Big Ten power rankings after week 12: Ohio State goes down

For the second time in three years, Michigan State has upset an undefeated and favored Ohio State squad and ruined their season. Two years ago, Michigan State won and went on to win the Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl. If the Spartans beat Penn State this week, they'll take on Iowa in the Big Ten title game.

Big Ten East

Michigan State controls their own destiny now and Ohio State still has to beat Michigan in the Big House to keep their hopes of a Big Ten title alive. Michigan can still win the division too if they beat the Buckeyes and the Spartans stumble at the finish.

1) #6 Michigan State (10-1, 6-1)

Michigan State's defense held Ohio State's offense to 132 yards, the lowest output of any Urban Meyer team ever. The Spartans control their own destiny and a win against Penn State will likely set up a showdown against (likely undefeated) Iowa for the Big Ten title and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Up Next: at Penn State (7-4, 4-3)

2) #12 Michigan (9-2, 6-1)

That Punt Six really hurts now. Michigan has to beat Ohio State in the "The Game" AND has to get help from Penn State in order to win the division.

Up Next: #8 Ohio State (10-1, 6-1) at home

3) #8 Ohio State (10-1, 6-1)

Ohio State didn't show up when they needed to and Urban Meyer got outcoached last week. The team vented to the media after the game and they have some things to work out before heading to Ann Arbor for "The Game" against rival Michigan.

The Buckeyes are still in it but they need to beat Michigan and get help from Penn State.

Up Next: at #12 Michigan (9-2, 6-1)

4) Penn State (7-4, 4-3)

The Nittany Lions lost at home to Michigan last week but can play spoiler in the Big Ten East if they beat Michigan State.

Up Next: #6 Michigan State (10-1, 6-1) at home

5) Rutgers (4-7, 1-6)

Rutgers only beat Army by 10 last week. Maryland had an epic second-half meltdown and lost to the Scarlet Knights last year. Can Rutgers make it two wins in a row against the Terps?

Up Next: Maryland (2-9, 0-7) at home

6) Indiana (5-6, 1-6)

The Hoosiers got their first Big Ten win of the season last week against Maryland. They have a good shot to get their second against the Boilermakers.

Up Next: at Purdue (2-9, 1-6)

7) Maryland (2-9, 0-7)

The Terps are the only Big Ten team without a win in conference play. Will they finally get over the hump in their season finale?

A loss would give Maryland their third 10-loss season in the last six years.

Up Next: at Rutgers (4-7, 1-6)

Big Ten West

Iowa locked up the Big Ten West and punched their ticket to Indianapolis with their win last week. Could they (along with Clemson) end up as an undefeated Power 5 team when the playoff starts?

1) #3 Iowa (11-0, 7-0)

The Hawkeyes punched their ticket to the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis by beating Purdue. Can they finish out the regular season undefeated? Nebraska is hungry and has already knocked off one top-10 team this season.

Up Next: at Nebraska (5-6, 3-4)

2) #17 Northwestern (9-2, 5-2)

The Wildcats don't have a shot at the Big Ten title but they are looking to cap off a great season. They head to Illinois for their season finale. Northwestern has only had one 10-win season in their history. Can they make it two this week?

Up Next: at Illinois (5-6, 2-5)

3) Wisconsin (8-3, 5-2)

The Badgers lost out on second place in the division when Northwestern simply out-muscled and out-hustled them. Wisconsin finishes up at Minnesota. Wisconsin finished with a whopping -26 rushing yards. That's a negative folks.

Up Next: at Minnesota (5-6, 2-5)

4) Nebraska (5-6, 3-4)

Nebraska needs a win to become bowl eligible. The only problem for the Cornhuskers is that the team they have to beat is the undefeated, Big Ten West champion Iowa Hawkeyes. This game will be played on Friday instead of Saturday.

If Nebraska wins, it would shake up the College Football Playoff race.

Up Next: #3 Iowa (11-0, 7-0) at home

5) Minnesota (5-6, 2-5)

It has been an emotional season for the Golden Gophers and it comes to a close this week against the physical Wisconsin Badgers.

Up Next: Wisconsin (8-3, 5-2) at home

6) Illinois (5-6, 2-5)

Interim head coach Bill Cubit has done a great job with this group and Illinois (when they hire a new athletic director) should definitely look to retain him, regardless of what happens in this game.

Up Next: #17 Northwestern (9-2, 5-2) at home

7) Purdue (2-9, 1-6)

The Indiana in-state rivalry game will probably be a high-scoring affair. Both teams are looking for their second Big Ten win, and Purdue's head coach needs this win a lot more than Indiana's does.

Up Next: Indiana (5-6, 1-6) at home