CFB: Spartans slip in Big Ten rankings
1. Ohio State (3-0, 1-0, win over Indiana): J.K. Dobbins is certainly challenging Jonathan Taylor for being the best running back in the conference after going for 193 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries against Indiana. Ohio State is the best team in the Big Ten. It’s really not that close right now and their 51-10 win over the Hoosiers was just another reminder. The Buckeyes get Miami (OH) next week and they'll certainly move to 4-0.
2. Wisconsin (2-0, bye week): The Badgers are the only team in the country who haven’t given up a point yet, and are one of just three that haven’t allowed a second half point. The defense has been great, but it has been against South Florida and Central Michigan. I think they deserve the two spot for now, but Michigan is waiting right there. The winner of that game will be the closest team to Ohio State, but there's still a clear gap behind Ohio State.
3. Michigan (2-0, bye week): Shea Patterson has to be better. That’s all you need to know. The defense hasn’t been as stout as last year, but they’re giving up just 21.0 points per game. That’s pretty good. If Shea wasn’t fumbling the ball and the offense could threaten 20+ yards down the field, then this team would be the clear cut #2 in the Big Ten. They haven’t proven it yet, though, so we have to wait for the Wisconsin game.
4. Iowa (3-0, 1-0, win over Iowa State): The Hawkeyes had the best win of the weekend for any Big Ten program, going on the road and defeating rival Iowa State by a final of 18-17. Nate Stanley looked good again, throwing for 201 yards and a 68.5 QBR. The defense gave up a lot of yards (418) but they did force two turnovers to their credit. Wisconsin and Iowa should be considered favorites to win the division.
5. Penn State (3-0, win over Pittsburgh): Penn State’s offense didn’t look as good against a Power Five team, going from averaging 62.0 points per game to a 17-10 win. over Pittsburgh But the important thing is they did win. The schedule kicks up from here as the Nittany Lions will get road tests against Maryland and Iowa in the next month. For now, they stay at the five spot.
6. Minnesota (3-0, win over Georgia Southern): P.J. Fleck’s team is undefeated going into conference play which is the goal, right? However, they’ve beaten South Dakota State, Fresno State, and Georgia Southern by a combined 13 points, while going to double overtime against Fresno State. The defense was getting gashed for 3.7 yards per carry, but they did force two turnovers to their credit. Let’s see if the bye week helps before Big Ten play.
7. Maryland (2-1, loss at Temple): Josh Jackson didn’t look as good against the Owls, compared to the first two games of the year but it was an increase in competition. The defense, especially interior, has continued to look much improved from last season. This isn’t a great team but it’s a good ball club and they could fight for an 8-4 type season. They get a week off before hosting #13 Penn State. That win could make or break the rest of the Terps' year.
8. Michigan State (2-1, loss to Arizona State): When Michigan State announced the home-and-home with Arizona State, who would have thought the Sun Devils would win both? Michigan State’s offense was just abysmal all day and the defense was playing conservatively late in the game, allowing Jayden Daniels to move down the field for the win. The loser of Michigan State-Northwestern next week is going to be in serious trouble.
9. Northwestern (1-1, win over UNLV): Pat Fitzgerald’s crew looked a lot better in their second game, but it was against UNLV so we’ll have to wait and see just how good they are. I think Northwestern has a chance to compete in the Big Ten West but Hunter Johnson has to be better. He had just 165 yards in the 30-14 win. Northwestern gets Michigan State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Iowa so it's possible this team will be 4-3 or 3-4.
10. Nebraska (2-1, win over Northern Illinois): Nebraska bounced back from the loss to Colorado as they defeated Northern Illinois. The Cornhuskers won the game 44-8, which is obviously a positive, but the main takeaway has to be that the defense looked a lot better. Obviously it's against the Huskies, but the Nebraska defense allowed less than 20 points for the first time this year and 74 rushing yards. Nebraska should handle Illinois next week.
11. Indiana (2-1, 0-1, loss to Ohio State): I don't think anyone really though Indiana would upset Ohio State at home but I did think they would hang for a little longer. Peyton Ramsey has to be a better against top teams if Indiana wants to get to a bowl game this season, as he threw for just 162 yards and one interception against the Buckeyes. The rushing attack has to be better too, as they had 42 rushing yards. The Hoosiers get Connecticut on Saturday.
12. Illinois (2-1, loss to Eastern Michigan): Brandon Peters wasn’t the reason the Fighting Illini lost this game but he obviously could have done more to help them win. The defense was carved up all day long by EMU and Illinois couldn’t get a stop even after coming back from down 31-17 in the fourth quarter. The defensive backfield is the reason Illinois is no longer unbeaten, giving up 316 passing yards. Illinois will host Nebraska in their Big Ten opener.
13. Purdue (1-2, loss to TCU): I think people were sleeping on TCU a little bit. They have a really good defensive line and it showed, allowing just 23 yards on 25 attempts. You don’t see that type of domination very often, especially on the road against a Power Five opponent. Purdue can’t seem to string together two good games in a row, but I guess that probably means they’ll beat Minnesota on September 28th. This seasons like a 6-6 type team.
14. Rutgers (1-1, 0-1, bye week): Rutgers got a much-needed week off after getting beaten by Iowa the week prior. I originally thought Boston College would come in and handle Rutgers pretty easily, but after the Eagles' loss to Kansas, maybe Rutgers can pull off an upset. Don't count of that, though. The next three games after this weekend are versus Michigan, Maryland, and Indiana. The Scarlet Knights would be lucky to win any of those outings.
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated.
