Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 4

The third week of games in the Big Ten offered a lot of disappointment at the top and a lot of horrible cupcake beatings everywhere else.

Michigan, Wisconsin, and Purdue slaughtered their opponents, while Michigan State, Northwestern, and Ohio State all lost in big games that would have helped the conference immensely. Meanwhile, Iowa and Penn State are fortunate to have slid out of their respective games with wins.

One more week of play until the Big Ten season starts.

Think I overrate the importance of losing to Notre Dame?  Tell me in the comments.  Think I underrate how good Penn State's defense really is?  Tell me in the comments.  Think I'm crazy for bumping Michigan above Michigan State?  Tell me in the comments.  Think that the quarterback situations at Penn State and Ohio State are anything less than a dumpster fire?  Go read some stats against real teams, then talk to me.

12. Indiana 1-2 (12)

Last Week: Beat South Carolina State (1-2) 38 - 21

Indiana jumps into the win column in Week 3 with a victory over SCSU.

The Hoosiers out gained SCSU by nearly 200 yards (557 to 377) with a balanced offensive output. Edward Wright-Baker threw for 273 yards (10.1 YPA) and two touchdowns on 77 percent passing while the backfield combined for 257 yards (4.4 YPC) led by D'Angelo Roberts 102 yards and one touchdown.

Most importantly, the Hoosiers finally found a way to put together the kind of offensive performance that new coach Kevin Wilson is looking for by dominating in first downs (29 to 19) third-down percentage (65 percent to 29 percent). Indiana has a good chance to get back to .500 with a win this week against a hapless North Texas team.  The Hoosiers will need to consistently put together the kind of offensive numbers from last Saturday if the team is going to steal a few wins in the Big Ten season.  The Hoosier defense continues to get gashed, and despite the strong day in most categories, Indiana was penalized 11 times for 144 yards.

Next Week:  At North Texas (0-3); 7:00pm, ESPN3

11. Purdue 2-1 (11)

Last Week: Beat South East Missouri State (0-2) 59 - 0

The Boilermakers score a shutout against a team that deserves to be shut out, in a lopsided effort

Purdue's offense put up 627 yards to SEMO's 153, leading to only one logical conclusion:  SEMO's defense is awful.  Either that or Purdue is finally healthy enough to compete.  Caleb TerBush again got the majority of the snaps and made good use of them en route to 14 of 17 passing for 143 yards. However, it was Robert Marve's return that could pay the most dividends for Purdue in the future.  Marve only threw one incomplete pass on eight attempts on the way to 91 yards and a touchdown.  Purdue's running game was once again productive, led by Akeem Shavers 75 yards and two touchdowns.  Three other backs had over 50 yards rushing, and two had two touchdowns.

Purdue gets next week off to rest its players and prepare for Notre Dame. If the Boilermakers can put together a good performance against the Irish it could be a telling sign that the team is capable of jumping into the middle of the Big Ten pack.

Next Week: Bye 

10. Minnesota 1-2 (10)

Last Week: Beat Miami (OH) (0-2) 29 - 23

Minnesota gets win number one as MarQueis Gray finally puts together a complete game.

The Gophers won this game despite only converting two-of-13 third down attempts.  This was mostly thanks to an offense that had luck converting on first, second and fourth down (18 first downs, three of four on fourth down).  Leading this effort was Gray, who passed for 163 yards and a touchdown on just over 50 percent passing while adding 171 yards rushing (6.8 YPC).

While Gray finally started to show some of him game breaking ability, the Gopher defense struggled to do anything against the Miami passing game, which put up 325 yards on nearly seven yards per attempt.

Minnesota is still playing a bit too erratic to take a step toward bowl contention this year, but if Gray can continue to improve he could be capable of leading the team to an upset or two along the way.  For now, beating a MAC team carries more weight than an FCS team, thus the Gophers stay tenth.

Next Week: vs. North Dakota State (2-0) 7:00pm, BTN

9. Penn State 2-1 (9)

Last Week: Beat Temple (14 - 10

Penn State survived an early deficit against Temple to pull to 2-1 on the season.  A rushing touchdown with just over two minutes remaining got Penn State the late lead and win.

The Nittany Lion offense continued its early season struggles gaining less than six yards per pass attempt and just 2.6 yards per rush.  The quarterbacks once again split time and once again failed to impress.  Matt McGloin had the better game with 13 of 19 passing for 124 yards, while Rob Bolden struggled on his way to just nine of 17 for 92 yards and an interception.  Silas Redd continues to be the workhorse, this time with 86 yards and one touchdown, while gaining over five yards per carry.

