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HuskerCorner’s Big Ten Football Power Rankings Heading Into Week 6

By Oliver Vandervoort

Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Chris Jones (8) celebrates during the final moments against the Oregon Ducks in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers cornerback Chris Jones (8) celebrates during the final moments against the Oregon Ducks in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) tackles Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Rodney Smith (1) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Oct 1, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) tackles Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Rodney Smith (1) during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Minnesota 29-26 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /

Minnesota dropped a couple of spots in the Big Ten football power rankings thanks to their first loss of the season. The squad came into its contest against Penn State looking to make a statement against a weak opponent.

Instead, the Golden Gophers might have allowed the Nittany Lions to resurrect their season. It seems at the very least, James Franklin’s seat isn’t scorching hot this week. The game between the two teams was an old-fashioned, Big Ten conference slugfest with neither team landing a knockout blow until the overtime.

Despite Mitch Leidner throwing for 241 yards (on 24-40 passing) and the Gophers managing to run for a total of 228 yards, they lost to Penn State in overtime. Even in that extra period, the two teams were exchanging jabs, with Minnesota getting a field goal and then the Nittany Lions answering with a touchdown.

It’s pretty clear that the Gophers are not among the best teams in the conference this year, they’ve had too many close games against middle of the road opponents. At the same time, they could eventually rise in the Big Ten football power rankings if they can win winnable games. That includes this weekend’s contest against Iowa.

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