College Football Rankings After Week 4: Big Ten Conference

Ranking (Last week)

No. 1 (1) Wisconsin Badgers (4-0)

Week 3 Result: Win, 59-10 over South Dakota 

The Badgers once again proved they are the best team in the Big Ten and will be in the hunt for a national championship with Russell Wilson at quarterback. 

No. 2 (2) Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0)

Week 3 Result: Win, 38-10 over Wyoming 

Nebraska worked out its problems on defense and running back Rex Burkhead went over 100 yards rushing for the second week in a row. Cornhuskers quarterback Taylor Martinez completed 12 of 21 passes, which put him over 50 percent for the first time this season.

No. 3 (3) Michigan Wolverines (4-0)

Week 3 Result: Win, 28-7 over San Diego State

The previously inept Michigan defense had its best performance of the season in Week 3 against one of the nation's top running backs, Ronnie Hillman, and often efficient quarterback Ryan Lindley. The Wolverines forced three turnovers and quarterback Denard Robinson once again put up huge numbers running the ball, but his passing is still a major concern.

No. 4 (4) Illinois Fighting Illini (4-0)

Week 3 Result: Win, 23-20 over Western Michigan 

The offense came alive for Illinois last Saturday, but the defense surrendered over 300 passing yards and barely escaped an upset against a feisty Western Michigan squad. The Fighting Illini are now 4-0 for the first time since 1951.

No. 5 (5) Michigan State Spartans (3-1)

Week 3 Result: Win, 45-7 over Central Michigan 

The Spartans' offensive line got its act together despite being without two starters and Michigan State cruised to a victory last Saturday. The defense played well once again and forced four Central Michigan turnovers. Ohio State will provide Michigan State's new offensive line with a real test this weekend though.

No. 6 (7) Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1)

Week 3 Result: Win, 45-17 over Louisiana-Monroe 

James Vandenberg had yet another impressive outing at quarterback for Iowa and Marcus Coker went over 100 yards on the ground to lock up the Hawkeyes' second consecutive victory heading into Big Ten Conference play.

No. 7 (6) Ohio State Buckeyes (3-1)

Week 3 Result: Win, 37-17 over Colorado 

Why did Ohio State drop in this week's rankings despite notching an impressive victory over Colorado? The struggles of Braxton Miller proved he is not quite ready to be the Buckeyes' starting quarterback, but due to Joe Bauserman's ineptitude against Miami (FL), interim coach Luke Fickell had no choice other than to make a change. 

Miller completed just five of 13 passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns along with another 83 yards on the ground. The Buckeyes defense also played well, but will it be enough to earn them a victory against Michigan State this weekend?

No. 8 (9) Penn State Nittany Lions (3-1)

Week 3 Result: Win, 34-6 over Eastern Michigan 

Matt McGloin emerged as the clear front-runner to win the starting quarterback job after completing 14 of 17 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, while Rob Bolden only managed to complete seven of 13 passes for 115 yards, one touchdown and an interception. 

The running game struggled, but the defense was outstanding for Penn State, only yielding six points and holding Eastern Michigan to a mere 68 rushing yards.

No. 9 (8) Northwestern Wildcats (2-1)

Week 3 Result: Idle 

The off-week for Northwestern was not the reason it dropped in this week's rankings. Penn State finally appears to have found a starting quarterback, which was the only thing keeping it down in past weeks. 

Dan Persa will be back in action for the first time since last November this Saturday, which will provide the Wildcats with an opportunity to move back up in the rankings.

No. 10 (10) Purdue Boilermakers (2-1)

Week 3 Result: Idle 

The Boilermakers will have a chance to prove whether or not this year will be different than a year ago when they take on Notre Dame this Saturday at home. Caleb TerBush will need to play well at quarterback in order for Purdue to have a shot to pull off the upset.

No. 11 (12) Indiana Hoosiers (1-3)

Week 3 Result: Loss, 21-24 to North Texas 

Despite 21 fourth-quarter points and 354 passing yards, the Hoosiers could not pull out a win against North Texas last Saturday. Quarterbacks Dusty Kiel and Edwin Wright-Baker both played well, but the defense struggled early in the game and put Indiana in too deep of a hole to get out of later on.

No. 12 (11) Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-3)

Week 3 Result: Loss, 24-37 to South Dakota State 

Marqueis Gray's ineffectiveness and Max Shortell's inability to pick up the pieces at quarterback were the downfall of Minnesota last Saturday. The two combined for just 124 yards through the air and threw two interceptions which were both returned for touchdowns. 

Things are not exactly looking up for the Golden Gophers either, as they have to travel to Michigan this weekend and battle for the Little Brown Jug.

Zach Dirlam is a Big Ten Columnist for the new website Sports at Work. Check out his blog, Dirlam’s Dirty Dugout Sports Blog, which features this story along with other articles and video reports on the major sports. You can also follow his blog on Twitter, which will provide you with the latest updates about what will be posted on the blog!