Husker Corner
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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; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Quanzell Lambert (22) reacts after stopping New Mexico during second half at High Points Solutions Stadium. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeated the New Mexico 37-28.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Quanzell Lambert (22) reacts after stopping New Mexico during second half at High Points Solutions Stadium. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeated the New Mexico 37-28.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Rutgers (2-1, 0-0)

Rutgers should actually be pretty happy they’re this high in the inaugural power rankings, considering they started the season with a 48-13 loss. Of course, that loss was to nationally ranked Washington Huskies.

The team followed up that showing with a very sluggish start against Howard that saw the team go into the half tied at 14 all. Nebraska can talk all about struggling to put weaker opponents away and Iowa can speak about losing to those teams.

In the Big Ten, slow starts, except for a very select few has been the name of the game. Rutgers outscored Howard 38-0 in the second half. The Scarlet Knights are transitioning from being a team that relied on the pass to score, to being one that runs the ball much more.

Against Howard, that was on display as Rutgers ran the ball 53 times for 375 yards (7.1 yard average) and three TDs. Against New Mexico, the team found itself down 21-7 before it rallied to win 37-38.

It’s the running game that has kept Rutgers out of the Big Ten power rankings basement. It’s a bad passing game that is keeping it relatively low.

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