Thankfully, for all the struggles PSU is having on the offensive side of the ball, the defense turned in a very good performance, holding Temple to less than 200 yards (4.4 YPA and 2.5 YPC) while forcing three turnovers.

The Nittany Lions are a quarterback away from potentially being a .500 team in the Big Ten with a New Year's Day bowl invite.  Unfortunately until the quarterback problem is fixed, the offense is DOA.

Next Week: vs. Eastern Michigan (2-1); Noon, ESPN2

8. Ohio State 2-1 (7)

Last Week: Lost to Miami 6 - 24

Ohio State left the Top 25 for the first time in years with a whimper.  The Buckeyes went down to Miami but never even made it a game.

The Buckeyes are still reeling from a turbulent offseason filled with NCAA investigations, suspensions and dismissals.  A blowout win in Week 1 against Akron was business as usual, but a last minute stop to preserve a win against Toledo in Week 2was a harbinger of potential problems.  Now, the Buckeyes are looking at a possible crisis as the Big Ten season approaches.

Saturday night the Buckeyes were barely able to muster 200 yards of total offense.  The hole at quarterback now seems gaping as Joe Bauserman completed just two passes on 14 attempts for 13 yards. Braxton Miller's debut in the game wasn't much better as he was two for four with one interception. Miller's main contribution was 32 yards rushing.

Miami, a program undergoing worse stress than the Ohio State, exposed some glaring weaknesses in the Ohio State offense while running for 240 yards on over five yards per carry.

It isn't time to panic quite yet, but the Buckeyes will need more than a win over Colorado to right the ship.

Next Week: vs. Colorado (1-2); 3:30pm, ABC/ESPN2

7. Northwestern 2-1 (6)

Last Week: Lost to Army 14 - 21

Northwestern's early season run of good fortune came to an end at the hands of a ruthlessly efficient running game.

Most times you hold a team to six yards on 1 of 7 passing, you can expect a good end to the day.  Not when you do it against Army and the triple option.

The Black Knights ran for 381 yards on better than five yards per carry.  This ruthless efficiency on the ground was good enough to help Army convert seven of its 16 third downs and all three of its fourth down tries. The Wildcats, on the other hand, converted just 25 percent on third down.  

The Northwestern offense struggled on the ground gaining 4.2 yards per carry, and failing to score.  Kain Colter, playing in place of Dan Persa, got the start and was 12 of 23 passing for 89 yards and a touchdown before being replaced by third stringer Trevor Siemian who was 5 of 7 for 105 yards and a touchdown.

Northwestern gets next week off, and that is good news because Dan Persa is expected to return for the start of Big Ten play in October.

Next Week:  Bye

6. Iowa 2-1 (8)

Last Week: Beat Pitt 31 - 27

The Hawkeyes used a 21-point fourth quarter and a big game from James Vandenberg to come back and finish off Pitt in a wild one.

The Panthers jumped out to a big lead early and rode it to a 24-10 advantage in the third quarter, but Vandenberg threw all three of his touchdown passes in the last fifteen finish with 399 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on 65 percent passing while adding Iowa's only rushing touchdown. Marcus Coker carried the load for Iowa on the ground, rushing for 86 yards on 23 carries.

Defensively, the Hawkeyes did well to force three turnovers and keep the Panthers to just 4 of 13 on third down conversions. They still gave up 422 yards and over eight yards per pass.

After losing a heartbreaker to rival Iowa State last weekend, the Hawkeyes rebounded well to steal this victory at the end. The positive momentum should continue next week.

Next Week:  vs. Louisiana Monroe; Noon, BTN

5. Michigan State 2-1 (2)

Last Week: Lost to Notre Dame 31 - 13

The fake field goal wasn't the only thing that failed for the Spartans on Saturday.  The Irish controlled the game early and never looked back.

Michigan State's failure in this one was familiar.  Just as it happened in the two losses last season, the Spartans were shut out of the run game and subsequently the scoreboard.  While Kirk Cousins passed for 329 yards (6.1 YPA) the strong trio of running backs was stymied on the way to just 29 yards on 23 attempts.  This failure on the ground (Notre Dame rushed for 114 yards on 3.6 YPC) and a 30-yard disadvantage in penalties made sure the Spartans were in no position to take advantage of better turnover numbers (three to two) and first downs (21 to 18).

