Where does each team stand three weeks into the season?
This weekend of Big Ten football was not nearly as surprise-filled as the last. While three of the conference’s top dogs–Ohio State, USC and Penn State–enjoyed bye weeks, other ranked teams like Oregon and Nebraska notched large victories of their own. Meanwhile, Wisconsin and Purdue struggled to hold their own against Alabama and Notre Dame, and Washington narrowly lost a contest to its former PAC-12 rival, Washington State. With week 3 in the books, here’s a look at where each team stands heading into its next matchup.
1. No. 3 Ohio State
Last Ranking: 1
Result: Bye Week
Next Game: vs. Marshall
Though they did not play this weekend, the Buckeyes still claim the top spot in the conference this week. Following two dominant victories over Akron and Western Michigan, Ohio State will close out its slate of non-conference games hosting Marshall, a game which it should have no trouble dominating on both sides of the ball. Even more good news for the Buckeyes: two-time first-team all-Big Ten offensive lineman Donovan Jackson is set to return from injury this week. That should bode well for Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, who have both averaged over seven yards per carry through their first two games this year.
2. No. 11 USC
Last Ranking: 2
Result: Bye Week
Next Game: at No. 18 Michigan
The Trojans also enjoyed a week off, something that may benefit them as they prepare for a trip to Ann Arbor to face Michigan, their second ranked opponent in three games. Miller Moss has had no trouble throwing the ball thus far, with USC leading the Big Ten in pass yards per game. Michigan ranks 16th in the conference with 234.3 pass yards allowed per game, so Moss is certainly capable of having another strong showing against the Wolverines. Will Johnson and the hostile environment in the Big House could have something to say about that, though.
3. No. 9 Oregon
Last Ranking: 4
Result: Defeated Oregon State 49-14
Next Game: Bye Week
Oregon answered any questions surrounding its slow start to the season during its trip to Corvallis, a game in which Heisman candidate Dillon Gabriel led a 49-14 rout of the Ducks’ in-state rival. Tez Johnson recorded over 100 receiving yards after being held to -1 against Boise State, while the team combined for 247 total yards on the ground. The defense also rebounded nicely from last week, not allowing a single point in the second half. Oregon will take a break from game action this weekend before traveling to the Rose Bowl for a winnable matchup against UCLA.
4. No. 10 Penn State
Last Ranking: 3
Result: Bye Week
Next Game: vs. Kent State
It may seem unfair to drop the Nittany Lions after they didn’t play last weekend, but Oregon’s resurgence, combined with Penn State’s own struggles before the bye week, warranted the team’s move to four this week. Drew Allar has looked solid through his first two games, and Nick Singleton is currently averaging nine yards per carry on the ground. However, if this team wants to surpass the ones above it, it needs to address its concerning 35% conversion rate on third down and the defensive woes that allowed Bowling Green to score 27 points in what should be one of the most formidable environments in the sport.
5. No. 22 Nebraska
Last Ranking: 5
Result: Defeated Northern Iowa 34-3
Next Game: vs. No. 24 Illinois
Nebraska continued its dominant start to the season with an unsurprising rout over Northern Iowa. Freshman Dylan Raiola continued his strong start to the season, throwing for 247 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. The defense also stepped up in a big way. Despite being on the field for nearly two thirds of the game, the unit allowed just three points, forcing UNI to punt four times and allowing just 4.2 yards per play. This week, Raiola will be tested in his first ranked matchup as the Huskers host Illinois for a Friday night showdown.
6. No. 18 Michigan
Last Ranking: 6
Result: Defeated Arkansas State 28-18
Next Game: vs. No. 11 USC
Though the Wolverines’ victory over Arkansas State was not as close as the score may indicate, the result is still concerning. The defense was reminiscent of 2023 for the first three quarters until the Red Wolves notched a pair of touchdowns in the fourth, and the running game flourished behind a monster performance from Kalel Mullings, but the glaring issue is the quarterback situation. Davis Warren had his worst game yet, throwing three interceptions before being benched for Alex Orji, who threw a touchdown pass on his first throw but was otherwise subpar. Orji is set to start against USC, and while he will have a lot of help from Mullings and Donovan Edwards in the backfield, the Wolverines will not stand a chance if he cannot prove to be an effective passer as well.
