Week Three Big Ten Power Rankings

Written by Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)

Week three was a body blow to the Big Ten as multiple teams took ''L’s” to Group of Five teams. There is a major shake up in our power rankings.

Ohio State (3-0, defeated TCU 40-28)

Ohio State asserted their dominance once again. This time, against another national powerhouse in TCU. It was a tight game at AT&T Stadium after one half before TCU jumped out to a 21-13 lead in the third quarter. Then the Buckeyes exploded for three touchdowns in four minutes. Powered by 344 yards passing from Dwayne Haskins and 121 yards on the ground from JK Dobbins, Ohio State validated their status as a playoff contenders. The Buckeyes held TCU scoreless in the fourth quarter. As expected, through three games, OSU is head and shoulders above every other team in the Big Ten conference.

Next week: Ohio State will host Tulane at 3:30PM ET

Penn State (3-0, defeated Kent State 63-10)

Penn State was one of the few Big Ten teams who took care of business on Saturday. The Nittany Lions obliterated Kent State, out-gaining them 643 yards to 221. Penn State executed all three phases of the game to head into conference play undefeated. While the Nittany Lions have yet to be tested, veteran quarterback Trace McSorley has proven he can manage the talent around him. Penn State will have one more tune-up game against Illinois before hosting Ohio State at the end of the month.  

Next week: Penn State plays at Illinois at 9PM ET on Friday

Michigan (2-1, defeated SMU 45-20) 

Through 25 minutes of gameplay it looked like the Big Ten might have another catastrophe on its hands up in Ann Arbor. Then, Shea Patterson and Michigan’s vaunted defense stepped up to the plate. After a slow start, the Wolverines got a 35-yard touchdown catch from Donovan Peoples-Jones and a 73-yard interception return to end the half. Once they established a 21-7 lead, Michigan never looked back. As they coasted to a 45-20 victory, the Wolverines gave their fans confidence heading into conference play. Harbaugh seems to have his team firing on all cylinders after a disappointing week one loss to Notre Dame.

Next week: Michigan hosts Nebraska at noon ET  

Iowa (3-0, defeated Northern Iowa 38-14)

Iowa toppled another in-state foe one week after defeating Iowa State last week. The Hawkeyes destroyed Northern Iowa at home, cruising to an undefeated start to the season. A clean sweep for mid-tier Big Ten teams is key to sustained success, and Iowa did just that. Iowa’s defense has been dominant through three games, surrendering just 24 total points. This weekend, Iowa’s offense finally broke loose. Iowa accumulated 338 passing yards and over 200 rushing yards while holding Northern Iowa to 228 total yards and just six yards rushing. If Iowa’s defense looks this dominant in Big Ten play, the Hawkeyes will be a serious threat. Iowa will be tested immediately next week. 

Next week: Iowa will host Wisconsin at 8:30PM ET 

Michigan State (1-1, bye week)

By virtue of not playing, Michigan State finds themselves in the upper tier of the power rankings. So many Big Ten teams laid an egg that the Spartans moved up one slot this week. An early bye week ended up being beneficial for Michigan State’s recovery following the loss at Arizona State. Next week MSU travels to Bloomington where they look to avoid dipping below .500. The Hoosiers have a golden opportunity to take advantage of a Spartan team who might be lacking for confidence after an early upset loss.

Next week: Michigan State travels to Bloomington to face the Hoosiers at 7:30PM ET 

Wisconsin (2-1, lost to BYU 24-21)

After being spoken of as one of the best teams in the country, Wisconsin completely fell apart at home against BYU. For the first time since 2003, the Badgers lost a non-conference game at home. Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook was inefficient and threw an untimely interception. Wisconsin’s dangerous rushing attack couldn’t sustain enough momentum to put BYU away. Instead, BYU kicked a go-ahead field goal with ten minutes remaining and prevented the Badgers from making a comeback. Wisconsin’s season abruptly turned from playoff hopeful to damage control. A road game against Iowa next week will test the Badgers’ resiliency.

Next week: Wisconsin plays at Iowa at 8:30PM ET 

Indiana (3-0, defeated Ball State 38-10)

First things first, head to www.HoosierHuddle.com for all the best Indiana football coverage you can find. Indiana looked and played like a true Big Ten team against Ball State. After having lost three of the last four meetings to Ball State, IU absolutely dominated the Cardinals this weekend. The Hoosiers were nearly flawless in every phase of the game. J-Shun Harris had an 86-yard punt return, IU’s defense held Ball State to just 143 passing yards, and the Hoosiers racked up 457 yards of offense themselves. A 38-10 beatdown gave IU their first 3-0 start since 2015. Taking care of the non-conference schedule is pivotal for the Hoosiers’ success, and Tom Allen’s team got it done in convincing fashion. Indiana has a chance to build on a very special season with Michigan State coming to town next week.

