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Iowa football: Big Ten West shaping up after eight weeks

By Andrew Wade

IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 20: Defensive back Marcus Lewis #8 of the Maryland Terrapins breaks up a pass in the first half intended for tight end TJ Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 20, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 20: Defensive back Marcus Lewis #8 of the Maryland Terrapins breaks up a pass in the first half intended for tight end TJ Hockenson #38 of the Iowa Hawkeyes, on October 20, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 06: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes passes the ball under pressure from Kamal Martin #21 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the fourth quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Iowa defeated Minnesota 48-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 06: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes passes the ball under pressure from Kamal Martin #21 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the fourth quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Iowa defeated Minnesota 48-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Teams 5-7

Let’s be honest, these teams don’t have a chance at the Big Ten West title. These three teams are a combined 2-11 in conference play.

7. Illinois Fighting Illini

The Fighting Illini didn’t do anything wrong this weekend considering they were expected to lose to the Wisconsin Badgers. They didn’t even play a half bad game, but the Wisconsin Badger run game was entirely too much for the Illini to handle as they racked up 357 yards rushing on 54 carries.

Last week the Illini were sitting at sixth in the power rankings, and without doing anything really wrong, they drop because the Huskers finally won a game.

6. Minnesota Gophers

The Minnesota Gophers have truly taken a fall from grace from their 3-1 start. Since that strong start, the Gophers have lost four straight games, all in conference to Maryland, Iowa, Ohio State, and Nebraska.

This team isn’t a bad squad, but they are running into a tough schedule and a string of bad luck. Next week, they take on Indiana before facing Illinois in hopes they can get back on the winning track.

5. Nebraska Cornhuskers

THEY FINALLY WON A GAME!

Yes, all caps were needed to reward the Huskers for finally getting a notch in the win column with a dominating victory over the Minnesota Gophers. This team has way too much talent to be 1-6, but here we are.

While they still technically remain bowl eligible and will likely win against next week against Bethune-Cookman, there isn’t much hope for this season.

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