The complexion of the Massive Ten is turning into clearer, however there’s nonetheless a logjam on the prime.
Michigan took on an overmatched UConn and went extraordinarily deep into its bench within the technique of a blowout, Ohio State‘s offense got here alive once more in opposition to Toledo, and Penn State went on the highway and blew out SEC opponent Auburn. Minnesota prevailed over Colorado, Wisconsin rebounded, Iowa discovered sufficient offense amid quite a few lightning delays (recreation continues to be TBD as of this writing), Maryland hanged on to beat SMU, Indiana gained in OT vs. Western Kentucky, and Rutgers survived at Temple. Nevertheless, the opposite groups weren’t so fortunate.
Northwestern misplaced to an in-state FCS group, Nebraska was blown out by Oklahoma, Purdue was upended by Syracuse, and Michigan State fell to unranked Washington in Seattle. Illinois was idle in Week 3.
All that stated, the place does every group rank in opposition to the others? Did PSU or OSU’s massive week see sufficient dominance to climb above final week’s No. 1, Michigan? The place did the opposite groups fall in line?
PREVIOUSLY: Massive Ten energy rankings after Week 2
Listed below are our newest Massive Ten energy rankings now that we’ve seen three weeks of school soccer within the convention.
14
Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-3)
Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports activities
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 14 | 8/14 | – |
Nicely, the Mickey Joseph period is off to an inauspicious begin, because of a blowout by the hands of an outdated rival.
Scott Frost was speculated to be the issue, however Nebraska misplaced in Norman final yr by only one rating in a aggressive recreation. Truly, that’s how Nebraska misplaced most video games. That streak is now over, because of a 49-14 drubbing by Oklahoma.
The push protection was notably poor, because the Huskers allowed 54 carries for 312 yards whereas QB Dillon Gabriel threw for 268 yards. Offensively, Nebraska did near nothing, as Brent Venables’ protection stood tall — considerably uncommon for a Massive 12 group, so far as what current historical past tells us.
Whereas Northwestern’s loss to an FCS faculty ought to have it drop to final place, given Week 0, Nebraska nonetheless owns the place. It’s troublesome to examine the Huskers successful one other recreation, now that the Massive Ten schedule is hitting. Fortunately, with the merciful bye week this upcoming week, they’ll have an opportunity to lick their wounds and determine methods to recalibrate.
However it’s clearly too late for a lot of something worthwhile in 2022.
13
Northwestern Wildcats (1-2)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 9 | 9/13 | -4 |
In the case of high quality of opponent loss, Northwestern is on the surface trying in.
The Wildcats proved to not even be the second-best group within the state of Illinois, shedding to the Southern Illinois Salukis, an FCS group that was winless coming in. The entire Week 0 magic in Eire clearly didn’t convert stateside, because of a bevy of turnovers.
Northwestern QB Ryan Hilinski threw two interceptions and in addition misplaced a fumble — one among two for the Wildcats. After an electrical begin to the season, RB Evan Hull misplaced the opposite fumble whereas nonetheless managing 124 yards on 25 carries. In the meantime, SIU did simply sufficient within the passing recreation with 261 yards, three touchdowns, and only one interception, to sink NU.
It’s an embarrassing loss, and the nonconference recreation in Week 4 in opposition to 1-2 Miami (OH) isn’t any gimme at this level.
12
Purdue Boilermakers (1-2)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 8 | 8/11 | -4 |
Purdue took its recreation on the highway and solely actually got here alive at an inopportune time — on the similar time that Syracuse was doing the identical.
Should you have a look at the field rating, you’d suppose that the Boilermakers dominated, with QB Aidan O’Connell passing for 424 yards, on 39-for-55 passing. He had three touchdowns, but additionally threw an interception. Operating again King Doerue was out, and Purdue solely managed 61 yards speeding in consequence.
Defensively, it regarded good on paper, with Syracuse managing simply 181 yards by means of the air and 125 yards on the bottom, but it surely was extra the timing of all of it that sunk the Boilermakers. The Orange hit on well timed passes, together with the game-winning landing.
Purdue goes to have a whole lot of work to do, particularly contemplating it already has one loss within the Massive Ten. Nevertheless, it hosts FAU earlier than touring to Minnesota. It might want to give you solutions subsequent week if it doesn’t wish to eradicate itself from West division competition.
11
Indiana Hoosiers (3-0)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 12 | 10/14 | +2 |
Sure, Indiana is 3-0, but it surely took additional time in opposition to Western Kentucky to maintain it that method.
