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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; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Trae Williams (29) blocks a pass intended for Duke Blue Devils wide receiver T.J. Rahming (3) during the second half at Ryan Field. Wildcats won 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Trae Williams (29) blocks a pass intended for Duke Blue Devils wide receiver T.J. Rahming (3) during the second half at Ryan Field. Wildcats won 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Northwestern (1-2, 0-0)

Northwestern is the best example of a team that would have been ranked much higher if this power ranking started at the beginning of the season. The wildcats were expected to be a real contender for the Big Ten West.

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    • While there’s still a chance they could win the division, because the race for that title is going to be wide open, Northwestern got off to a disastrous start to the year. The Wildcats opened the year by blowing a late lead to Western Michigan (now 2-0 against the Big Ten this year) and follow that up with a loss to FCS level Illinois State.

    Not only did the Wildcats lose to an FCS school, but they only mustered one touchdown and lost 9-7. They also trailed most of the game. Against Duke, in their third game of the year, they finally got off the snide, but there’s still plenty to worry about when it comes to this team’s offense.

    Neither the team’s passing offense, nor it’s rushing offense is remotely impressive. Quarterback Clayton Thorson is completing less than 50 percent of his passes so far this year and is 12th in the conference in quarterback ratings, ahead of Purdue’s Blough and Rutgers’ Chris Laviano.

    The running game isn’t stellar either. Justin Jackson has been okay, running for 260 yards and three touchdowns so far but he’s still only averaging 4.1 yards per carry. The Wildcats as a whole, are averaging just 2.8 yards per carry and the rest of the team has run for just 35 yards outside of Jackson.

    Northwestern has to open Big Ten play against a team that has one of the best offenses in the country in Nebraska. A blowout might be on the horizon as long as the Huskers can avoid a let down.

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