Big Ten Football: Week 4 Power Rankings

The Big Ten had a very rough week, going 6-5 after looking like an incredible deep conference that could rival the SEC. Many teams are left reeling in the realization they will have correct these issues before conference play really starts to kick off next week. Ohio State looks to be firmly planted at the top while the next level being split between Wisconsin, Penn State, Michigan and Iowa. There is still a lot of play to decide where the dust will settle for the remainder of the Big Ten.

No. 14 Rutgers (1-1, 0-1 B1G)

Previous: No. 14; Last Result: Bye

After a rough loss at Iowa, Rutgers had a week to watch film and regroup as much as possible before wrapping up their non-conference with a game against Boston College, who themselves just lost to Kansas at home. Rutgers has one very big opportunity in front of them before they are thrown into the Big Ten East gauntlet, with their first Big Ten game on 9/28 at Michigan.

No. 13 Illinois (2-1, 0-0 B1G)

Previous: No. 11; Last Result: Loss against Eastern Michigan 34-31

The Fighting Illini fell to Eastern Michigan on a 24-yard field goal as time expired, giving Illinois their first loss of the season. This loss was a tough one for Lovie Smith’s team as they were trying to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2011. Illinois will be looking to start conference play off with an upset as they will be hosting Nebraska next week.

No. 12 Indiana (2-1, 0-1 B1G)

Previous: No. 9; Last Result: Loss against Ohio State 51-10

Indiana displayed a big difference in their play against Ohio State than their first two opponents. The Hoosiers were overwhelmed from the start and could not keep the Buckeyes from lighting up the scoreboard, getting outscored 44-7 in the last three quarters of play. All three phases of Indiana’s game were having trouble getting anything to work against the number six team in the country. Indiana will face UConn next Saturday for their last non-conference game before Big Ten play gets into full swing.

No. 11 N’western (1-1, 0-0 B1G)

Previous: No. 12; Last Week Result: Win against UNLV 30-14

Northwestern’s victory over UNLV today ensured every Big Ten team won at least one game this year. The running game worked to perfection, but QB Hunter Johnson had his struggles once again. The five-game-in-six-week gauntlet for Northwestern starts next Saturday. The matchups: MSU, at Wisconsin, at Nebraska, Ohio State, and Iowa.

No. 10 Purdue (1-2, 0-0 B1G)

Purdue already has its second loss on the season with a game that was mostly one-sided against TCU. Purdue still has a lot to prove and there is not quite a verdict on Jeff Brohm’s team. Despite having a number of star players on the roster that looked good on Saturday, there are still many outstanding questions for the Boilermakers to answer as they head straight into conference play.

No. 9 Maryland (2-1, 0-0 B1G)

In their third game, the Terps could not match their offensive output displayed the first two weeks. They put up just 340 total yards and went 5-for-21 on third downs as well as 1-for-6 on fourth downs. The defense was able to acquire two safeties on the scoreboard, but the offensive rushing attack was stopped at the goal line at the end by the Temple defense. With this performance, Maryland may fall out of the Top 25 after just breaking in, and with a week off they will need to be ready for their matchup against Penn State in two weeks.

No. 7 (Tie) Minnesota (3-0, 0-0 B1G)

Minnesota is one of four 3-0 teams in the Big Ten and one of six of the undefeated teams in the conference, but they have a lot of concerns. Another down-to-the-wire win over a vastly overmatched Georgia Southern does not inspire confidence, as Big Ten conference play starts next week with a trip to Purdue. Fortunately, they will ease into conference play with games against Purdue, Illinois, Nebraska, and Rutgers before playing 4 of their last 5 weeks against ranked B1G teams.

No. 7 (Tie) Nebraska (2-1, 0-0 B1G)

Under the lights in Lincoln, Scott Frost’s squad stomped a tough NIU team to exact a little revenge for the defeat the Huskies handed to the Huskers in 2017. Nebraska accumulated 525 total yards, and QB Adrian Martinez had his first interception-free game of the season. Next for Nebraska is a primetime tilt at Illinois, before facing the Buckeyes at home.