BoilerUpload - Boiler Upload's Big Ten power rankings: Week #4
Where does your team land in this week's Big Ten power rankings?
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1. Michigan: (3-0)
Week three result: 31-6 win over Bowling Green
Week four matchup: vs. Rutgers
Michigan continued to roll without Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines, moving to 3-0 after a trio of matchups with mid-major programs.
JJ McCarthy
had an off game with three interceptions, but a two score day from star running back
Blake Corum
helped lead the offense to its third straight 30 point effort. The Wolverine’s defense had yet another great performance (shocking, I know) and are allowing less than a touchdown per game.
Michigan now has a date with a soaring Rutgers squad, who is 3-0 and will come into Ann Arbor with confidence led by Greg Schiano. Expect the Wolverines to send Rutgers back down to Earth.
2. Penn State: (3-0)
Week three result: 30-13 win over Illinois
Week four matchup: vs. Iowa
James Franklin and Penn State get it done once again behind a dominant defensive performance. The Nittany Lions forced four interceptions and came up with a fumble while holding Illinois to just 13 points on the day. It wasn’t the prettiest win, but Penn State asserted its dominance down the stretch and walked out of Champaign with another double-digit win.
The victory sets up a showdown of 3-0 teams next weekend as the Nittany Lions host Iowa in Happy Valley.
3. Ohio State: (3-0)
Week three result: 63-10 win over Western Kentucky
Week four matchup: at Notre Dame
We finally saw Ohio State’s offense at full power as the
Kyle McCord
led unit dropped a season-high 63 points on Western Kentucky, while the defense continued to dominate and gave up just 10 to a typically high powered attack.
The Buckeyes are improving at a great time as a top ten matchup with Notre Dame awaits them in South Bend next weekend. Ohio State has the opportunity to further establish itself as a National Championship contender or make winning the Big Ten a necessity to get into College Football Playoff contention.
4. Maryland: (3-0)
Week three result: 42-14 win over Virginia
Week four matchup: at Michigan State
The Terps continued their winning ways on Friday night, moving to 3-0 on the young season. Although, their week three victory came against 0-3 Virginia, who is amongst the worst Power 5 teams in the nation this year.
Mike Locksley’s defense came up big against the Cavs, forcing four turnovers on four consecutive possessions in the second half, three of which led to touchdowns by the offense. The Terps offense took advantage of the miscues as
Roman Hembry
and the rushing attack scored four times themselves.
Maryland now moves into conference play undefeated with Michigan State and Indiana next up on the schedule before a date with Ohio State.
5. Iowa: (3-0)
Week three result: 41-10 win over Western Michigan
Week four matchup: at Penn State
Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes were on upset alert for much of the first half against Western Michigan before turning on the jets and finishing the job en route to a 31-point win in Iowa City.
The offense ran through running back
LeShon Williams
, who accounted for 172 yards and a receiving touchdown.
Anterio Thompson
had a blocked punt for a safety and the
Jeremiah Pittman
recovered a fumble in another strong day for the Iowa defense and special teams units.
The Hawkeyes face their real first test of the year with a roadtrip to Happy Valley next weekend in the only conference game between two ranked teams this week.
6: Rutgers: (3-0)
Week three result: 35-16 win over Virginia Tech
Week four matchup: at Michigan
Rutgers continued its hot start on Saturday by defeating Virginia Tech at home to reach 3-0 for a third straight year.
Kyle Monangai
has been one of the Big Ten's top running backs this year and had a 143-yard, three touchdown performance on just 16 to carry Rutgers against the Hokies. The defense of Greg Schianohas also been stellar so far, giving up just 10 points per game.
The biggest surprise in the conference has been Greg Schiano's team, who have looked good through three weeks. How much of that is inferior competition, though? We're about to find out when Rutgers travels to Michigan, who is deservedly favored by 25+ points.
7. Minnesota (2-1)
Week three result: 31-13 loss to North Carolina
Week four matchup: at Northwestern
Minnesota suffered its first defeat of the season on Saturday falling to North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Quarterback play continues to hold back the Minnesota offense, who is scoring just 17 points per game (last in the Big Ten). Although, freshman
Darius Taylor
has quickly become the bell cow running back for PJ Fleck. The Gophers also gave up 31 points to the
Drake Maye
led offense, which may end of being the most the stout group allows this season.
