Penn State football holds steady in the week four Big Ten power rankings

Week 3 has concluded and overall it was a weaker week across the conference. Three of the league’s top teams were on the bye week including Penn State football. In the higher-profile non-conference games, the conference suffered some blowout losses as well. But there were some nice wins sprinkled into the week. After another weekend of college football, how do the Big Ten power rankings shape up heading into week four? And where did the Nittany Lions end up?

18. Purdue, 1-1 (Last week 17)

Wrote in last week’s edition of the Big Ten power rankings, “The Irish are coming off their upset loss against Northern Illinois so could be a bad time to be Purdue.”  Think I underestimated how much of a shellacking it would be as the Boilermakers barely put up a fight in their 66-7 loss to the Irish.

Purdue should just burn the tape and move on to the next week. They will travel to Corvallis to take on Oregon State next Saturday night.

17. UCLA 1-1, (Last week 14)

The Bruins conference debut was spoiled by Indiana at the Rose Bowl on national TV. Perhaps UCLA was too high in these rankings to start the season. After a come-from-behind victory at Hawaii in Week 2, there would be no such comeback this time.

It does not get any easier for the Bruins over the next several weeks. Up next is a road trip to take on LSU followed by a home game against Oregon. Do not expect the Bruins to get a boost in the Big Ten power rankings during that stretch.

16. Minnesota, 2-1 (Last week 18)

A boring first half led to the Darius Taylor show in the second half as the Gophers blanked Nevada 27-0. Taylor ran for two scores, including an 80-yard run to the house, and caught another score as well.

Next up the Floyd of Rosedale trophy will be on the line as Minnesota hosts Iowa next Saturday evening.

15. Northwestern, 2-1 (Last week 15)

The Wildcats started slow but went on to roll Eastern Illinois 31-7 in their last non-conference game of the season. Northwestern did not turn over the ball and put up 450 total yards on offense.

The Wildcats open conference play with a road trip to Seattle to face Washington.

14. Indiana, 3-0 (Last week 16)

Indiana celebrated their first trip to the Rose Bowl since 1968 with a win 42-13 win over UCLA, rising two spits in the Big Ten power rankings because of it. The last time Indiana started 3-0 was in 2022 but that season ended with a 4-8 thud. The Hoosiers are hoping for a better outcome this season. They will return home to host Charlotte next Saturday.

13. Maryland, 2-1 (Last week 9)

The Terps were down to Virginia 13-7 at halftime in Charlottesville but scored the last 20 points in the game to record their second win of the season. Maryland failed to take much advantage of Virginia’s four turnovers. They did manage one touchdown while their other three possessions immediately following the turnovers ended in two punts and a missed field goal.

Maryland will conclude their non-conference slate with a home game against Villanova.

12. Illinois, 3-0 (Last week 15)

Illinois kept the winning momentum going against Central Michigan with a 30-9 victory. Quarterback Luke Altmyer tossed two touchdowns and kicker Ethan Moczulski kicked a school-record 59-yard field goal.

Illinois is now ranked in the AP poll. If the Illini get by a tough Nebraska team on the road, it will set the stage for a ranked matchup with Penn State in two weeks that no one predicted before the season.

11. Rutgers, 2-0 (Last week 11)

Rutgers had the week off to prepare for their matchup with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

10. Iowa, 2-1 (Last week 10)

Iowa was down 14-10 to Troy at the halftime break but rallied in the second half to win 38-21. Running back Kaleb Johnson had a monster game with 173 yards and two scores on the ground.

With non-conference play now in the rearview mirror, the Hawkeyes turn to conference play with a game in Minneapolis on deck.

9. Michigan State, 3-0 (Last week 9)

Michigan State’s game against Prairie View A&M was never in doubt as the Spartans rolled to a 40-0 shutout of the Panthers. Not much else to say about this one. The Spartans conclude non-conference play at Bill O’Brien’s Boston College next Saturday night.

8. Washington, 2-1 (Last week 6)

The first Apple Cup non-conference contest in over 60 years ended with the Huskies failing on a late 4th and goal, falling to Washington State 24-19. The Huskies can partially blame their lack of discipline as they were tagged for 16 accepted penalties for 135 yards.

Washington will look to rebound by hosting Northwestern next Saturday for their first-ever Big Ten conference game.

7. Wisconsin, 2-1 (Last week 5)

An around bad day for Wisconsin as they were thumped by Alabama 42-10. It was the Badger’s worst loss in Camp Randall since a 48-7 loss against Penn State in 2008. To add insult to injury, Badger quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was carted off the field and never returned. The injury did not look good and the Badgers will need Braedyn Locke to step up.

Wisconsin appears to have zero identity on offense. They have an off week to try to fix some things before traveling to Los Angeles to take on USC.

6. Nebraska, 3-0 (Last week 8)

For the first time since the 2016 season, Nebraska has started 3-0 after their defeat of Northern Iowa 34-3. All the pundits are praising quarterback Dylan Raiola and rightfully so as he has been sharp in the Husker’s first three games. However, the Husker defense deserves a lot of credit, having only given up a total of 20 points thus far.

The competition does kick up a notch as the Huskers will welcome Illinois to Lincoln on Friday night which could have a big impact on the power rankings.

5. Michigan, 2-1 (Last week 7)

Here is something you don’t see every week. Michigan quarterback Davis Warren did not throw a single incompletion in the Wolverines 28-18 victory over Arkansas State. But he threw three interceptions and finished 11 for 14 with no touchdowns. The Wolverines relied heavily on the ground game, with 301 yards, to grind out the win.

So far this Michigan team has taken a step back from last year’s national championship team. Was to be expected since they lost so much. The Wolverines open conference play hosting USC on Saturday.

4. Oregon, 3-0 (Last week 4)

After two lackluster performances, Oregon put a hurt on rival Oregon State during the Civil War. The Ducks prevailed 49-14 with a fantastic performance from quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who threw two touchdowns and ran for another. It was the Ducks’ first win in the Corvallis series since 2018.

3. Penn State, 2-0 (Last week 3)

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

The Nittany Lions had a week off to clean up the problems on defense that plagued their first-half performance against Bowling Green. They host Kent State this coming Saturday and the Golden Flashes are coming off a 71-0 defeat at Tennessee. Kent State is one of FBS’s worst teams, so Penn State should not struggle against them. If the Nittany Lions come out sluggish again, it may be time to worry about this year’s team.

2. USC, 2-0 (Last week 2)

The Trojans had the week off to prepare for their conference opener at Michigan this coming Saturday.

1. Ohio State, 2-0 (Last week 1)

The Buckeyes also had a bye week. They host Marshall to conclude their non-conference schedule and remain on top of the Big Ten power rankings.

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