Covering the Land of Lincoln

Big Ten football power rankings after Week 3: PSU rises, MSU falls

Another weekend of Big Ten football is, finally, in the books. Iowa had to play through multiple weather delays to finally put the finishing touches on its victory over Nevada before 3:00 am ET. It was quite a long day for the entire Big Ten with a handful of teams taking hard losses in non-conference play; Nebraska to Oklahoma, Michigan State at Washington, Purdue at Syracuse, and Northwestern at home against Southern Illinois.

Of course, there were some positives to share around the Big Ten. Penn State’s win at Auburn was impressive, even if the Tigers are in a rebuilding state of mind. Ohio State and Michigan did what was expected of them, and Indiana and Maryland each came up with tight victories against their visitors.

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With everything in the books for Week 3, here is a look at my updated Big Ten power rankings as we begin to reflect on Week 3 and look ahead to Week 4.

Sep 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers interim head coach Mickey Joseph looks on during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Lost to Oklahoma, 49-14

last week: 14

Nebraska couldn’t hold on to a lead against Oklahoma and gave up 49 points in the final 57 minutes. Bowl hopes are quickly evaporating in Lincoln even after a coaching change.

Next game: vs. Indiana (Week 5)

Sep 17, 2022; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald during the first half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Lost to Southern Illinois, 31-24

last week: 12

The only thing preventing Northwestern from the bottom spot here is a head-to-head win over Nebraska, but the Wildcats are without a win this season on American soil.

Next game: vs Miami Ohio

Sep 17, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Gavin Williams (25) runs the ball against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Beat Nevada (and the weather), 27-0

last week: 13

If Iowa scores points after midnight, do they even count?

Iowa scoring touchdowns at 2:20 am ET. Dang it, I love this stupid sport.

— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) September 18, 2022

Next game: at Rutgers

Sep 17, 2022; Syracuse, NY, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver TJ Sheffield (8) is pushed out of bounds by Syracuse Orange defensive back Garrett Williams (8) in the fourth quarter at JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Lost at Syracuse, 32-29

last week: 7

Purdue had one of the roughest losses on the road at Syracuse thanks to a flurry of untimely penalties. Things have gotten off to a rocky start for the Boilermakers, but they could be a team to still watch closely in the Big Ten West if they regain some momentum.

Next game: vs Florida Atlantic

Sep 10, 2022; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Keith Randolph Jr. (88) and teammates celebrate Saturday’s 24-3 win over the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Won vs Virginia, 24-3

last week: 10

Illinois had the week off while the rest of the conference was in action. They should be looking at a 3-1 record after Week 4 though.

Next game: vs Chattanooga (Thursday)

Sep 17, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Rene Konga (90) looks on against the Temple Owls in the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Won at Temple, 16-14

last week: 8th

They don’t have to be pretty as long as you go home with a win. That was the case for Rutgers, who left Philly with a win despite not scoring an offensive touchdown against the Owls.

Next game: vs. Iowa

Sep 17, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers tight end Aaron Steinfeldt (84) flexes for the crowd during warm-ups before the game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Won vs Western Kentucky, 33-30 (OT)

last week: 9

The Hoosiers are 3-0 after coming out on top in overtime against Western Kentucky. The Hoosiers may be about to hit their wall, but they already have a Big Ten win in their pocket too.

Next game: at Cincinnati

Sep 17, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Isaac Guerendo (20) rushes with the football during the first quarterback against the New Mexico State Aggies at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Beat New Mexico State, 66-7

last week: 11

After a tough defensive battle last week, Wisconsin’s offense took care of business against woeful New Mexico State. It’s a nice confidence boost but a mighty challenge awaits the Badgers next week.

Next game: at Ohio State

Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Tuli Letuligasenoa (91) tackles Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) for no gain during the second quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Lost at Washington, 39-28

last week: 3

Michigan State takes a tumble this week after failing to show up at Washington this weekend. The Spartans started too slowly against former Hoosiers quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and the Huskies, who may be better than some thought before the start of the season.

Next game: at vs Minnesota

Sep 17, 2022; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Antwain Littleton II (31) rushes during the second half against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Won vs. SMU, 34-27

last week: 6

Maryland needed a fourth-quarter comeback to top the Mustangs, but Maryland is now 3-0 and feeling pretty optimistic going into next week. Next week will be a stiff challenge for the Terps.

Next game: at Michigan

Sep 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minn., USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Bryce Williams (21) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Won vs. Colorado, 49-7

last week: 5

Minnesota continues to pound the opposition. Mohamed Ibrahim continues to shine after another 202 yards and three touchdowns in the latest win. Minnesota outscored their first three opponents 149-17.

Next game: at Michigan State

Sep 17, 2022; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Parker Washington (3) makes a catch against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Won at Auburn, 41-12

last week: 4

Penn State traveled down south and took over Jordan-Hare Stadium. Penn State’s dominant win over the Tigers was fueled by the youth movement with Nick Singleton and linebacker Abdul Carter having active and productive afternoons.

Next game: vs Central Michigan

Sep 17, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Cade Stover (8) makes the first down catch during the first quarter against the Toledo Rockets at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Won vs Toledo, 77-21

last week: 2

The Buckeyes went off at home in their matchup with Toledo, and they reminded anyone watching just how dangerous they still are. CJ Stroud padded the stat sheet with five touchdown passes and 367 yards in the blowout home win.

Next game: vs Wisconsin

Sep 17, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) rushes for a touchdown in the second half against the Connecticut Huskies at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

last game: Won vs UConn, 59-0

last week: 1

It is safe to say Michigan did nothing to deserve being moved out of the top spot in this week’s power rankings, even with the performance put on by Ohio State. Michigan has benefitted from a soft schedule to start the season but has done what should be expected in these situations. Michigan outscored their first three opponents 166-17. Will they keep things rolling like this in Big Ten play? We’re about to find out.

Next game: vs Maryland

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