Tony Liebert’s Week 3 Big Ten power rankings: Northwestern rises, Maryland falls in quiet week

Tony Liebert’s Week 3 Big Ten power rankings: Northwestern rises, Maryland falls in quiet week

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Tony Liebert’s Week 3 Big Ten power rankings: Northwestern rises, Maryland falls in quiet week

The last week of non-conference play, with most matchups, was relatively quiet in the Big Ten. Northwestern made a 41-7 statement against Colorado, USC took everything Rutgers had, and Maryland lost another big game. Here’s where things stand ahead of eight conference games in Week 4.

Post-Week 3 Big Ten power rankings

  • 1. Ohio State (unchanged)
  • 2. Indiana (unchanged)

Ohio State and Indiana remain in a tier of their own. The Buckeyes beat Kent State by 56 points, and the Hoosiers beat Western Kentucky by 38. Both elite squads will now look ahead to their Big Ten openers in Week 4.

Sep 19, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti looks on against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

  • 3. USC (unchanged)
  • 4. Oregon (unchanged)
  • 5. Iowa (unchanged)
  • 6. Michigan (unchanged)
  • 7. Penn State (unchanged)

Michigan State, Purdue, Rutgers and Maryland were the only Big Ten teams that lost in Week 3, so it would be silly to make any big changes to a rankings list. USC beat Rutgers by only seven points, but it was a prime lookahead spot before this week’s game against Oregon in the Coliseum. The winner of that game will look like a potential contender, and the loser will have an intimidating path to the College Football Playoff.

Sep 19, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Iowa and Michigan both took care of business as big underdogs in Week 3, and they’ll now meet in Ann Arbor to open Big Ten play. We should learn a lot about both of those teams as the season continues to heat up.

  • 8. UCLA (unchanged)
  • 9. Washington (unchanged)
  • 10. Minnesota (up one spot)
  • 11. Nebraska (up one spot)
  • 12. Northwestern (up three spots)
  • 13. Maryland (down three spots)
  • 14. Illinois (down one spot)

Northwestern’s dominant 41-7 win over Colorado at home bumps them up three spots and a whole tier in my rankings. They look like a team that can make a run at a bowl game. Maryland lost another big game at home to Virginia Tech, but they still look dangerous with Malik Washington.

Sep 19, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Joseph Himon II (6) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Alex Honig (86) during the second half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

We’ll learn a lot more about Minnesota and Washington in their Big Ten opener in Week 4. Nebraska at Michigan State is another sneaky game to look out for on this week’s slate.

  • 15. Wisconsin (down one spot)
  • 16. Michigan State (unchanged)
  • 17. Purdue (unchanged)
  • 18. Rutgers (unchanged)

Notre Dame running back Nolan James Jr., center, gets wrapped up with the ball during a NCAA football game against Michigan State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in South Bend.

Michigan State, Rutgers and Purdue all had moments in their losses in Week 3, but they need to start rattling off some wins in order to climb out of the Big Ten’s bottom tier.

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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Sep 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Sports News and Rumors section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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