Hoosier Huddle's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week Three
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Written by Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)
Week 3 Power Rankings
Week three proved to be a wild one in the Big Ten. There were upsets and blow outs and lots of controversy.
1. Ohio State (3-0, 1-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Defeated Indiana 51-10
The Ohio State Buckeyes look like far and away the best team in the conference. No one could argue against that. Through three weeks, Ohio State looks like very well could run the table and make the playoff. Week three saw a supremely talented Buckeye team waltz into Memorial Stadium in Bloomington and wipe the floor with the Hoosiers. OSU beat IU 51-10 in a game where Justin Fields threw for three touchdowns and 199 yards and JK Dobbins added 193 yards rushing and a touchdown of his own. Ohio State executed flawlessly in all three phases, blocking a punt on special teams and more than doubling the Hoosiers’ total yardage output. The Buckeyes will remain atop the B1G power rankings until proven otherwise.
Next Week: Miami of Ohio vs. Ohio State
2. Wisconsin (2-0, 0-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
OFF
Wisconsin had a week of rest to prepare for their first Big Ten game at home against Michigan. The Badgers will remain at the number two spot for now.
Next Week: Michigan @ Wisconsin (Noon on FOX)
3. Iowa (3-0, 1-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Defeated Iowa State 18-17
In a rivalry game delayed for hours by weather, Iowa clawed their way to victory on the road against Iowa State. It was a back and forth contest, with Iowa ultimately holding on by one point thanks to a field goal with four minutes remaining. Iowa was out-gained in yardage 418 to 313 and in first downs 20 to 18. The Hawkeyes were able to maintain time of possession and held the advantage in rushing yards. Nate Stanley threw for 201 yards and Iowa played mistake free football with only 15 yards worth of penalties and zero turnovers. Iowa will have a bye next week. Iowa’s defense gave up a lot of yardage but ultimately did enough to win the game, coming up with timely stops and winning the turnover battle.
Next Week: OFF
4. Penn State (3-0, 0-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Defeated Pitt 17-10
A classic rivalry game between in-state foes Pitt and Penn State saw the Nittany Lions escape with a one-score victory. It was a sloppy performance by both teams and closely contested throughout. Pitt out-gained PSU 396 yards to 389 and torched the Nittany Lion secondary for 372 yards passing. Pitt couldn’t capitalize on all that yardage however, amassing just ten points on the day. Penn State would survive with the deciding factor ultimately being a 13-yard touchdown run from Noah Cain. While the Nittany Lions certainly didn’t look like the fourth best team in the conference on Saturday, aside from Ohio State, the Big Ten looked awful as a whole on the weekend.
Next Week: OFF
5. Michigan (2-0, 0-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
OFF
Michigan had a week of rest to prepare for their first Big Ten game on the road against Wisconsin.
Next Week: Next Week: Michigan @ Wisconsin (Noon on FOX)
6. Nebraska (2-1, 0-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Defeated Northern Illinois 44-8
Nebraska got back on track after a devastating overtime loss last week against Colorado. On a day when the Big Ten saw numerous close games, the Cornhuskers joined OSU as the only teams to walk away with a convincing victory. Nebraska took advantage of an inferior opponent in Northern Illinois. The Huskers overwhelmed the Huskies, accumulating a remarkable 525 yards of total offense on a balanced attack: 287 yards passing and 238 yards rushing. Nebraska was in desperate need of a confidence builder after last week’s heartbreaker. The Huskers look to continue this upward trend against a shaky Illinois team next week.
Next Week: Nebraska @ Illinois
7. Minnesota
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Defeated Georgia Southern 35-32
Minnesota was coming off a narrow overtime victory over Fresno State late at night on the west coast last week. The Gophers had another scare at home against Georgia Southern, a team Indiana beat two seasons ago 52-17. A neck and neck contest that went down to the wire, Minnesota led by just one point at halftime. In the fourth quarter, Georgia Southern scored two quick touchdowns and led the game 32-28 with just three minutes remaining. The Gophers pulled off what they needed for a clutch win: a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped off with a two-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Morgan. Minnesota is off next week and they will have to clean some things up.
