Week 13 has wrapped in the B1G and around the country. The big takeaway is that everyone not named Oregon and Ohio State is bad at football. Maybe Notre Dame is good too, Northern Illinois was a long time ago. It's a shame that the third OSU-Oregon matchup of the season is going to come in the semifinals rather than the national championship. Three SEC teams lost a third game and others struggled against bad opponents in week 13.
A check-in on bowl eligibility is below. Nebraska, Michigan, and USC all won on Saturday, getting to six wins. Four loss teams Maryland, Northwestern, and UCLA all lost, so will not be able to get to six wins. Michigan State won to get to five wins. Wisconsin travels to Iowa and Michigan State hosts Rutgers this week, both the opportunity to get to six wins.
Going Bowling: Oregon, Indiana, Penn State, Ohio State, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Washington, Rutgers, Nebraska, Michigan, USC
5 wins: Wisconsin, Michigan State
No Bowling: Purdue, UCLA, Maryland, Northwestern
The week 14 slate features eight conference matchups and two out of conference matchups. USC hosts Notre Dame and UCLA hosts Fresno State. Most everyone else is in a rivalry game. Nebraska at Iowa and Minnesota at Wisconsin are on Friday.
The week 13 B1G Power Rankings are below. These are based strictly on on-field performance relative to the competition and is not a projection of things to come.
1. Oregon (11-0) - The Ducks were off and host Washington this week. They lost to Washington twice last season and Coach Dan Lanning is not going to take it easy on the Huskies if given the chance. They've already clinched a spot in the B1G Championship game and are looking to finish the season as the only undefeated team in the country.
2. Ohio State (10-1) - The Bucks suffocated Indiana with an efficient offense, great defense, and a few big special teams plays. The focus immediately turns to The Game, where the Buckeyes have lost three in a row. It's a different TTUN but that doesn't tend to matter in this game. A win and Ohio State heads to Indy for the first time since 2000 to rematch against Oregon, with the #1 seed in the CFP up for grabs.
3. Penn State (10-1) - The Lions survived at Minnesota. James Franklin coached like he wanted to win a football game for once with a late fake punt call to seal the game. They host Maryland this week. They'll secure a home playoff game with a win.
4. Indiana (10-1) - The Hoosiers were whooped in Columbus and it looked like the playoff chances may have been gone, until the SEC imploded and their playoff spot is still there. Open Google and search "coward." You'll find a picture of Curt Cignetti. Down 21 in the 4th quarter, across midfield, Indiana punted, rather than going for it. He put his tail between his legs and was begging to not be left out of the playoff. Thanks to the SEC, all that stands between Indiana and a playoff spot is a 1-10 Purdue team.
5. Illinois (8-3) - The Illini had a miracle win against Rutgers, scoring the winning TD with four seconds left to escape Piscataway with a win and they're in the drivers seat for the Cheez-it Citrus Bowl with a win at Wrigley Field on Saturday.
6. Iowa (7-4) - The Hawkeyes beat Maryland with their fifth quarterback and continue to do Iowa things. Cade McNamara was never going to lead them to 10 wins, but a competent, healthy, offense may have lead to a pretty successful season. They host Nebraska on Friday night.
7. Minnesota (6-5) - The Gophers fell to Penn State in a great game, 26-25, though I'm not sure PJ Fleck wanted to win the game after kicking a field goal from inside the ten with five minutes left. They travel to Wisconsin on Friday.
8. Washington (6-5) - The Huskies were off and travel to Oregon on Saturday.
9. Xichigan (6-5) - The weasels were leading Northwestern 10-6 late in the 2nd quarter, before pulling away and winning 50-6. Their previous high total of the season was 30 points in week one. This team is bad, it's been bad all year and they'll lose by 50 in Columbus this weekend.
10. Rutgers (6-5) - Greg Schiano iced the kicker against Illinois. After a horrible effort after the timeout was called, Brett Bielema decided to go for it instead and the Illini scored the winning touchdown. It was a disappointing loss for the Scarlet Knights. They travel to Michigan State this Saturday.
11. USC (6-5) - The Trojans beat UCLA, coming back from a 4th quarter deficit. A disappointing season can end on high note this Saturday, as Notre Dame comes to town with playoff aspirations.
12. Nebraska (6-5) - BOWL ELIGIBLE NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS!! The high powered Dan Holgersen offesnes erupted for 44 points and 473 yards against Wisconsin. The longest bowl drought in the power four is over! They travel to Iowa this Friday.
13. Wisconsin (5-6) - The Badgers never lead, in dropping their fourth game in a row. Bowl eligibility is in the balance as they host Minnesota on Friday night. The offense looked a little better after firing Phil Longo, but it's going to be an interesting off-season for Luke Fickell.
14. Michigan State (5-6) - The Spartans held off a Purdue comeback to win 24-17 after leading 24-3 at halftime. They host Rutgers this Saturday needing a win for bowl eligibility.
15. UCLA (4-7) - The Bruins lost to rival USC and will be sitting at home this bowl season. A nice late season run gives some hope going in to next season. They host Fresno State this Saturday.
16. Maryland (4-7) - The Terps are still bad, losing to Iowa. They travel to Penn State this weekend with hopes to keep the Nittany Lions out of the playoff.
17. Northwestern (4-7) - The Wildcats were thumped at Xichigan, which means they are really really bad. They host Illinois at Wrigley Field this weekend.
18. Purdue (1-10) - The Boilermakers came back in the 2nd half before ultimately falling at Michigan State. They travel to Indiana on Saturday night and will lose by 60.
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