Noel’s Big Ten Power Rankings

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Where do the teams stand heading into Week 4?


1. Michigan (3-0)

Last week: #1

I don’t know what impresses me more, Blake Corum scoring five touchdowns on 12 carries or Michigan playing seven quarterbacks in one game.

Next Up: Maryland

  1. Ohio State (3-0)

Last week: #2

Ohio State gained 763 yards on offense against Toledo as C.J. Stroud had a beautiful day. Stroud threw for 367 yards and tossed five touchdowns. The Buckeyes start conference play with Wisconsin coming into town.

Next Up: Wisconsin

  1. Minnesota (3-0)

Last week: #3

Running back Mo Ibrahim ties Gopher great Darrell Thompson with 40 career touchdowns. No doubt he would’ve broken the record on Saturday if the Gophers weren’t up 35-0 at halftime.

Next Up: @ Michigan State

  1. Penn State (3-0)

Last week: #4

Watch out for Nick Singleton, the Nittany Lion freshman has rushed for 334 yards through three games. The most for a Penn State back since Larry Johnson in 2002. Penn State goes into Auburn and handles them easily, 41-12.

Next Up: Central Michigan

  1. Maryland (3-0)

Last Week: #7

Maryland jumped up two spots after hanging on and beating a good team in SMU. Some areas of concern for the Terrapins are mistakes and defense. Maryland had 15 penalties and gave up 520 yards to the Mustangs.

Next Up: @ Maryland

  1. Wisconsin (2-1)

Last Week: #10

Poor Jerry Kill and the Aggies of New Mexico State. NMSU travels to their second Big Ten West team in a month and gets trampled 66-7. Good response by the Badgers who lost to Washington State at home last week.

Next Up: @ Ohio State

  1. Michigan State (2-1)

Last Week: #5

The Spartan defense got carved up as Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw for 396 yards and four touchdowns, without a turnover or sack taking away from his stat line. Watch out for Keon Coleman. The Spartan wideout had nine catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns.

Next Up: Minnesota 

  1. Rutgers (3-0)

Last Week: #8

Greg Schiano became the winningest coach in program history as Rutgers beat Temple. The Scarlet Knights went into the game 18-point favorites but struggled without quarterback Noah Vedral.

Next Up: Iowa

  1. Indiana (3-0)

Last Week: #9

The Hoosiers have already surpassed last season’s victory total as each win has been coming back from behind. They are going to have to figure out how to start games faster as their schedule gets tougher from here on out.

Next Up: @ Cincinnati

  1. Iowa (2-1)

Last Week: #13

According to the internet, Iowa beat Nevada 27-0 this past weekend. The game was delayed three times due to weather and ended at 1:39 a.m.  So, the only people to witness it were the players, as the rest of the world was sleeping.

Next Up: @ Rutgers

  1.  Illinois (2-1)

Last Week: #11

Illinois keeps their same spot even though they didn’t play last week. Why? Well, look at the teams below them.

Next Up: Chattanooga

  1. Purdue (1-2)

Last Week: #6

The first three quarters was a snooze fest as Syracuse and Purdue couldn’t get anything going. The fourth quarter was something else as both teams scored a combined 42 points. Iowa transfer Charlie Jones continues to impress as he caught 11 balls for 188 yards and one touchdown.

Next Up: FAU

13. Northwestern (1-2)

Last Week: #12

Not much has gone right for the Wildcats since their season-opening win against Nebraska. The Northwestern defense couldn’t stop the pass and the offense had four turnovers. Ugly day down in Evanston.

Next Up: Miami (OH)

  1. Nebraska (1-2)

Last Week: #14

New head coach but the same result. Nebraska gets crushed by Oklahoma at home, 49-14. The good news for Mickey Joseph is that he is 0-0 in one-scoring games.

Next Up: Bye 

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