QB Connor Bazelak accomplished 60% of his passes, going 33-for-55 for 364 yards, that are stable numbers, making up for a scarcity of a run recreation. Nevertheless, the Hoosier protection allowed 548 yards, trying dangerous on each the move and the run recreation.
Pay attention, Western Kentucky is a tough group given its high-powered offense, but when Indiana needs to show it belongs, at the very least, in the midst of the Massive Ten, it can not go to OT vs. a group just like the Hilltoppers.
10
Illinois Combating Illini (2-1)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 9 | 9/13 | -1 |
Illinois was idle and strikes down one spot to No. 10. Sure, we nonetheless have the Illini forward of Indiana — a group that beat them — however provided that the Hoosiers have been fortunate to flee Western Kentucky, we nonetheless really feel like that’s the suitable name.
9
Iowa Hawkeyes (TBD)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 11 | 6/11 | +2 |
Shockingly, Iowa discovered some semblance of offense. It solely took three weeks to get there. That doesn’t imply it was fairly.
The Hawkeyes scored 17 early factors — together with two touchdowns! — however needed to endure by means of an extended climate delay in opposition to Nevada, earlier than getting going once more, after which getting delayed, once more, as a result of lightning within the space.
We’re transferring Iowa up anticipating that the Hawkeyes will win this one, up 17-0. Nevertheless, with some lengthy climate delays, the sport gained’t probably be resolved quickly.
8
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 7 | 7/12 | -1 |
We’d like to charge the undefeated Knights greater, particularly contemplating we anticipated Rutgers to go 1-2 in nonconference within the preseason. Nevertheless, Temple has proved to be a nasty group by means of Week 2, and RU merely escaped its second highway recreation of the yr.
After a stable begin to the season by means of the air, Evan Simon struggled mightily on this one, whereas the run recreation was OK. The move protection was mediocre, whereas the run protection was stellar.
There’s no technique to inform, in the meanwhile, whether or not or not Rutgers can take down a Massive Ten East massive canine, and a win is a win, however this one didn’t precisely give the Scarlet Knights a vote of confidence.
Rutgers has two robust ones arising: internet hosting Iowa earlier than going to Ohio State.
7
Michigan State Spartans (2-1)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 5 | 4/7 | -2 |
After enjoying two cupcakes, Michigan State had the ABC prime-time recreation and didn’t look good on the nationwide stage.
The Spartans regarded abysmal, notably on protection. Former Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr. carved the perpetually out-of-place MSU secondary aside, hitting open receiver after open receiver. QB Payton Thorne at the very least battled, persevering with to throw well-placed balls, albeit his massive performs have been far too little, far too late.
Credit score MSU for battling for your entire recreation. The protection made two goal-line stands, and the Spartans turned what was trying like a rout in Seattle to a considerably respectable recreation. Any group taking over Michigan State goes to must battle for 60 full minutes, that’s for positive. But when MSU performed the way it did down the stretch for your entire recreation, we might be having a unique dialog.
6
Maryland Terrapins (3-0)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 6 | 6/10 | – |
Nicely, the Maryland protection nonetheless isn’t superb. Granted, SMU entered the sport with the No. 16 offense within the nation, however the Mustangs handed all around the Terps.
It wasn’t trying good in Faculty Park for an extended whereas, and Southern Methodist is an efficient group, coming into the sport undefeated. Nevertheless, finally Maryland asserted itself because of a balanced assault, with Roman Hemby actually impressing from the working again place.
However the protection has lengthy been the problem for the Terrapins, and SMU QB Tanner Mordecai had a day, eclipsing 300 yards. If the Mustangs can do this, what’s going to Michigan do subsequent week? Nonetheless, credit score for maintaining SMU out of the top zone when it had an opportunity to tie the sport, late.
We’re nonetheless not satisfied that Maryland has turned the nook. Nevertheless, with the offense at full-strength, it’ll probably nonetheless shock somebody. Key phrase: shock — not assert itself in opposition to a giant canine.
5
Wisconsin Badgers (2-1)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 3 | 3/10 | +5 |
That’s extra prefer it, Wisconsin.
The Badgers rebounded from a stunning dwelling loss in opposition to Washington State, although it did so in opposition to a now 0-4 New Mexico State group. Nonetheless, it was a powerful outing, with Wisconsin doing what it wanted to do, 66-7. Graham Mertz was environment friendly, going 12-for-15 for 251 yards, with three touchdowns, however one interception. The Badgers racked up 260 yards on the bottom whereas permitting simply 242 yards of offense.