Next Week: OFF
8. Northwestern (0-1, 0-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Defeated UNLV 30-16
The largest jump of the week belongs to Northwestern, who now sits back at .500 after a bye week. Northwestern defeated UNLV three field goals and three touchdowns, including a 50-yard touchdown strike from Hunter Johnson to JJ Jefferson. Northwestern hopes to build off this win and continue their momentum from last season, which saw them rise all the way to the Big Ten title game. The Wildcats outgained UNLV 441 yards to 330 and won the turnover battle three to one. Northwestern will begin conference play next week at home against Michigan State in what should be a low-scoring contest.
Next Week: Michigan State @ Northwestern (Noon on ABC)
9. Michigan State (2-1, 0-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Lost to Arizona State 10-7
The Spartans suffer a massive drop in the power rankings after what was an embarrassing performance by the entire conference. Michigan State finds themselves falling five spots mainly because of an offense that is incapable of moving the football. For the second straight year, the Sun Devils got to MSU. The Spartans elite defense held Arizona State to just 216 yards of total offense and ten points, but it wasn’t enough. Michigan State managed 291 passing yards but could not run the football. The Spartans also committed ten penalties for almost one hundred yards. Michigan State must get back on track fast if they want to keep their title hopes alive. MSU has games on each of the next four straight weeks.
Next Week: Michigan State @ Northwestern
10. Maryland (2-1, 0-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Lost to Temple 20-17
Temple always plays the Terrapins tough and Saturday was no exception. Maryland set the world on fire, scoring 79 and 63 points in their first two games. Coming of an eye-popping blowout win against Syracuse, Maryland found themselves ranked all the way up at 21. That did not last long as the Temple Owls took it to the Terrapins, winning a closely fought battle with a fourth quarter touchdown. Maryland’s explosive offense was out-gained by almost 100 yards. The Terrapins could only manage 3.5 yards-per-carry for 161 total rushing yards and passed for just 179 yards. Maryland won the turnover battle three to one but could not capitalize. The Terrapins have next week off before beginning Big Ten play at home against Penn State.
Next Week: OFF
11. Indiana (2-1, 0-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Lost to Ohio State 51-10
The Hoosiers were embarrassed at home by one of the very best teams in the country. There’s not much that can be taken away from Saturday’s game between Indiana and Ohio State. For starters, quarterback Michael Penix did not play due to an undisclosed, but apparently minor injury. Penix, while talented and promising, would not have made much of a difference on Saturday. While Indiana has certainly come a long way in terms of their roster talent, the gap between IU and OSU is still downright overwhelming. Ramsey could not overcome the talented Buckeye defense and running the ball wasn’t even an option. Indiana will play a weaker opponent, to say the least, next week at home against UConn. The Hoosiers need to execute and regain their confidence after getting blown out.
Next Week: UConn @ Indiana
12. Purdue (1-2, 0-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Lost to TCU 34-13
The Boilermakers got embarrassed at home by what was thought to be an evenly matched TCU team. With big-armed quarterback Elijah Sindelar unable to play because of a concussion, backup Jake Plummer took the reins. Purdue kept it close for a half, trailing just 13-6 after 30 minutes, but the onslaught began quick in the third. Plummer completed just 13 passes and coach Jeff Brohm’s offense only gained 204 yards as a team. TCU on the other hand, more than doubled Purdue’s yardage total. The Horned Frogs gained an astonishing 346 yards on the ground on 58 rushing attempts – good enough for 6.0 yards-per-carry. Year three of the Brohm era was filled with high expectations. Instead, a 1-2 start has the Boilers needing to regroup. Luckily, Purdue is off next week.
Next Week: OFF
13. Illinois (2-1, 0-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Lost to Eastern Michigan 34-31
Illinois lost a heartbreaker at home against Eastern Michigan as time expired. As Lovie Smith searches for answers, he keeps coming up empty. Now in his fourth season as head coach of Illinois, the Fighting Illini have gone just 11-28—and losing to a MAC at home must sting. A frantic comeback saw the Illini score two touchdowns in the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter, only to surrender an eight-play, 68-yard drive and lose on a last-second field goal. Quarterback Brandon Peters racked up 297 yards and two touchdowns but was inefficient, throwing 15 incompletions on 37 attempts and an interception. The Illini still escaped conference play with a winning record, but there’s not hiding from Saturday’s loss.
Next Week: Nebraska @ Illinois
14. Rutgers (1-1, 0-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
OFF
Rutgers was off last week and will remain in last place barring an upset victory at home next week against Boston College.
Next Week: Boston College @ Rutgers