Week Four Big Ten Power Rankings
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Written By Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)
Week four is over and we head into the meat of Big Ten play in week five. Here is how it shakes out through the first third of the season.
Ohio State (4-0, defeated Tulane 49-6)
The Buckeyes continue to roll, looking sharper each week. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins again added to his Heisman campaign with an unbelievably efficient game. Haskins completed 21-of-24 passes for 304 yards and five touchdowns. All five of his touchdowns came in the first half as OSU posted 21 points in both the first and second quarter of the game. With Urban Meyer back on the sidelines, the Buckeyes will face their second true test of the season. After toppling TCU in Texas two weeks ago, Ohio State will travel to State College to play Penn State. A game which will play a massive factor in the Big Ten Championship race.
Next week: Ohio State plays at Penn State at 7:30PM ET
Penn State (4-0, defeated Illinois 63-24)
Penn State scored 63 points for the second consecutive week and the Nittany Lions are averaging over 55 points per game. Turnovers kept the game against Illinois interesting on Friday. In fact, the Fighting Illini took a 24-21 lead in the third quarter. However, seemingly in the blink of an eye, Penn State scored six straight touchdowns, including five in the fourth quarter. The Nittany Lions nearly compiled 400 yards rushing and their defense shut down Illinois throughout the final 25 minutes of gameplay. This Saturday, Ohio State comes to town. Is Penn State’s defense too shaky to ward off the fellow juggernaut? Or can Trace McSorley and the Nittany Lions outscore the Buckeyes? Soon we will be able to answer these questions.
Next week: Penn State hosts Ohio State at 7:30PM ET
Michigan (3-1, defeated Nebraska 56-10)
Michigan has improved each week since their week one loss at Notre Dame. As Notre Dame continues winning, that loss looks less damaging each week. This week, the Wolverines embarrassed Scott Frost and the Cornhuskers. Nebraska failed to score a point until five minutes remaining in the third quarter – after Michigan had already built up a 46-0 lead. Michigan’s defense has played up to their billing. With elite talent and depth at nearly every level, the Wolverine defense might be the best in the conference. Running back Karan Higdon has proved to be a reliable weapon as well. With Northwestern and Maryland on the schedule next, Michigan will have its first true test at home against Wisconsin on October 13th.
Next week: Michigan plays at Northwestern at 4:30PM ET
Wisconsin (3-1, defeated Iowa 28-17)
Wisconsin reasserted their dominance against a conference rival in what was the most pivotal game of their season thus far. One week after a shocking collapse against BYU, the Badgers proved why they must be taken seriously. Playing on the road against Iowa at night is no small task, and Wisconsin escaped with a win. After trailing 17-14 for almost the entire fourth quarter, Wisconsin put together a 10-play, 88-yard drive to take a 21-17 lead. A 33-yard touchdown run just 35 seconds later sealed the deal. Perhaps the most promising sign for the Badgers moving forward: quarterback Alex Hornibrook had an efficient, turnover-free game and running back Jonathan Taylor eclipsed 100 yards.
Next week: Wisconsin hosts Nebraska
Michigan State (2-1, defeated Indiana 35-21)
After an upset loss against Arizona State, question marks began to consume the Spartans. Although it wasn’t pretty, Michigan State answered those questions in Bloomington. MSU jumped out in front against the Hoosiers 14-0 with a fortunate pick-six. The Spartans held on without ever allowing Indiana to come too close for comfort. Boasting one of, if not the best run defenses in the country, Michigan State shut down Indiana’s previously successful run game. Quarterback Brian Lewerke made enough plays to come away with a win. While Michigan State doesn’t appear to be the powerhouse they were projected to be, the Spartans still belong in the upper echelon of the conference.
Next week: Michigan State hosts Central Michigan at noon ET
Maryland (3-1, defeated Minnesota 42-13)
Maryland rebounded nicely after a shocking home loss to Temple last week. The Terrapins slaughtered Minnesota behind solid performances at each phase of the game. Maryland’s defense held Minnesota to just 263 yards while forcing three turnovers. Their offense used a bevy of explosive plays to run up the score on the Gophers. This Maryland team is extremely hard to gauge. At times, they look athletic, physical, and very talented. However, the loss to Temple isn’t easily explicable. Maryland has a bye week coming up. On October 6th, we will find out what Maryland is really made of when they travel to the Big House to play Michigan.
Next week: bye week
Iowa (3-1, lost to Wisconsin 28-17)
Iowa had a golden opportunity to jump out to a 4-0 start with a win over Wisconsin. Iowa clung to a 17-14 lead until the final minute of the game on Saturday. Wisconsin’s steady run game and stout defense proved to be a little too much for the Hawkeyes. Statistically, Iowa had a very similar offensive output as Wisconsin. However, the Hawkeyes turned the ball over three times while the Badgers didn’t turn it over at all. Many times, that can be the difference maker in any game, and for Iowa it was. Iowa has a bye week before back-to-back road games against Minnesota and Indiana. Those next two games will reveal how legitimate Iowa truly is.
