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Big Ten Power Rankings Heading Into Week 4

By Oliver Vandervoort

Sep 17, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) runs the ball past Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (31) in the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) runs the ball past Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (31) in the fourth quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; North Dakota State Bison running back Chase Morlock (25) celebrates with tight end Jeff Illies (86) and center Austin Kuhnert (75) after scoring a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. North Dakota State won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; North Dakota State Bison running back Chase Morlock (25) celebrates with tight end Jeff Illies (86) and center Austin Kuhnert (75) after scoring a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. North Dakota State won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Iowa (2-1, 0-0)

We start the top tier of the Big Ten power rankings with an Iowa team that let down not only its fans, but the conference as a whole. They did this by losing to FCS team North Dakota State.

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Iowa vs. Penn State Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4
Iowa vs. Penn State Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 4 /

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    • While NDSU is a powerhouse in their division, it’s still a rung below the Big Ten. Iowa, coming off an undefeated regular season a year ago, is now 3-3 in it’s last six games. Iowa has never been an offensive juggernaut.

    The Hawkeyes forged such a great 2015 thanks to sitting back and waiting for the other team to make a mistake. The team couldn’t do that against SDSU, considering All-Conference candidate quarterback C.J. Beatherd completed just 11 of 22 yards for 152 yards.

    Yes, Beatherd threw three touchdowns, but he also threw an interception. 50 percent passing isn’t going to get it done. Especially when Iowa’s running game managed just 34 total yards. By contrast, NDSU ran for 239 yards and may have given the rest of the Big Ten a blueprint on how to beat the Hawkeyes.

    If Iowa’s defense can’t stop the run, it might be a long season. Rutgers has become a much more run-centric offense this year. The two teams face off this Saturday in both teams’ conference opener. We’ll know more about whether Iowa belongs this high in the Big Ten power rankings after that game.

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