Noel’s week three Big Ten power rankings

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  1. Iowa (3-0) 

Last Week: Defeated Kent State 30-7

Tyler Goodson led the #5 Hawkeyes with 153 yards and 3 touchdowns. Iowa held Kent State to a total of 264 yards on offense. For the first time this year, Iowa didn’t win the turnover battle. 

Up Next: Colorado State 

  1. Penn State (3-0)

Last Week: Defeated #22 Auburn 28-20

With referees’ miscues and USC rumors swirling around, Penn State was able to beat #22 Auburn in Happy Valley. Good enough to jump Ohio State and claim the 2nd spot in our weekly power rankings. 

Up Next: Villanova 

  1. Ohio State (2-1)

Last Week: Defeated Tulsa 41-20

Freshman running back TreVeyon Henderson booked Archie Griffin’s 49-year-old freshman rushing record, running for 277 yards and three touchdowns. No one doubts how good the offense is, but Ohio State defense gave up 501 yards to Tulsa, who is 0-3

Up Next: Akron

  1. Wisconsin (1-1)

Wisconsin was idle this past week. 

Up Next: Notre Dame 

  1. Michigan (3-0)

Last Week: Defeated N Illinois 63-10

Who needs to pass when you can run for almost 400 yards? Michigan took care of Northern Illinois 63-10 with Blake Corum going for 125 years and 3 touchdowns. Michigan starting QB Mcnamara only attempted 11 passes. 

Up Next: Rutgers 

  1. Michigan State (3-0)

Last Week: Defeated #24 Miami 38-17

The Spartans silenced many doubters to their surprising season by going to #24 Miami and beating them 38-17. Quarterback Payton Thorne is 8th in the nation with 9 touchdowns this season and he threw 2 of those in the 4th quarter which Michigan State put up 21 points to put away Miami 

Up Next: Nebraska 

  1. Minnesota (2-1) 

Last Week: Defeated Colorado 30-0 

Pretty impressive response from the Gophers, who went from barely beating Miami (OH) last week to shutting out and dominating Colorado at their place. It was the Gophers’ first shutout since 2006 and first at a power conference since 1977. 

Up Next: Bowling Green 

  1. Rutgers (3-0)

Last Week: Defeated Delaware 45-13

Rutgers is 3-0 for the first time since 2012 as they beat Delaware 45-13. Rutgers offense is averaging 37 points a game but will face their toughest test next week as they go to Ann Arbor. 

Up Next: Michigan 

  1. Maryland (3-0)

Last week: Defeated Illinois 20-17

It sure wasn’t the prettiest game and it is never a sure thing to go on the road on the Big Ten to win but Maryland got it done thanks to a 32-yard field goal by Joseph Petrino as time expired against Illinois. 

Up Next: Kent State 

  1. Nebraska (2-2) 

Last Week: Lost to Oklahoma 23-16

Watching the game, you would have had no idea Nebraska were 22 point underdogs against Oklahoma as their defense kept them in the entire game. If only Adrian Martenez can get some help on the offensive line. 

Up Next: @Michigan State 

  1. Purdue (2-1)

Last Week: Lost to Notre Dame 27-13

For 3 quarters this game was close until Notre Dame scored 10 unanswered points in the 4th quarter. Already without their starting running back, WR stud David Bell entered concussion protocol and could be out this upcoming week. 

Up Next: Illinois 

  1. Indiana (1-2) 

Last Week: Lost to Cincinnati 38-24

Indiana started the game off strong with 14 consecutive points until Cincinnati scored 17 straight. Up by 1 at the end of the 3rd quarter, Cincinnati would score the only points in the 4th by scoring two touchdowns. Indiana Qb Michael Penix Jr struggled, throwing three interceptions. 

Up Next: @ Western Kentucky 

13. Northwestern (1-2) 

Last Week: Lost to Duke 30-23

Duke would score the first 27 points and then hold on to beat Northwestern 30-23. Northwestern QB Andrew Marty was 11/16 for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns but didn’t have enough time to get out of the hole Northwestern dug itself into at the beginning of the game. 

Up Next: Ohio 

  1. Illinois (1-3) 

Last Week: Lost to Maryland 20-17

Good News: They held Maryland to 20 points as they entered the game scoring 46 points a game. Bad News: They only scored 17 points. 

Up Next: @ Purdue

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