The top teams in the Big Ten held serve in Week 3, while USC football fell a few spots in the rankings. The Trojans did not prove they are a different team this season, allowing Rutgers to hang with them. Penn State and Wisconsin, on the other hand, both look like they have returned to their old form. USC has a lot of work to do going into the Oregon game.
Here are my Big Ten football rankings after Week 3:
1. Indiana Hoosiers (3-0)
The Hoosiers put together another complete performance and are now 3-0. Curt Cignetti has this team looking good, and until another team knocks them off, they should still be viewed as the best team in the Big Ten.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1)
The Buckeyes got their bounce-back victory, and Jeremiah Smith made history. The Buckeyes, even after a devastating loss, should
still be viewed as one of the best teams in the country.
3. Oregon Ducks (2-1)
The Oregon Ducks made a statement this week, and they tried to do everything in their power to make up for last week's loss. They are heading into their game against USC with great momentum. USC will have their hands full against the Ducks this upcoming week.
4. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)
Penn State has looked like a top contender in the Big Ten to start the season, and they are poised to remain at the top of the standings when this season is all over.
5. USC Trojans (4-0)
The USC Trojans have the best record in the conference, but this team is far from being the best team in the conference. Lincoln Riley and USC still have a lot to prove this season before they can be taken seriously.
6. UCLA Bruins (3-0)
The Bruins continue to look night and day better than the team that disappointed last year. Bob Chesney has this squad playing at a high level, and they will be exciting to watch play against top teams in the Big Ten. They will not be a layup game for USC.
7. Michigan Wolverines (3-0)
Michigan has a high ceiling with Kyle Whittingham and some serious talent on their roster. However, which Bryce Underwood they get will be a question every game.
8. Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0)
The Hawkeyes' defense is stifling, and their run game is unstoppable. Just another year of the same type of team for Iowa.
9. Washington Huskies (3-0)
The Huskies' offense finally met the high standard they set last year. If Demond Williams can consistently play like he did this week, they have a very high ceiling even in a tough Big Ten.
10. Wisconsin Badgers (2-1)
Minus their loss against Notre Dame, it is hard not to take this Badgers team seriously. The defense is elite, and their offense is finally coming around. USC could be in big trouble facing them on the road.
11. Illinois Fighting Illini (2-1)
The Fighting Illini had a good week, and this team can take care of business against teams that are lesser than them. The Big Ten, however, will have its way with them very soon. Ohio State should handily beat them next week.
12. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1)
The Minnesota Gophers got a huge bounce-back win, but their upcoming schedule could be what turns this season into a disappointing one.
13. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0)
No matter how many times I doubt Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers, he proves me wrong and pulls off a commanding victory. Still, I am not convinced about this team, nor am I expecting them to hold their own in the Big Ten.
14. Northwestern Wildcats (2-0)
Northwestern again this season looks like a frisky team that can play with or maybe even upset a top Big Ten team this season.
15. Maryland Terrapins (2-1)
Maryland has an elite quarterback who is a star, yet it feels like they will always come up short against better football teams with Mike Locksley as their head coach.
16. Michigan State Spartans (2-1)
Michigan State's defense and Pat Fitzgerald helped the Spartans put up a good fight against Notre Dame. The Spartans' offense is not good enough to compete against the best teams in the Big Ten or the country.
17. Purdue Boilermakers (1-2)
Purdue's offense showed it can hang with some great offenses; however, this defense will keep the Boilermakers at the bottom of the Big Ten again.
18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0-3)
Only against USC does Rutgers look like a competent football team. Rutgers kept it close against USC, but they still looked like the worst team in the Big Ten for many parts of the game.
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This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Big Ten football power rankings after Week 3 - USC craters at Rutgers