Next week: Indiana hosts Michigan State at 7:30PM ET 

Minnesota (3-0, defeated Miami of Ohio 26-3)

Minnesota was one of the few Big Ten teams who held their own on Saturday. The Gophers controlled the entire game against Miami of Ohio, a winless MAC team. Minnesota’s defense was on display, keeping Miami (OH) under 200 yards of total offense and just three points. Quarterback Zack Annexstad hasn’t been overly impressive, but he’s played well enough to get coach PJ Fleck and the Gophers off to a 3-0 start for the second straight year. Last year, Fleck’s Gophers lost seven of their final nine games. Will this year be a different story?

Next week: Minnesota plays at Maryland at noon ET  

Maryland (2-1, lost to Temple 35-14)

After a blistering start for Maryland, including an upset victory over Texas, the Terps experienced a massive letdown at home. The Temple Owls waltzed into College Park and put a whooping on Maryland. Temple surprised Maryland, jumping out to a 21-7 lead and cruising to a 35-14 victory. Maryland’s offense looked broken against Temple. The Terrapins only tallied 195 yards against an inferior opponent. After two convincing wins, Maryland is back to being a major question mark.

Next week: Maryland hosts Minnesota at noon ET 

Northwestern (1-2, lost to Akron 39-34)

After a week one conference victory on the road against Purdue, Northwestern’s season is now in shambles. Perpetually plagued by slow starts, Pat Fitzgerald’s team will head into conference play behind the eight ball again. Northwestern was winning 21-3 at halftime and everything seemed fine. Then, Akron erupted for 36 second half points including three defensive touchdowns. NW quarterback Clayton Thorson threw a 97-yard pick six and a 50-yard pick six to hand Akron the upset victory. Northwestern has next week off before hosting Michigan at the end of the month. Wins will be hard to come by for the Wildcats from here on out.

Next week: Bye week 

Nebraska (0-2, lost to Troy 24-19)

Scott Frost was living the dream upon taking over the Nebraska head coaching job. That dream has now devolved into a nightmare as the Huskers are 0-2 for the first time since 1957. An injury to quarterback Adrian Martinez derailed any hopes Nebraska had of improving as a team from week one to week two. Troy shocked the home crowd in Lincoln, Nebraska, jumping out to a 17-0 lead and never letting off the gas. Nebraska’s schedule won’t get any easier as they’ll travel to the Big House to play Michigan next week. Wins will be hard to come by in Scott Frost’s debut season.

Next week: Nebraska plays at Michigan at noon ET 

Purdue (0-3, lost to Missouri 40-37)

Sound the alarms in West Lafayette, Brohm’s Boilermakers have yet to win a game this season. Purdue looked like they were going to get steamrolled, falling behind to Mizzou 27-10. Then David Blough happened. Blough broke a Purdue record throwing for 572 yards on 39-of-55 passes. The aerial attack from Purdue wasn’t enough to ward off NFL QB prospect Drew Lock and Missouri. Lock threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers gashed Purdue for over 600 yards of offense. Purdue’s schedule won’t get any easier as they face another powerful offense in Boston College next week. The Boilermakers could be staring at an 0-4 start after many media outlets pegged Purdue for a successful season.

Next week: Purdue hosts Boston College at noon ET 

Illinois (2-1, lost to USF 25-19)

Heartbreak struck Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday as the Fighting Illini blew a lead late in the fourth quarter against USF. To be frank, it was a complete meltdown for Lovie Smith’s ball club. Illinois took a commanding 19-7 lead into the fourth quarter in a game they were heavy underdogs. USF scored 18 unanswered points in the final 15 minutes, ending the game with a 50-yard passing touchdown to seal the game. Illinois squandered a great opportunity to start the season 3-0. Now the Fighting Illini will have their work cut out for them in conference play as they host Penn State next week.

Next week: Illinois hosts Penn State at 9PM ET on Friday

Rutgers (1-2, lost to Kansas 55-14)

Rutgers football has somehow reached a new low. After getting decimated by the Buckeyes last week, the Scarlet Knights got flat-out embarrassed by one of the worst power five football teams in the nation. Kansas made Rutgers look like a high school team after a 55-14 route. It’s hard to imagine how head coach Chris Ash will recover from this brutal start to his tenure. Next week things may not be easier as Rutgers will host an undefeated Buffalo team.

Next week: Rutgers hosts Buffalo at noon ET