Next week: bye week
Indiana (3-1, lost to Michigan State 35-21)
A heartbreaking loss defined by missed opportunities and poor officiating derailed Hoosier hopes of a 4-0 start. On the first drive, quarterback Peyton Ramsey missed a wide-open Reese Taylor for what would have been a huge touchdown. In that moment, it felt like déjà vu for Hoosier fans. After an unlucky tipped pick-six, IU found themselves in a 14-0 hole. Indiana simply could not run the ball or get anything flowing offensively. A desperate comeback saw the Hoosiers pull the score to 28-21, but on the very first play of the drive, Michigan State scored on a 75-yard touchdown run. Indiana has another ripe opportunity against a struggling Rutgers team next week. If IU can get off to a 4-1 start to the season, Hoosier fans should be pleased.
Next week: Indiana plays at Rutgers at noon ET
Northwestern (1-2, bye week)
Despite having a bye week, Northwestern lost one of their best players. Star running back Jeremy Larkin was diagnosed with cervical stenosis, a spinal issue that will force the player to retire from football. After a week one victory on the road against Purdue, it’s been all downhill for the Wildcats. Northwestern will use a committee of running backs to replace Larkin and they will rely even more on quarterback Clayton Thorson. The Wildcats next two games consist of Michigan and Michigan State. Northwestern will need to pull off an upset to avoid starting the season 1-4.
Next week: Northwestern hosts Michigan at 4:30PM ET
Minnesota (3-1, lost to Maryland 42-13)
After cruising through their non-conference schedule, Minnesota got a harsh dose of Big Ten reality. In their first true road game, the Gophers got smacked by Maryland. Nothing went right for Minnesota in this game. They were outgained by Maryland 432 yards to just 263. Minnesota also turned the ball over three times without forcing one of their own on defense. The Gopher defense surrendered 315 rushing yards and were gashed by explosive plays. Minnesota allowed an 81-yard touchdown run, a 64-yard touchdown run, and a 54-yard touchdown pass. Things won’t get any easier for PJ Fleck and the Gophers as Iowa comes into town next week.
Next week: Minnesota hosts Iowa
Purdue (1-3, defeated Boston College 30-13)
Purdue avoided catastrophe on Saturday. Staring an 0-4 start and tough non-conference opponent, the Boilermakers took care of business against Boston College. In what was their fourth straight home game, Purdue finally looked like the team experts predicted them to be. Their defense played better than it has all season and the offense remains explosive. Despite a shaky start, Purdue could easily be 4-0. Following this week’s convincing win, there’s reason to thing Purdue has a very good chance at turning this slow start into a successful season.
Next week: Purdue plays at Nebraska at 3:30PM ET
Nebraska (0-3, lost to Michigan 56-10)
Hoosier fans know first-hand that it’s not entirely fair to judge a head coach during his first season with a team. Nonetheless, the Scott Frost experiment in Nebraska has not gone as planned. The Cornhuskers are 0-3 for the first time since the World War II era. After spirited efforts against Colorado and Troy, Nebraska came out flat in Michigan. The Wolverines decimated Nebraska from start to finish. Things won’t be getting much easier as the Cornhuskers host a resurgent Purdue team next week, followed by road games at Wisconsin and at Northwestern. Nebraska will need to pull off an upset sometime in the next few weeks if Scott Frost wants to earn his first win.
Next week: Nebraska plays at Michigan at noon ET
Illinois (2-2, lost to Penn State 63-24)
After a 2-0 start, the Fighting Illini are back where most pundits expected them to be. After a tough loss at Soldier Field where Illinois blew a lead to USF, Penn State ran all over the Illini. There were several positives to take away from what ended up being a blowout loss. In the first half, Illinois fought back from a 21-7 deficit to score ten unanswered points. Illinois actually led Penn state 24-21 in the third quarter. Unfortunately, nothing went right for the Illini after that. Head coach Lovie Smith’s team allowed Penn State to score 42 straight points, including 35 in the fourth quarter.
Next week: bye week
Rutgers (1-3, lost to Buffalo 42-13)
Each week Rutgers has seemed to further cement their status as the worst team in the conference. In fact, the 2018 Rutgers football team might be the worst team in all of college football. It’s fair to wonder if head coach Chris Ash will last until the end of the season. A roster without much talent has critically underachieved. That is a brutal combination, especially in the Big Ten conference. Not only was Rutgers dismantled by a MAC team, Buffalo outgained the Scarlet Knights 445 yards to 284. Frankly, Rutgers will struggle to win another game this season.
Next week: Rutgers hosts Indiana at noon ET