The Spartans have a game against Central Michigan to try to work out problems in the run game before visiting Columbus to open the Big Ten season.

Next Week: vs. Central Michigan (1-2); Noon, ESPNU

4. #22 Michigan 3-0 (5)

Last Week: Beat Eastern Michigan 31 - 3

The Wolverines continue a run of perfect September's with a win over MACrifice, EMU.

Michigan got the win on Saturday, but it wasn't as convincing as the Wolverines would have liked.  A scoreless first quarter for both sides then broke open in the second as Michigan scored four touchdowns over the next two quarters.

The Wolverines were once again led by Denard Robinson, who rushed for 198 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries (7.6 YPC) while throwing for 95 yards and two touchdowns to one interception.  Adding the the Wolverine's effort was Vincent Smith who ran for 118 yards on just nine carries.

Despite the 3-0 start, the Wolverines can see this game as an accurate representation of the overall problems surrounding the team so far. First, Robinson was the primary rushing threat and got the majority of the carries. Second, Robinson had another poor day throwing the ball, with less than 40 percent of his passes completed.

The Wolverines have a tough game against San Diego State next week, but if Robinson doesn't show an improved ability to pass the ball while the running backs take over more of the running game, the Michigan offense will be unsustainable.

Next Week: vs. San Diego State (3-0); Noon, BTN

3. #24 Illinois 3-0 (4)

Last Week: Beat Arizona State 17 - 14

The Illini came away from Week 3 with one of the most impressive victories in the Big Ten.

Arizona State, ranked 22nd and riding momentum from a big win against Missouri the week before, was stopped short because Illinois did just what it needed to survive.  The biggest difference for the Illini came in the pass rush, where Illinois was able to sack ASU quarterback Brock Oswieler six times while forcing two interceptions.

Offensively, Nathan Scheelhaase had a solid game for the Illini, throwing for 11 of 15 with a touchdown, and an interception.  His 115 yards through the air were well complimented by his team-high 67 yards rushing. Jason Ford was the only other player to break 10 yards rushing with his 58-yard, one touchdown performance.

While Illinois was able to sneak out the win, it is disconcerting that the Sun Devils were able to put up over 100 more yards than Illinois.  Also problematic is the Illinois yards per carry average of just 2.3.  If this team expects to compete week in and week out it will need a better effort from the running game.

Next Week: vs. Western Michigan (2-1); 3:30pm, BTN

2. #9 Nebraska (3)

Last Week: Beat Washington 51 - 38 

Nebraska got the win in the rubber match against Washington the same way it took the first win: On the legs of Taylor Martinez.

Martinez continues to function as the linchpin of the offense, throwing for 155 yards and rushing for 83. Martinez struggled to complete more than 50 percent of his passes (just 10 of 21) but added two touchdowns through the air to his one on the ground.  Opposite Martinez was Rex Burkhead, who ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns.

While the Husker offense played well, the defense failed to shut down Washington's offense; allowing the Huskies to gain 420 yards on 7.4 yards per pass and 4.7 yards per rush.  Washington was also able to complete 50 percent of its third downs to just 25 percent for Nebraska.  However, three turnovers doomed the Huskies.

Nebraska gets one more week to straighten itself out before visiting Camp Randall stadium to open Big Ten play.

Next Week: at Wyoming (3-0); 7:30pm, Versus

1. #6 Wisconsin (1)

Last Week: Beat Northern Illinois 49 - 6

Wisconsin continues to win, and win big against any and all comers.

The Badgers took on Northern Illinois in Chicago, and walked away with as impressive a victory as a Big Ten has delivered against a MAC team yet this year.

Russell Wilson continued his brilliant play, throwing 23-32 for 347 yards. He tacked on three scores to help offset his first interception of the year.  Four Badger players had more than 50 yards receiving and both running backs tacked on over 30 yards through the air.

The running game was similarly effective, with James White and Montee Ball both going for 91 yards on the ground.  White scored one touchdown but compiled the yards at a torrential 11.4 yards per carry, while Ball ran 20 times and scored two touchdowns.

Defensively, the Badgers played well enough to force the Huskies into less than three yards per rush and seven yards per pass.  While the defense failed to force a turnover, NIU was only able to convert four of its 13 third down attempts and finished the game with just 11 first downs.

Wisconsin's offense seems to be clicking and the defense has done just what it has needed to against inferior competition: Get the ball back so the offense can score.

Next week the Badgers get one more tune up before the showdown with Nebraska.

Next Week: South Dakota (2-1); 3:30pm, BTN