College Football Big Ten power rankings entering Week 4
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As it currently stands, the Big Ten has a Big Two. Ohio State and Indiana feel like they’re on a different tier from everyone else. The story of the college football season is going to be whether anyone else from the league can rise up and beat them on any given Saturday. Doesn’t seem likely right now.
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10. Wisconsin
Colton Joseph is the best Badgers QB since Russell Wilson. That was 15 years ago. Against Eastern Michigan, he racked up 408 total yards and 4 total TDs. Expect this team to finish with 7 or 8 wins.
9. Washington
A 48-16 victory over Eastern Washington doesn’t erase some of the problems that Washington has exhibited in the first three weeks of the season. We’ll find out a lot more about this team as they start conference play this week.
8. Iowa
No, it was not a school record, but Iowa did put up 55 points against Northern Iowa. Hank Brown didn’t throw a single incompletion. Now it’s time to start conference play and see if this Iowa is any different from the old Iowa.
7. UCLA
In a game that kicked off entirely too late, the Bruins offense looked like a machine in a 52-38 victory over Purdue. Wayne Knight added another 177 yards and 2 TDs to his incredible early-season numbers. Bob Chesney is just like DJ Khaled; all he does is win.
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6. Penn State
The Nittany Lions rocked Buffalo 55-13 to conclude their non-conference schedule. After walloping Marshall, Temple, and Buffalo, we simply have no way of knowing if this team is any good. With Wisconsin coming to town in Week 4, that will teach us a little bit.
5. Oregon
An 84-0 thrashing of Portland State does not do anything to quell the concerns that this Ducks team has. It probably was a good anger release, however. Oregon has the game of the week in Week 4, with a road trip to the Coliseum on tap to play USC.
4. Michigan
A 52-17 victory over UTEP (which was close for a half) doesn’t really teach us a whole lot. But like it or not, the Wolverines end non-conference play 3-0. As bad as the offense has been, it’s natural to wonder just how many points they can muster against Iowa in Week 4.
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3. USC
A win is a win. It was closer than it was supposed to be, but the Trojans flew across the country and defeated Rutgers 42-35. These cross-country trips have been disastrous for the Trojans, so coming away with a win is just what the doctor ordered.
2. Indiana
How come more people in the media don’t criticize Curt Cignetti for his Charmin ultra-soft non-conference schedules? This year was North Texas, Howard, and Western Kentucky. We know nothing about this team. But I guess Cignetti knows how to play the game. In the two years of the 12-team CFP, aggressive non-conference scheduling has not been rewarded, and avoiding losses by all means necessary has been.
1. Ohio State
The Buckeyes took out all of their anger from losing to Texas on Kent State in a 59-3 demolition. And interestingly enough, after two weeks where he had a 50% target rate, Jeremiah Smith did not score a touchdown. If this team wants to take the next step, they have to continue to find other offensive weapons to utilize.
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