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Big Ten West Power Ranking: Did Iowa Fall, Again?

By Jeremy Karll

Sep 24, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) drops back to pass during the first half of their game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) drops back to pass during the first half of their game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at High Points Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 – Nebraska Cornhuskers

Last Week: 1

The Oregon Ducks lost to Colorado this past week, therefore Nebraska’s win over the then-ranked Oregon Ducks is becoming less significant. Still, there’s no denying that this isn’t just one of the best teams in the Big Ten, but in the entire nation, as well. The defense is holding teams to just 18 points per game and the offense is scoring 38.5 points per contest.

With Illinois, Indiana and Purdue next on their schedule, the Cornhuskers have a good chance of starting the season 6-0. They’ve already jumped to #15 in the AP Poll, and the Big Ten West has a chance to be decided in Iowa City during the last week of the season.

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The biggest takeaway from Nebraska this year, though, is the quarterback play of Tommy Armstrong Jr. The senior quarterback has struggled with turnovers in the past, but he has thrown just one interception to eight touchdowns in 2016. Not to mention he’s also completing 56.6 percent of his passes and is just two yards shy from leading the team in rushing yards with 281 on the season. In a nutshell, Armstrong has a slim chance of being a Heisman Finalist if he and Nebraska keep playing like this.

When it comes down to it, Nebraska is one of the most well-rounded teams in the nation. Armstrong and Devine Ozigbo give them a formidable running game, and four players have at least nine receptions on the year. Defensively, they’ve intercepted nine passes and have 10 sacks on the young season.

Plus, if it wasn’t for two goal line fumbles, the Cornhuskers would have demolished Northwestern a week ago. They ended up winning 24-13, however it very well could have been 38-13.

The Cornhuskers haven’t had the grueling schedule Wisconsin has, which is why they fell to number two this week. Still, they look like a true threat to the rest of the Big Ten and have a shot at taking down the Badgers in a couple of weeks.

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