Wisconsin nonetheless has some methods to go and Saturday night time, it is going to tackle the vaunted Ohio State Buckeyes. Decelerate OSU and preserve the offense going, it has an opportunity to make proper of its early wrongs.
4
Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-0)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 4 | 4/7 | – |
Minnesota could also be rated too low, right here.
The Gopher protection allowed Colorado simply 226 complete yards of offense and recovered a fumble whereas racking up 334 yards on the bottom. QB Tanner Morgan didn’t have an overwhelmingly nice recreation, however he didn’t must, contemplating the run recreation. He went 11-for-16 for 157 yards, and threw three touchdowns and an interception.
Thus far, Minnesota has confronted three groups, together with a Energy 5 group this week, and dominated in all three. It’s the class of the Massive Ten West, and seem like it ought to be that division’s inclusion into the Massive Ten championship recreation in December.
Up subsequent, it is going to journey to East Lansing to tackle Michigan State. Win that, and it’s extra proof that the Gophers are for actual.
3
Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 3 | 3/6 | – |
Simply essentially the most spectacular win in-conference, Penn State went all the way down to Jordan Hare Stadium and completed its two-game sweep of the Auburn Tigers.
Probably the most eye-opening side is that freshman working again Nick Singleton, the previous five-star, seems to be for actual, speeding 10 instances for 124 yards and two touchdowns. The Nittany Lions, who’ve been inept in working the soccer lately, managed 245 yards on the bottom.
The troubling factor on this one is the move protection, which allowed two Auburn quarterbacks to move for 296 yards. PSU did handle to choose one ball off. The push protection was stable, permitting simply 119 yards and no touchdowns, and the Nittany Lions additionally have been the beneficiaries of two fumble recoveries.
Auburn will not be good, and Bryan Harsin’s days look to be numbered. Nevertheless, the Tigers have been 2-0 heading into this recreation, and Penn State dominated an SEC group. The one motive PSU isn’t rated greater is as a result of we’re nonetheless undecided that this can be a constant deal in Blissful Valley. With Central Michigan, Northwestern, and a bye week the following three weeks, Penn State has just a little time earlier than it faces off in opposition to Michigan in Ann Arbor to determine methods to remedy any ills it may need.
2
Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 2 | 1/2 | – |
Ohio State lastly regarded like Ohio State once more, primarily burying Toledo by halftime. The offense was on hearth, with C.J. Stroud throwing for practically 300 yards within the first half, alone. The run recreation impressed, regardless of TreVeyon Henderson leaving the sport early with harm. The Buckeyes scored 77 factors and let up 21 — exceedingly spectacular, however not excellent.
The protection nonetheless has questions in Jim Knowles’ third recreation as defensive coordinator, nonetheless. Whereas the Buckeyes dealt with the Rockets general, some protection busts, which we’ve seen now in all three video games so far, increase questions on OSU’s capacity to be full. Nevertheless, it won’t be challenged in that regard any time quickly, with Maryland and Michigan State struggling to get a lot offense going of late, and the one groups that would probably problem look to be Penn State (Week 9) and Michigan (Week 13).
Nonetheless, this was classic Ohio State, although it’s in opposition to a MAC group. Regardless, it’s a step in the suitable course and proof that OSU will probably be among the many two groups to beat within the Massive Ten.
1
Michigan Wolverines (3-0)
| Pvs Rnk | Hello/Lo | Chg |
| 1 | 1/2 | – |
Michigan performed one other overmatched opponent, and whereas that doesn’t inform us a lot about the place the Wolverines stand, what does is how the maize and blue dismantled the UConn Huskies, trying spectacular in each method.
The Wolverines might have performed three of the worst groups within the FBS, however the beginning protection has but to surrender a single level, whereas the offense has moved the ball with ease in all three video games. To date, Michigan appears like an entire group, and it’s now much more explosive with J.J. McCarthy main the cost. McCarthy has now gone 30-for-34 in 2022 for 473 yards passing and 4 touchdowns general. He’s finishing 88.2% of his passes, and that quantity ought to really be greater.
Whereas the rating won’t be as spectacular as Ohio State’s outing, bear in mind: Michigan managed to get 101 gamers into this one, together with seven quarterbacks — all of whom accomplished a move (McCarthy, after all, accomplished a couple of).
We’ll get a significantly better thought of what the Wolverines are defensively once they tackle Maryland in Week 4, and offensively when Michigan faces Iowa in Iowa Metropolis in Week 5.