As the college football season heads into Week 4, teams that are going to make a run are starting to emerge, while teams that were primed to make a run are starting to show they aren't all that. In the Big Ten, it is still the big three, well, four now, at the top: Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, and Michigan always seem to find their way there.
However, all it takes is one game to make the rest of the conference fear one team. For the Nebraska Cornhuskers, that game could be their Week 4 matchup against the Wolverines. However, before we can look ahead to Week 4, let's see how everyone is faring in the Big Ten altogether.
Here are the Week 3 Big Ten power rankings.
18. UCLA Bruins (0-3)
This comes as an absolute shock to no one as the Bruins have started the season 0-3 and now no longer have a head coach. UCLA decided to part ways with DeShaun Foster and even with Nico Iamaleava, things aren't looking good for the Bruins, and this just might be their permanent spot for the season.
17. Northwestern Wildcats (1-2)
Another rough start to the season for the Wildcats has them ranked at No. 17. However, they did look better against the Oregon Ducks than many thought they would, so maybe they have a little fight in them for games in the future.
16. Purdue Boilermakers (1-2)
The beginning of the Barry Odom era has not been exactly what the Boilermakers wanted, but they are not at the bottom of the rankings, somewhere they have been a lot in the past, so that is progress...right?
15. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1)
Losing to Cal is simply embarrassing, as that team has not been good for a while. Minnesota has looked okay against teams they should be demolishing, and as they get ready to head into Big Ten play, they don't look like they are going to fare well at all.
14. Maryland Terrapins (3-0)
Don't let the undefeated 3-0 record mislead you; Maryland has played absolute nobodies in their first three games, and with Big Ten play on the horizon, there just isn't a feeling that they are going to have a lot of success. A win against Wisconsin could at least be a step in the right direction.
13. Wisconsin Badgers (2-1)
No one thought Wisconsin was going to win that game against Alabama. Even with that, there is not a lot of optimism in the Badgers right now, and without their starting quarterback, there is no guarantee they even beat Maryland this weekend.
12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0)
Like Maryland, don't let the undefeated record fool you, Rutgers has also played quite a few cupcake teams, but what puts them above Maryland is that they showed a little more dominance over those cupcakes teams. Now. big Ten play just awaits the Scarlet Knights.
11. Michigan State Spartans (3-0)
Another undefeated record that feels more for show than anything, but the Spartans really didn't look great against teams they should have been able to sit their starters against in the second half. They did win though so they are here int he power rankings.
10. Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1)
After a total lackluster performance against Iowa State in Week 2, Iowa showed that they do have a presence on that side of the ball against UMass. The Hawkeyes showed maybe they can find ways to win games on offense, but even that loss against Iowa State is not looking as quality as they want to believe it is.
9. Washington Huskies (2-0)
Washington was on a bye week in Week 3.
8. USC Trojans (3-0)
USC did beat Purdue 33-17 this past week, but with how the Boilermakers look, it should have definitely been more of a beatdown. USC is definitely looking better than last season, but they still have to prove themselves against some of the bigger names in the conference, putting them in the middle of the pack for now.
7. Michigan Wolverines (2-1)
Obviously, the Michigan Wolverines are a top team in the Big Ten, but that loss to Oklahoma just doesn't quite sit right. They did get back on track against Central Michigan, but a matchup against Nebraska this upcoming week will speak volumes for both teams.
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0)
Nebraska is looking to be firing on all cylinders right now, and with a win over Michigan this weekend, it could certainly vault them even higher. However, Nebraska's starters have sat out a lot in the last two games due to leads, so hopefully they are ready for a full game of physical football against a tough defense.
5. Indiana Hoosiers (3-0)
It is time to put up or shut up for Curt Cignetti and his team, as the easy games are over and done with. Now the Hoosiers will face a tough team in the Big Ten as they face Illinois for its conference opener. Both teams have to prove that they are true contenders, but which one will come out on top?
4. Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0)
Just like Indiana, it is time for Illinois to put up or shut up. They could have looked better in non-conference play, but now is when it all starts to really matter, and to be a true contender, they will have to win this conference opener against the Hoosiers.
3. Oregon Ducks (3-0)
Just like last season, the Ducks have started undefeated and now have a win in the Big Ten over Northwestern. However, Oregon didn't cover the spread against the Wildcats, and that left many with an interesting feeling about this team. They get their favorite little brother this week in a showdown with Oregon State.
2. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)
Penn State has been the team to watch in the Big Ten this season, with many thinking this might be the year they bring down the mighty Buckeyes. With a bye week on the docket, they will have time to rest before Big Ten play begins.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0)
The No. 1 team in the country deserves the No. 1 spot in its conference power rankings. Plain and simple, Ohio State looks unstoppable right now, and a bye week to rest up before conference play is exactly what the doctor ordered.