7. No. 24 Illinois
Last Ranking: 7
Result: Defeated Central Michigan 30-9
Next Game: at No. 22 Nebraska
With a dominant win over Central Michigan, Illinois returns to the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2022. Pat Bryant, who ranks third in the conference in receiving yards, notched a pair of touchdowns to complement his 102 yards. He and transfer Zakhari Franklin have been perhaps the most dynamic receiving duo in the Big Ten this year. Meanwhile, kicker Ethan Moczulski broke a school record with his 59-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. Illinois will need to continue its dominance on both sides of the ball as it heads to Lincoln for its first ranked vs. ranked game since 2008.
8. Indiana
Last Ranking: 11
Result: Defeated UCLA 42-13
Next Game: vs. Charlotte
How did a team that ranked 17th in InsideNU’s preseason power rankings climb to eighth in just three weeks? The answer: quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who continues to improve with each passing week. In his latest performance, the Ohio transfer recorded 307 passing yards and four touchdowns, along with a 75.8% completion percentage. In a conference with seven ranked teams, Indiana’s 515 total yards per game and 180.3 total yards allowed per game are both the Big Ten’s second best marks, with Ohio State just ahead of them in both statistics. The Hoosiers have been dominating in every aspect of the game so far, and they show no signs of slowing down against a floundering Charlotte squad.
9. Iowa
Last Ranking: 8
Result: Defeated Troy 38-21
Next Game: at Minnesota
In what should have been an easy victory for Iowa, the Hawkeyes instead failed to pull away from a struggling Troy squad until late in the game. Kaleb Johnson was outstanding on the ground, rushing for 173 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but Cade McNamara struggled to produce any scoring through the air. In fact, former Northwestern Wildcat Brendan Sullivan had the team’s lone passing touchdown. Meanwhile, the defense had no answers for Troy receiver Devonte Ross, who scored on two big plays in addition to a punt return for a touchdown. If the passing and defense issues continue, it’s hard to see this Hawkeyes squad returning to the AP Top 25 anytime soon.
10. Rutgers
Last Ranking: 9
Result: Bye Week
Next Game: at Virginia Tech
Rutgers did not play this past weekend, and yet running back Kyle Monangai still ranks second in the Big Ten with 373 rushing yards. The Scarlet Knights have also been effective defending the pass, though their run defense leaves much to be desired. Following two emphatic wins over Howard and Akron, Rutgers will travel to Blacksburg for a matchup with Virginia Tech. It’s worth noting that in Rutgers’ 35-13 rout of the Hokies last year, Monangai recorded 143 rushing yards and a trio of touchdowns. The team will hope for a similar performance this year as it looks to improve to 3-0.
11. Michigan State
Last Ranking: 12
Result: Defeated Prairie View 40-0
Next Game: at Boston College
Michigan State looked the best it has all season against Prairie View. The best part about the win for the Spartans is that it was a total team effort. Throughout the game, eight different players, including two quarterbacks, recorded a rush attempt, while ten different pass catchers had a reception. Yes, the team put in backups after running up the lead, but it still speaks to Sparty’s ability to get the entire team involved. With a trip to Boston College on the horizon, this win could be what MSU needs to compete with its toughest opponent yet.
12. Washington
Last Ranking: 10
Result: Lost to Washington State 24-19
Next Game: vs. Northwestern
The last time Washington lost a regular season game was Oct. 8, 2022, when Arizona State earned a 45-38 victory over the Huskies. This loss came at the hands of in-state rival Washington State, who emerged as victors of the annual matchup for just the second time in the last 15 years. Though Will Rogers threw for over 300 yards, the Huskies could only muster one touchdown all game, a concerning statistic as they ramp up for Big Ten action.
