Around the Big Ten & Power Rankings: Week 12

1. Ohio State (9-1)

The Buckeyes didn't falter in what could've been a letdown game coming off the win over Michigan State, holding off No. 25 Minnesota on the road, 31-24. The game was also key to Ohio State's playoff hopes, as they now return home with two very winnable games left on the schedule. J.T. Barrett threw for 200 yards, three touchdowns and an interception and ran for 189 yards plus another score on the ground.

Ohio State hosts Indiana on Saturday.

2. Michigan State (8-2)

The Spartans rebounded from the Ohio State loss with a 37-15 win over Maryland.

Michigan State hosts Rutgers this weekend.

3. Wisconsin (8-2)

The No. 20 Badgers made a statement with a 59-24 win over No. 16 Nebraska, and the big story here is, of course, Melvin Gordon. If you haven't heard, Gordon set the single-game FBS rushing record with 408 yards on the ground. He also ran for four touchdowns. But the craziest part of it? He did it all in just three quarters. Check out some of his best runs of the day.

Wisconsin plays at Iowa in Week 13.

4. Nebraska (8-2)

The Cornhuskers fell to Wisconsin and Melvin Gordon, 59-24. It was only Nebraska's second loss of the season. Ameer Abdullah played despite sustaining a slight MCL sprain two weeks ago, but ran for just 69 yards on 18 carries and was thoroughly outshined by Gordon. Tommy Armstrong Jr. completed only six-of-18 passes for 62 yards. The Huskers actually led 10-0 midway through the first quarter, but it all went downhill from there.

Nebraska hosts Minnesota on Saturday.

5. Minnesota (7-3)

The Gophers made it a game against Ohio State but didn't have enough to knock off the Buckeyes in a 31-24 loss. Mitch Leidner had a rough day, completing 7-of-19 passes for 85 yards and two interceptions. David Cobb led the way on offense with 145 yards on the ground and three scores. It was 20 degrees and snowing in Minneapolis, and if you haven't seen this video of a man on the Gophers' sideline eating an ice cream bar, you need to.

Minnesota plays at Nebraska this weekend.

6. Maryland (6-4)

7. Iowa (7-3)

The Hawkeyes bounced back from getting blown out by Minnesota with a 30-14 win over Illinois. Jake Rudock threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns and C.J. Beathard completed 3-of-3 passes for 73 yards and a score. Jake Duzey added 110 receiving yards on three catches and Ray Hamilton caught two touchdowns.

Iowa hosts Wisconsin in Week 12.

8. Penn State (6-4)

The Nittany Lions became bowl eligible with a 30-13 win over Temple and have now won two in a row. Christian Hackenberg had another rough day, though, completing 12-of-26 passes for 112 yards and two interceptions. Akeel Lynch and Bill Belton led the offense with 130 and 92 rushing yards, respectively. PSU led just 6-3 at halftime before exploding for 24 second-half points.

Penn State plays at Illinois on Saturday.

9. Rutgers (6-4)

The Scarlet Knights also gained bowl eligibility with a 45-23 win over Indiana. Rutgers was down 16-10 early in the third quarter after a Hoosier score, but the Knights scored three straight touchdowns to take a 31-16 lead heading into the final quarter. Gary Nova passed for 217 yards and two touchdowns and Robert Martin rushed for three scores.

Rutgers plays at Michigan State this weekend.

10. Michigan (5-5)

The Wolverines were off this weekend. On Monday, senior defensive end Frank Clark was dismissed from the program following being arrested for domestic violence on Sunday.

Michigan hosts Maryland in Week 12.

11. Northwestern (4-6)

The Wildcats continued their very strange season with a 43-40 upset of No. 18 Notre Dame. It broke a four-game losing streak and was their second win over a ranked team this season (they also beat Wisconsin), to go along with six losses. It was also the first time Northwestern scored over 30 points this season, and the 43 points against the Irish were more than they had scored in their previous three games combined.

Jack Mitchell kicked a 45-yard field goal to send the game into overtime, then kicked a 41-yarder in OT to win it. Justin Jackson rushed for 149 yards and a score and Trevor Siemian threw for 284 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions.

Northwestern plays at Purdue on Saturday.

12. Illinois (4-6)

The Fighting Illini got quarterback Wes Lunt back from a leg fracture, but it wasn't enough against Iowa. Lunt completed 14-of-25 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown and Reilly O'Toole also saw some snaps and passed for a score. Both touchdown passes went to Mike Dudek, who had six catches for 80 yards.

llinois hosts Penn State this weekend.

13. Purdue (3-7)

The Boilermakers had a bye in Week 12. Purdue hosts Northwestern this weekend.

14. Indiana (3-7)

The Hoosiers lost their fifth game in a row with a 45-23 defeat to Rutgers. An early third quarter touchdown actually put Indiana up 16-10 before the Scarlet Knights came to life with three straight end zone scores. In almost any other week, Tevin Coleman would've been the conference's rushing star with 307 yards and a touchdown, but his performance came in the shadow of Melvin Gordon in Week 12. Shane Wynn added a touchdown and 120 receiving yards.

Indiana travels to Columbus to play Ohio State on Saturday.