Last weekend in the Big Ten saw a number of Big Ten teams taking on overmatched opponents, many coming from the FCS ranks. Naturally, these games served as the final tune-up opportunity before jumping into Big Ten play in Week 4. There were a couple of Big Ten matchups, however, and there were some growing positive signs and concerns about a couple. of teams coming out of them.
Here are my Big Ten power rankings following the results of Week 3.
18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0-3, 0-1 B1G)
- Week 3 result: Lost to USC, 42-35
Rutgers showed some good fight at home against USC but just could not avoid the costly mistakes to manage a massive upset in Big Ten play. Rutgers should finally pick up a win in Week 4 with an FCS opponent on deck.
- Up next: vs. Howard
17. Purdue Boilermakers (1-2, 0-1 B1G)
- Week 3 result: Lost to UCLA, 52-38
Purdue's offense has turned into one of the more entertaining offenses the Big Ten may have,
but the defense has a lot of catching up to do. Tough matchup this week against Notre Dame.
- Up next: vs. Notre Dame
16. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Akron, 41-7
Minnesota picked up a good rebound win after a disaster at home against Mississippi State. That loss is still hard to forget about as the Gophers prepare for a Big Ten opener on the road.
- Up next: at Washington
15. Wisconsin Badgers (2-1)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Eastern Michigan, 54-10
Wisconsin has looked good in its non-conference matchups at home. Can they keep it going as they go back on the road against a ranked opponent this week in Happy Valley?
- Up next: at Penn State
14. Northwestern Wildcats (2-0)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Colorado, 41-7
Northwestern had one of the more surprising results of the weekend in my eye, in a positive way! Northwestern whipped Colorado after having a bye week in Week 2. The Wildcats are looking feisty, but can they hang with Indiana this week?
- Up next: at Indiana
13. Michigan State Spartans (2-1)
- Week 3 result: Lost to Notre Dame, 27-10
Michigan State was hit with a bit of a dose of reality this past weekend with a road loss against one of the best teams in the country, Notre Dame. The Spartans dug a hole early but showed some good fight in the second quarter, but they were shut out in the second half of their first loss of the year.
- Up next: vs. Nebraska
12. Michigan Wolverines (3-0)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. UTEP, 52-17
Michigan got off to another slow start in a home game against UTEP, but the Wolverines took over in the third quarter with a 28-0 burst to take a comfortable lead into the fourth quarter. It is still a bit difficult figuring out exactly how good Michigan is after its first three games of the year.
- Up next: vs. Iowa
11. Maryland (2-1)
- Week 3 result: Lost to Virginia Tech, 35-26
Maryland took its first loss of the season to James Franklin and his Virginia Tech Hokies, led by quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. This was somewhat expected, but it would have been good to see Maryland be a little more competitive more consistently throughout the game.
- Up next: vs. UCLA
10. Illinois Fighting Illini (2-1)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Southern Illinois
The Illini had a good rebound win to recover from a loss to Duke in Week 2. Collin Dixon is emerging as one of the Big Ten's top receivers. Let's see what Illinois can do in Big Ten play.
- Up next: at Ohio State
9. Washington Huskies (3-0)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Eastern Washington
Washington has looked a little vulnerable early on in the season, but the Huskies took care of their FCS opponent in Week 3 fairly easily. Washington should get off to a good start in Big Ten play this weekend at home against the Gophers, but a couple of big games loom after that against top 25 competition.
- Up next: vs. Minnesota
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. North Dakota, 34-7
Nebraska did exactly what was expected of it in non-conference play by handling its business against three non-power conference opponents. Jamal Rule continues to impress with the ground attack. This week sees the Huskers go on the road for the first time this season.
- Up next: at Michigan State
7. UCLA Bruins (3-0, 1-0 B1G)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Purdue, 52-38
The UCLA offense was clicking in Week 2 in its Big Ten opener against Purdue. If you stayed up late to watch it, you saw the Bruins jump out of the gates with 21 points in the first quarter and keep taking advantage of a rough Purdue defense all night long. There is a confidence brewing with the Bruins right now, and it is fun to see. Can they keep it going in a potentially sneaky fun game this weekend at Maryland?
- Up next: at Maryland
6. Iowa Hawkeyes (3-0)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Northern Iowa, 55-0
Iowa's running game dominated despite the absence of Kamari Moulton, but that was totally expected against its FCS opponent and final tune-up before Big Ten play. Iowa has looked good early on but now hits the road for a Big Ten opener against Michigan. Can the Hawkeyes come out of Ann Arbor with a win this week?
- Up next: at Michigan
5. Oregon Ducks (2-1)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Portland State, 84-0
Talk about a get-right game! Oregon took out some frustration from an early season struggle on poor Portland State to get the weekend started. The Ducks scored a program-record 12 touchdowns for the most points scored by the Ducks in modern history. This result was seen from a mile away though, given the circumstances and matchup. Regardless, Oregon needed that. Oregon has. abig one this week.
- Up next: at USC
4. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Buffalo, 55-13
Penn State didn't have to worry about a slow start in Week 3. The running game came alive against Buffalo in Penn State's final non-conference tune-up before entering Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions defense continues to impress, but the difficulty turns up beginning this week with the Big Ten opener against Wisconsin.
- Up next: vs. Wisconsin
3. USC Trojans (4-0, 1-0 B1G)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Rutgers, 42-35
There are many good things to say about the USC offense, which scored 40+ points on the road, but it is fair to question the strength of the Trojans' defense. USC was in a battle on the road against a dreadful Rutgers team last weekend, which raises some concerns about USC moving forward. The defense must play better this weekend against Oregon.
- Up next: at Rutgers
2. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-1)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Kent State, 59-3
Ohio State took advantage of its rebound opportunity at home against Kent State. Jeremiah Smith became the school's all-time leading receiver with two-thirds of the season still to be played. Not much else needs to be said about this week.
- Up next: vs. Illinois
1. Indiana Hoosiers (3-0)
- Week 3 result: Won vs. Western Kentucky, 38-0
There was never a doubt about Indiana against Western Kentucky. The Hoosiers did get off to a bit of a disjointed start against the Hilltoppers. But Curt Cignetti got everyone. to calm down and get on track, and Indiana did what needed to be done for another shutout victory. Now let's see Indiana in Big Ten play.
- Up next: vs. Northwestern
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten football power rankings after Week 3