13. Wisconsin
Last Ranking: 13
Result: Lost to No. 4 Alabama 42-10
Next Game: Bye Week
I may catch some flak for keeping Wisconsin above Maryland after last weekend, but let’s remember that most people were expecting an Alabama blowout before starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was carted off the field with an ACL injury. For his part, backup Braedyn Locke played about as well as you’d expect given the circumstances, going 13-of-26 for 125 yards and a touchdown. The Badgers were already in the midst of a slow start to the year prior to this game, and they will most certainly welcome a week off to reset before heading to Los Angeles to face USC.
14. Maryland
Last Ranking: 15
Result: Defeated Virginia 27-13
Next Game: vs. Villanova
Though Maryland eventually came out with the victory, this game was not the prettiest for the Terrapins, who were down 13-7 at halftime. Statistically, it was a pretty solid showing for UMD, but the team was slow to gain momentum. On the bright side, they did win the game by multiple scores, and Billy Edwards, Jr. had another strong showing. His 827 total passing yards are second in the Big Ten, while his 275.7 pass yards per game rank third in the conference. His continued success will be important for the Terps as they attempt to truly assert themselves against Villanova.
15. Northwestern
Last Ranking: 16
Result: Defeated Eastern Illinois 31-7
Next Game: at Washington
Despite a sloppy first half in his debut as starting quarterback, Jack Lausch rallied the ‘Cats to victory with an electric second half performance in Evanston. The redshirt sophomore finished with 227 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns in a game where Northwestern finally took advantage of its skilled pass catchers. The defense continued to dominate against the run, allowing just 40 rushing yards, and it was also effective in disrupting the pass attack. The ‘Cats travel to Seattle this weekend for their first road game of the season. Washington has allowed 122 yards per game to opposing rushers this year, which stands to benefit a Northwestern squad that relies heavily on its backfield.
16. Minnesota
Last Ranking: 17
Result: Defeated Nevada 27-0
Next Game: vs. Iowa
Sophomore running back Darius Taylor made all the noise for the Minnesota offense against Nevada, accounting for all three touchdowns (two rushing and one receiving). He also recorded 124 rushing yards on just 11 carries, good for a whopping 11.3 yards per carry, and he added 37 yards receiving to his monster day. Oh, and the defense also happened to record its second consecutive shutout following the previous week’s 48-0 victory over Rhode Island. The Gophers have scored 75 unanswered points since losing by two to UNC in week one, and they will try to continue their tear as they host Iowa this week.
17. Purdue
Last Ranking: 14
Result: Lost to No. 17 Notre Dame 66-7
Next Game: at Oregon State
Purdue was the unfortunate victim of a fired up Notre Dame team eager to respond after a shocking loss to Northern Illinois. Though the Boilermakers weren’t awful defending the pass, there was nothing they could do to slow down Notre Dame’s rushing attack. The Fighting Irish rushed for 364 total yards, with running back Jeremiyah Love and quarterback Riley Leonard both eclipsing 100 yards on the day and Jadarian Price unleashing a 70-yard run of his own. It can’t get much worse for Purdue, although they travel to Corvallis this weekend to face an Oregon State team that’s probably also angry after losing its rivalry game to Oregon.
18. UCLA
Last Ranking: 18
Result: Lost to Indiana 42-13
Next Game: at No. 16 LSU
UCLA’s Big Ten debut could not have gone much worse, with Indiana dominating the Bruins in their own home. Quarterback Ethan Garbers only produced 137 passing yards on the day and failed to throw a touchdown, and the Bruins’ secondary got absolutely torched, allowing 307 receiving yards. With consecutive games against No. 16 LSU, No. 9 Oregon and No. 10 Penn State, it’s hard to see UCLA heading in a positive direction anytime soon.