1. Purdue
2. Michigan State
3. Wisconsin
4. Illinois
5. Ohio State
6. Indiana
7. Iowa
8. Rutgers
9. Michigan
10. Penn State
11. Northwestern
12. Minnesota
13. Maryland
14 Nebraska
Starting to come into better focus that we have basically have 3 tiers of Big 10 schools and then one terrible school in a class by themselves named Nebraska/
Alot of jockeying at the top but I think the top 5 have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Not entirely sold on Ohio State being as good as the top 4 but for now I will put them in the top grouping. Think you can put all of them in a boggle dome and shake them based on their schedule for each week. This week, we saw Purdue win at Illinois but lose at Indiana. Michigan State come off a loss at Northwestern and win at Wisconsin. Illinois not only lost to Purdue but inexplicably at Maryland. Based on Purdue's hard fought win at Illinois but tough close loss at Indiana, going to put them at the top by the narrowest of margins. Think of all the Big 10 schools they have the best shot at post season success even though standing wise they are tied for 5th with Rutgers. Wisconsin was really rolling but yet look awful on their home court by Michigan State/ Sparty has a tough stretch this week travelling to Illinois and then coming home to face Michigan. Illinois could be in trouble if Cockburn is out for an extended period of time.
Then we get to the middle of the pack who have some nice wins but at varying points have shown some weaknesses. This is your grouping of bubble type schools. Looking like at least 2 NCAA bids in this group with a third still a possibility. Indiana would appear to be in the best shape after their win over Purdue yet the Hoosiers were easily dispatched by Michigan. No shame in Iowa losing at Rutgers and handled Penn State impressively. Rating them ahead of RU who really floundered a huge opportunity for a road win over a depleted Minnesota. Knights too up and down Michigan came back from covid dead in pretty fine form and the road win at Indiana might have signaled they could be ready for a second half push.
Then there is a group a cut below the middle. Its not a bad grouping and they all have wins over schools rated higher than them, its just that they tend to lose alot. Penn State plays hard but doesn't have the firepower to string wins together. Northwestern played Wisconsin really tough after upsetting Sparty but did not look good vs Purdue. Minnesota shot the lights out in knocking off Rutgers but now face a 4 game gauntlet. Maryland took advantage of an Illinois meltdown for just their 2nd league win but where exactly are they going.
Nebraska..now on covid pause nuff said
2. Michigan State
3. Wisconsin
4. Illinois
5. Ohio State
6. Indiana
7. Iowa
8. Rutgers
9. Michigan
10. Penn State
11. Northwestern
12. Minnesota
13. Maryland
14 Nebraska
Starting to come into better focus that we have basically have 3 tiers of Big 10 schools and then one terrible school in a class by themselves named Nebraska/
Alot of jockeying at the top but I think the top 5 have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Not entirely sold on Ohio State being as good as the top 4 but for now I will put them in the top grouping. Think you can put all of them in a boggle dome and shake them based on their schedule for each week. This week, we saw Purdue win at Illinois but lose at Indiana. Michigan State come off a loss at Northwestern and win at Wisconsin. Illinois not only lost to Purdue but inexplicably at Maryland. Based on Purdue's hard fought win at Illinois but tough close loss at Indiana, going to put them at the top by the narrowest of margins. Think of all the Big 10 schools they have the best shot at post season success even though standing wise they are tied for 5th with Rutgers. Wisconsin was really rolling but yet look awful on their home court by Michigan State/ Sparty has a tough stretch this week travelling to Illinois and then coming home to face Michigan. Illinois could be in trouble if Cockburn is out for an extended period of time.
Then we get to the middle of the pack who have some nice wins but at varying points have shown some weaknesses. This is your grouping of bubble type schools. Looking like at least 2 NCAA bids in this group with a third still a possibility. Indiana would appear to be in the best shape after their win over Purdue yet the Hoosiers were easily dispatched by Michigan. No shame in Iowa losing at Rutgers and handled Penn State impressively. Rating them ahead of RU who really floundered a huge opportunity for a road win over a depleted Minnesota. Knights too up and down Michigan came back from covid dead in pretty fine form and the road win at Indiana might have signaled they could be ready for a second half push.
Then there is a group a cut below the middle. Its not a bad grouping and they all have wins over schools rated higher than them, its just that they tend to lose alot. Penn State plays hard but doesn't have the firepower to string wins together. Northwestern played Wisconsin really tough after upsetting Sparty but did not look good vs Purdue. Minnesota shot the lights out in knocking off Rutgers but now face a 4 game gauntlet. Maryland took advantage of an Illinois meltdown for just their 2nd league win but where exactly are they going.
Nebraska..now on covid pause nuff said