?
On to the power rankings. Not much change from last week. Iowa moves ahead of Penn State.
1. (1) Ohio State (6-1, 9-2) - The Buckeyes are starting to look like a team that deserves to play in the Rose Bowl. Despite two bad losses earlier this season (especially to Purdue), the Buckeyes can't complain with closing stretch wins against Penn State and Iowa.
Follow the jump for the rest of the rankings.
2. (2) Wisconsin (5-2, 8-2) - Most people see the Badgers ranked below Iowa and Penn State. But this ranking is about how a team is playing now, and I feel the Badgers could and would beat either of those schools today.
3. (4) Iowa (5-2, 9-2) - Last week against Northwestern, the blame for a loss could not go to backup quarterback James Vandenberg. This week, it definitely shouldn't. Ricky Stanzi's health (and he should be healthy by Jan. 1) could determine whether the Hawkeyes will play in a BCS bowl game.
4. (3) Penn State (5-2, 9-2) - Penn State continues to win games against its h0-hum competition. It's hard to justify moving the Nittany Lions any higher in the rankings when they haven't beaten any of the schools above them.
5. (5) Northwestern (4-3, 7-4) - The Wildcats are playing in the second tier of the Big Ten (along with Michigan State and Minnesota) and are playing the best of that group. With three wins in four games (and the only loss to Penn State), Northwestern should be playing in a decent bowl in December.
6. (6) Michigan State (4-3, 6-5) - After starting 1-3 and suffering a two-game losing streak midway through the season, the Spartans have to be happy being bowl eligible. That was about the best they could ask for back in September.
7. (7) Minnesota (3-4, 6-5) - The most topsy-turvy team in the Big Ten this season, Minnesota hasn't won two games in a row since the first two weeks of the season. But the team is bowl eligible, and that's all that matters.
8. (8) Purdue (3-5, 4-7) - Definitely too little, too late to redeem the Boilers' season, but the past five games give hope for Purdue going into next season. The Bucket win Saturday would be a good springboard.
9. (9) Illinois (2-6, 3-7) - The Illini are done with their Big Ten season, and that's not necessarily a good thing. Games against Cincinnati and an underrated Fresno State team to close the season could leave Illinois 3-9 for the 2009 campaign.
10. (10) Indiana (1-6, 4-7) - The Hoosiers are definitely not the worst team in the Big Ten - they proved that by competing with Iowa, Wisconsin and Penn State. But IU can't move up these rankings unless it wins games. That didn't happen this year.
11. (11) Michigan (1-6, 5-6) - The Wolverines will likely be looking at Delaware State as their last win of the season unless they pull off the upset against Ohio State. Delaware State is probably not a good last win when contemplating Rich Rodriguez' future.