Minnesota should get back in the win column in week four against Northwestern and hopes to get the offense on track before a two-game stretch against Michigan and Iowa in October.
8. Wisconsin: (2-1)
Week three result: 35-14 win over Georgia Southern
Week four matchup: at Purdue
It took the Badgers awhile, but they finally broke away from Georgia Southern in the second half to avoid a massive upset at home.
The new Phil Longo offense has struggled to throw the ball so far this year, but
Braelon Allen
and
Chez Mellusi
have been steady out of the backfield. After not having any takeaways through the first two weeks, Luke Fickell’sdefense showed out on Saturday with five interceptions.
Wisconsin will travel to Purdue on Friday night and look to extend its winning streak to 17 against the Boilermakers.
9. Michigan State: (2-1)
Week three result: 41-7 loss to Washington
Week four matchup: vs. Maryland
The impending decision on Mel Tucker's coaching career looms over Michigan State at the moment, but Saturday likely would have gone the same way even if Tucker was on the sidelines.
The Spartans allowed over 700 yards and 41 points to the nation's fourth-best offense in Washington.
Noah Kim
and the Michigan State offense came back down the Earth a bit after a fast start to the year as well.
Things won't get much easier for Sparty next week as they host 3-0 Maryland to try and avoid dropping two straight after an encouraging start to the season.
10. Purdue: (1-2)
Week three result: 35-20 loss to Syracuse
Week four matchup: vs. Wisconsin
Purdue remains winless at home through two games in Ross-Ade Stadium this season, falling to Syracuse on Saturday night.
Hudson Card
and the offense had a tough outing under the lights, fumbling seven times (losing three) and having an interception against the Orange. After a strong showing against Virginia Tech, Purdue’s defense took a step back on Saturday. The group allowed
Garrett Shrader
to run for 195 yards and four scores in the loss.
Now 1-2, Purdue will host Wisconsin on Friday night, a team it hasn’t beaten since 2003.
11. Illinois (1-2)
Week three result: 30-13 loss to Penn State
Week four matchup: vs. FAU
It's been a tough start to the year for Bret Bielema and Illinois, dropping their second straight game over the weekend, this time an ugly loss to Penn State.
Similar to Purdue, turnovers killed the Illini as
Luke Altmyer
had four interceptions before being benched for Ball State transfer
John Paddock
. Illinois' defense held up well through much of the first half, but got worn down and allow its third straight game of 28 points or more.
The Illini have an opportunity to get back to .500 against FAU next Saturday before the Big Ten slate is in full swing.
12. Indiana (1-2)
Week three result: 21-14 loss to Louisville
Week four matchup: vs. Akron
Jeff Brohm continued his success against Indiana on Saturday afternoon, but did it in different colors. The former Purdue head coach led Louisville into Lucas Oil Stadium and narrowly defeated Indiana 21-14.
Tayven Jackson
had the best game of his young career, throwing for 299 yards and nearly leading a second half comeback. Running back
Jaylin Lucas
also had a stellar performance for an underrated group of skill players. Indiana's defense has also been a strong point for Tom Allenso far.
Expectations were low for Indiana coming into the season, but the Hoosiers have shown some fight through their first three games of the year. Expect a bounce back performance against 1-2 Akron in week four.
13. Northwestern (1-2)
Week three result: 38-14 loss to Duke
Week four matchup: vs. Minnesota
A week after securing its first win of the season, Northwestern fell back into the loss column during its trip to Duke. The Blue Devils handled business and sent the Wildcats back to Evanston with a 38-14 defeat.
It was another rough day for the offense, which mustered less than 300 yards of offense for the second time this year.
Riley Leonard
and Mike Elko'soffense had their way as well, rushing for 268 yards and five scores in the win.
14. Nebraska (1-2)
Week three result: 35-11 win over Northern Illinois
Week four matchup: vs. Louisiana Tech
Nebraska is on the board. Matt Rhule picked up his first win as head coach of the Huskers in a 35-11 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday.
Rhule made a change at the quarterback spot, giving
Heinrich Haarberg
the start and was rewarded with a strong performance. Haarberg had 158 yards passing and two touchdowns, but added 98 yards and a score on the ground. The Huskers' defense bounced back after a tough game against Colorado the week prior as well.
Nebraska should take care of business against a 2-2 Louisiana Tech squad next weekend to move into Big Ten play at .500, but still remain at the bottom of the Big Ten power rankings.
