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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; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Temple 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Sep 17, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Temple Owls at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Temple 34-27. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /

10. Penn State (2-1, 0-0)

Penn State ranks this low in the inaugural HuskerCorner Big Ten power rankings thanks in large part to what has been a pretty porous defense. The Nittany Lions started the year with a 33-13 win over Kent State.

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They then went out and allowed 42 points and over 400 yards of total offense in a loss to in-state rival Pitt. The Nittany Lions then went out and surrendered 27 points and over 330 total yards of offense to Temple.

How bad has Penn State’s scoring defense been so far? It’s currently tied for 80th in the country. Only Illinois, Purdue and Rutgers have allowed more points per game in the entire Big Ten. That wouldn’t be as concerning if the team’s next game wasn’t against a Michigan offense that is firing on all cylinders.

Penn State has a relatively easy schedule in Big Ten conference play, outside of the big three of Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State. A 5-3 conference record certainly isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but for now, Penn State gets to be just one rung ahead of the also rans in the conference when it comes to the power rankings.

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