CFB: Gophers get ready for Penn State

1. Ohio State (8-0, 5-0, bye week): Ohio State is coming off a bye week before their matchup versus Maryland at home. The Buckeyes are going to win this game going away, as they have for the majority of their games, behind the likes of Justin Fields (1,659 yards, 24 touchdowns), JK Dobbins (1,110 yards, nine touchdowns), and Chase Young on the edge. Ohio State finishes the season versus Maryland, Rutgers, #4 Penn State, and #14 Michigan.

2. Penn State (8-0, 5-0, bye week): The Nittany Lions were off last weekend as they gear up for #17 Minnesota on the road. Both teams are undefeated and the winner will stay in contention for the College Football Playoff. Sean Clifford (1,931 yards, 20 touchdowns) has looked really good in his first year as the starter and he'll be key in Penn State taking down Minnesota. Penn State will also have to try and contain Rodney Smith on the ground.

3. Minnesota (8-0, 5-0, bye week): Minnesota was also on a bye ahead of their matchup against Penn State. I know the Golden Gophers haven't played anyone this year, which is why they're 7.0-point underdogs at home, but an 8-0 start is impressive against anyone. Rodney Smith (889 yards, seven touchdowns) must have a big game against Penn State. The Nittany Lions have a really good defensive front and Minnesota has to win that battle.

4. Wisconsin (6-2, 3-2, bye week): The Badgers haven't played since their loss against #1 Ohio State a few weeks back and they will try to bounce back at home versus #18 Iowa. Wisconsin looked great in September and early October but losses to Illinois and Ohio State have put their season in jeopardy. They have work to do in order to reach the Big Ten championship game. Jonathan Taylor (1,009 yards, 15 touchdowns) must go for 150+ yards versus Iowa.

5. Michigan (7-2, 4-2, win at Maryland): Michigan has looked good in their last 10 quarters but it's not going to mean anything in the long run if this team can't beat Ohio State at the end of the year. That's what we're all looking forward to and that's what the Wolverines are gearing up for. In the win over Maryland, quarterback Shea Patterson threw for 151 passing yards and one touchdown. Michigan gets a bye week before facing Michigan State.

6. Iowa (6-2, 3-2, bye week): The Hawkeyes are yet another team that was off last weekend. It's probably a good thing because they might need an extra week to get ready for Taylor and the Wisconsin offensive line. This game is pretty much do or die for both programs. The winner still has a chance to reach the Big Ten title game and the loser will likely be eliminated from contention. Ihmir Smith-Marsette (463 yards, 30 catches) will look to stretch the field.

7. Indiana (7-2, 4-2, win over Northwestern): Indiana is certainly one of the most pleasant surprises in the Big Ten (and even the entire country) and I didn't see it coming to say the least. I thought this team was going to go 5-7 and here they are at 7-2 with three games left. It's not going to be easy as they face #4 Penn State and #14 Michigan before Purdue in the season finale but this season has been a success no matter what.

8. Illinois (5-4, 3-3, win over Rutgers): The Fighting Illini have been pretty good since their loss to Eastern Michigan as they have earned Big Ten victories over #6 Wisconsin, Purdue, and Rutgers. They also did a pretty good job fighting back versus #16 Michigan. It looks like with three games remaining, Illinois is going to reach a bowl game. And a win over Michigan State on Saturday, Nov. 9 would prove that the Fighting Illini have really improved this season.

9. Michigan State (4-4, 2-3, bye week): Michigan State has been disappointing this year but there is still time to fix that. They have four games left against Illinois, #14 Michigan, Rutgers, and Maryland. The Spartans will be favored in all but the Michigan game so if they can just pull off one upset, the season could be saved. Brian Lewerke (1,761 yards, 11 touchdowns) has to be better against the Fighting Illini and beyond if they are going to win a few of these.

10. Nebraska (5-4, 2-4, lost at Purdue): The Cornhuskers stay ahead of Purdue just because it looks like they're likely going to reach a bowl game and the Boilermakers probably won't, but that loss hurts. Adrian Martinez threw for 247 yards, but he threw another interception, which hurt them. Scott Frost has to get his team ready to go following a bye week. They get Wisconsin, Maryland, and Iowa to finish the year. Nebraska needs at least one win.

11. Purdue (3-6, 2-4, win over Nebraska): Purdue's senior is almost lost but until they lose that seventh game, they still have a chance to make a bowl game and that would certainly be a success with all of the injuries they've dealt with. They kept their bowl hopes alive with a 31-27 win over Nebraska at home behind King Doerue's 71 rushing yards and one score on 15 carries. The Boilermakers will head to Northwestern on Saturday, Nov. 9.

12. Maryland (3-6, 1-5, loss to Michigan): The Terrapins have completely fallen off after a 2-0 start and they looked absolutely lost on Saturday afternoon against the Wolverines. Maryland was supposed to compete with the likes of Penn State and Michigan at home and in those two games, they got outscored 97-7. That's not going to cut it. Oh and guess what? Now they get to go to Columbus and get beat up by #1 Ohio State. Good luck, Maryland.

13. Rutgers (2-7, 0-6, loss at Illinois): Rutgers has shown us year in and year out that they don't deserve to compete in the Big Ten and it's a challenge to watch them play at this point. Maybe college football should take a note from the Premier League and implement relegation. The worst team from each conference would be forced to move down to a lower league for the next year. So maybe we could send Rutgers to the MAC and bring up Western Michigan.

14. Northwestern (1-7, 0-6, loss at Indiana): The Wildcats have completely fallen off the map and they are the worst team in the conference for the time being. In their most recent outing, they went to Indiana and lost 34-3. That's not a good sign for the future of this program. Even the defense, who is supposed to be Pat Fitzgerald's saving grace, gave up 116 yards and two touchdowns to Steve Scott III. This season is a lost one.

Photo Credit: The Daily Gopher.