Big Ten Power Rankings - Week 3

A major shakeup near the top of the rankings after an unexpected loss

By Chris Lucia Sep 17, 2018, 8:08am EDT

1. Ohio State (3-0, 1-0)

The Buckeyes took care of business against TCU, and look to be the class of the Big Ten. The clash with Penn State on September 29th looms large.

2. Penn State (3-0)

The Lions appear to have righted the ship, but they play like a young team - silly penalties and getting caught out of position. They may not get blown out by anyone this season, but their youthful exuberance may cost them.

3. Iowa (3-0)

I guess Iowa goes here? They’re undefeated, which most of the Big Ten cannot say, and have looked solid the last couple weeks. They take on Wisconsin this week, which will be very telling for both teams.

4. Michigan (2-1)

Michigan will be very good on defense, and continually questionable on offense under Jim Harbaugh. I see no reason to think they could beat the teams ahead of them at this point in time.

5. Wisconsin (2-1)

Oh Wisconsin. You had such high hopes for the season. They’re still a dangerous team, but a loss to Iowa this weekend could send the team into a tailspin.

6. Michigan State (1-1)

Yay Sparty didn’t lose! They had a bye week, but still!

7. Indiana (3-0)

Well looky here! Indiana is undefeated! From here on out, the B1G is a bit of a jumble, but the undefeated flotsam floats to the top.

8. Minnesota (3-0)

Yeah we’ll throw Minnesota in right here. The best of the rest, as it were.

9. Maryland (2-1)

Really Maryland? Really? Look, I get losing to Temple. Sometimes they get you with a two-man rush. Things happen. But 35-14? At home? Yikes.

10. Northwestern (1-2, 1-0)

And then there’s Northwestern. Pat Fitzgerald doesn’t like communism, but perhaps he should have been more concerned about kangaroos.

11. Purdue (0-3, 0-1)

Purdue, is winless on the season, by a combined eight points. Hurray for being bad, but not bad bad?

12. Illinois (2-1)

I’m actually marginally impressed that the Illini didn’t lose to USF by more. Silver linings? Moral victories? Other such idioms?

13. Nebraska (0-2)

Wow. Wow wow wow. Troy - as in Troy, Alabama - beat Nebraska. The Cornhuskers. Of Nebraska. Lost to Troy. In football. Wow.

14. Rutgers (1-2, 0-1)

Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly be any ~~dumber~~ worse at football, you go and do something like this . . . and ~~totally redeem yourself~~ LOSE BY 41 POINTS TO KANSAS!