Big Ten Poll Reactions, Week 12: Not including Rutgers...yet
Published November 19, 2012, 10:03:17 AM
This week'spolls have been released. Here's how the Big Ten fared, from the top of the polls to the bottom, and what it means:
(AP/Coaches)
4/UR. Ohio State
Notre Dame, Alabama and Georgia may have been the biggest beneficiaries of Oregon and Stanford losing, but there were benefits for Ohio State as well. And I don't just mean moving up two spots from sixth to fourth. At the moment the Buckeyes and Notre Dame are the only unbeatens remaining, and depending on how things shake out for the rest of the season and in the bowl games, Ohio State has legitimate shot at a split national championship if it can beat Michigan on Saturday.
17/14. Nebraska
Nebraska beat up on Minnesota this week yet it actually drops a spot in the AP poll thanks to UCLA beating USC. Of course, it's hard for Nebraska to have any beef about that considering it lost to UCLA earlier this season. Though Nebraska's ranking doesn't actually matter at this point. The only thing on Nebraska's mind is beating Iowa this week and then beating Wisconsin in Indianapolis. If it does that it's going to the Rose Bowl, ranking be damned.
20/20. Michigan
Denard Robinson gets injured and suddenly Michigan is playing its best football of the season. The Wolverines pasted Iowa this week and move up three spots in both polls. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, if they want to go to the Rose Bowl, not only do they need to beat Ohio State this week but they also need the Iowa team they just demolished to beat Nebraska. There are lottery tickets with better odds right now.
Also receiving votes: Northwestern's win over Michigan State leaves it the highest ranked Big Ten team not in the top 25, but it is still plenty of votes short of cracking it. Aside from Northwestern, only Wisconsin got any love, and it didn't get much of it.
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