After Week 3 in the Big Ten, Indiana football lands itself in the top eight of the Big Ten power rankings and is one of seven teams in the conference that are still undefeated. The Big Ten East holds a record of 20-1 (.952) and the Big Ten West is 12-10 (.545) after last weekend.
Waiting until after Week 3 to start power rankings gives everyone a better idea of how these teams are playing and the consistency of each team. As of right now, many Big Ten teams are struggling to find consistent offense, but there are a couple teams that are going to be competing for an opportunity to play in the College Football Playoff.
Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 3
Last game: 49-14 loss vs. #6 Oklahoma
Next game: Oct. 1 vs. Indiana
Could things get any worse for the Nebraska football program? The Cornhuskers scored on their opening drive against the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners, then did not score again until less than four minutes remaining in the game, where they were already trailing 49-7. In his first game as interim head coach, Mickey Joseph did not fare well and did not turn any tides for the outlook on the season.
With their only win of the season coming against North Dakota, Nebraska football has this weekend to reset things and will come into Week 5 against an Indiana football program that will either still be undefeated or coming off of their first loss of the season to Cincinnati. Is there any chance the Huskers can get to a bowl game this season?
Last game: 31-24 loss vs. Southern Illinois
Next game: Sept. 24 vs. Miami (OH)
You’re telling me that Northwestern lost to the Southern Illinois Salukis, who had losses to Incarnate Ward and Southeastern Missouri State in the two prior weeks? The only highlight for the Wildcats in this game was the play of Evan Hull, who rushed for 124 yards on 25 attempts and one touchdown in this game, which gave Northwestern a chance to hang with SIUC.
Wildcat fans, buckle up for the rest of this season. It’s hard to say after this weekend’s game against Miami (OH), when, or if, Northwestern wins another game this season heading into a tough conference schedule.
Last game: 32-29 loss @ Syracuse
Next game: Sept. 24 vs. Florida Atlantic
It brings me great joy ranking Purdue in the bottom three of the Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 3, especially coming off a heartbreaking last-second loss to undefeated Syracuse in New York. Aidan O’Connell and the Purdue offense performed at a high level against the Orange, with O’Connell throwing for 424 yards and three touchdowns, but the defense didn’t step up when they needed them most.
With the only win of the season coming against Indiana State, the Boilermakers will likely get a win against Florida Atlantic this weekend then face undefeated Minnesota and Maryland in back-to-back weeks. If Purdue football can pull out a win against one of those schools, they’ll be back on track to get to a bowl game this season.
Last game: 27-0 win vs. Nevada
Next game: Sept. 24 @ Rutgers
What is going on with Spencer Petras and the Iowa football team? The Hawkeyes finally scored more than one touchdown in a single game for the first time this season, after not recording a touchdown in a win against South Dakota State, then only getting the one touchdown in a loss to Iowa State. Petras only threw for 175 yards and one touchdown in the win against Nevada, and the highlight of the offense was Kaleb Johnson who exploded with 107 rushing yards on just seven attempts and two touchdown runs.
Though Iowa is 2-1 to start the season, the Hawkeyes face a tough Rutgers team this upcoming weekend then is looking down the road for matchups against #4 Michigan, Illinois on the road, and #3 Ohio State in Columbus the next three weeks. Good luck coming out with a win or two in the next four weeks.