There have already been some Big Ten teams playing each other, but most have been fighting their way through their non-conference schedule. The Big Ten as a conference is 42-12 through the first three weeks of the season (USC is 4-0 thanks to Week 0). As conference play kicks off for all the teams, here are the Power Rankings of the Big Ten.
1. Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers look like the best team in the Big Ten, and their 3-0 start to the season only proves it. While they haven't beaten any good teams, the Hoosiers have also allowed only 16 points against them (and that was all in the first game). Indiana hasn't allowed any points in two straight games, and they've outscored their opponents 145-16.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
This was a big debate because Ohio State has a loss on their resume already. Yet, I'm a big proponent of not knocking teams willing to play hard competition. The Buckeyes lost a close one to the Texas Longhorns. That matchup could happen again in the College Football Playoff. The two wins for Ohio State were blowouts.
3. Iowa Hawkeyes
It's hard to dislike what the Hawkeyes are up to this season. Sitting at 3-0 with one Power-4 victory on their resume, beating Iowa State. The other two wins: the Hawkeyes shut out their opponents, scoring 95-0.
4. USC Trojans
The only team sitting at 4-0 in the Big Ten, thanks to a game in Week 0. The Trojans have looked both good and bad this season. It seems like USC looked past Rutgers and almost blew that easy win. Yet, a win is a win, especially in the Big Ten. Now the real test comes against Oregon this week.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions are 3-0 but have yet to really face any sort of a test. Temple did the best against them, but so far Penn State hasn't had a single challenge. Wisconsin comes to town this Saturday for a litmus test for both teams.
6. Washington Huskies
The Huskies had a scare against Utah State but rebounded nicely against Eastern Washington. The Huskies have to take on Minnesota this week, and Badgers fans are rooting for the other UW.
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Another undefeated team that has yet to see anyone on the schedule. So, until conference play, you can't knock them, but you also can't overly reward them.
8. UCLA Bruins
The Bruins went into a barnburner against Purdue this last week and eventually pulled away late. It's hard to tell if UCLA is going to be good or bad. The defensive showing against the Boilermakers was hard to watch, but the offense was clicking.
9. Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern was getting slammed by Colorado for playing in a library, but then it was the Wildcats who sent the Buffaloes home with their tail between their legs. It's hard to trust Northwestern due to the history of football at that school, but they have a 2-0 start, with Indiana up next.
10. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks have to frustrate their fanbase year after year. No team comes into seasons with more hype than Oregon, and while usually the Ducks wait most of the season to disappoint, this year they got it out of the way early. A loss to Oklahoma State was embarrassing for them and the conference.
11. Wisconsin Badgers
Now we get into two schools that have the same problem; they both had to face Notre Dame in the non-conference schedule. The Badgers haven't looked great in non-conference play until this last game against Eastern Michigan. Now, a win over Penn State on Saturday would change everything.
Related: Luke Fickell explained why Wisconsin finally forced turnovers, it needs to be the norm
12. Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans also had to face Notre Dame but have otherwise looked good to start the year. Well, relatively speaking.
13. Michigan Wolverines
Undefeated? I mean, sort of. This team essentially lost to Western Michigan, looked decent against Oklahoma, and then took forever to wake up against UTEP. I'm not buying anything that the Wolverines are selling, and I am in the camp of people who think they actually have one loss.
14. Illinois Fighting Illini
The loss to Duke stings and now they have to play an angry Buckeyes team on the road. Yikes.
15. Maryland Terrapins
A win over Virginia Tech would have really helped this team and maybe even pushed Mike Locksley out of the hot seat, but it was not to be, and now they are finding themselves at the bottom of the conference Power Rankings again.
16. Minnesota Golden Gophers
This team got smoked by Mississippi State and that's all that needs to be said right now.
17. Purdue Boilermakers
Almost pulled it off against UCLA, but literally didn't have a defense out there. It was like traffic cones on the field, as UCLA seemed to get whatever they wanted from Purdue. However, quarterback Ryan Browne looked great.
18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Lol. Rutgers.
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