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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; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball in the fourth quarter as Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaac Rochell (90) pursues in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. MSU won 36-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball in the fourth quarter as Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaac Rochell (90) pursues in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. MSU won 36-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Michigan State (2-0, 0-0)

There are likely going to be some Michigan State fans who get angry at me for having them ranked so low in the Big Ten power rankings coming off a win over Notre Dame. Here’s the thing, it’s not even like that was Notre Dame’s first loss of the year.

The Texas Longhorns (who themselves were upset last weekend) already showed people the Golden Domers were yet again, overrated. When you look at it that way, the only other game you can judge the Spartans on is a less than impressive 28-13 win over FCS team Furman.

In all actuality, fans of teams like Maryland and Wisconsin have a far bigger beef about being ranked below Michigan State. The only reason the Spartans are in the upper quarter of the Big Ten power rankings right now, is because they are expected to be pretty darn good.

We also won’t have to wait too long to see whether they really deserve that #8 national ranking. Thanks to an odd schedule where the Spartans won’t play their third non-conference game until October 8, they will open the Big Ten in their third contest of the year.

It’s a safe bet Mark Dantonio wouldn’t have minded having one more tuneup, considering the Spartans will be taking on Wisconsin in their Big Ten opener this weekend. At least questions about both teams will likely be answered by the end of the day.

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