2024 Big Ten Football Week 4 Power Rankings: Rutgers, Michigan State, Indiana Surge Outside Top 8 After Staying Perfect

Huskies Fall, while Unbeaten Rutgers, Michigan State, and Indiana Climb in Latest Big Ten Football Power Rankings After Week 3

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There is no movement in the top 8 of my Big Ten football power rankings, but Rutgers, Michigan State, and Indiana have all moved up outside of the top 8, after staying perfect through the season’s first three weeks.

Tier 1 - College Football Playoff Contenders

1. Ohio State (2-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 3

Last week: BYE

This week: Marshall

The Buckeyes may not have a serious challenge until they face Oregon in mid-October.

2. Penn State (2-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 10

Last week: BYE

This week: Kent State

Can Penn State play a clean game from start to finish? Their starters should be sitting by the fourth quarter in this weekend’s game against Kent State.

3. USC (2-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 11

Last week: BYE

This week: at No. 18 Michigan

USC has a chance to get a signature victory on the road against Michigan, but Michigan will be looking to get back into CFP contention. The Trojans are 6.5-point favorites.

4. Oregon (3-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 9

Last week: 49-14 win at Oregon State

This week: The Ducks finally played like a top 10 team and handled the Oregon State Beavers last weekend. They get a bye this week before opening their Big Ten season against . . . UCLA.

Tier 2 - Outside, Looking In

5. Michigan (2-1)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 18

Last week: 28-18 win vs. Arkansas State

This week: vs. No. 11 USC

The Wolverines ran more than 40 times and rushed for over 300 yards in their win against Arkansas State. They have a chance to jump right back into CFP contention with a win against USC this weekend.

6. Nebraska (3-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 22

Last week: 34-3 win vs. Northern Iowa

This week: No. 24 Illinois

Nebraska moves up to No. 22 in the national rankings and has a chance to further its case as one of the top teams in the Big Ten with a ranked conference matchup against No. 24 Illinois on Friday. The Cornhuskers’ 3-0 start is their best since 2016.

7. Illinois (3-0)

Trend: -

AP Ranking: No. 24

Last week: 30-9 vs. Central Michigan

This week: at No. 22 Nebraska

Illinois enters the top 25 this week. But, perhaps more interesting, Illinois kicker Ethan Moczulski drilled a 59-yard field goal, the longest field goal in Illinois football history.

8. Iowa (2-1)

Trend: -

Last week: 38-21 win vs. Troy

This week: at Minnesota

The 38-21 score doesn’t tell the whole story of Iowa’s win against Troy. The Hawkeyes were trailing 14-10 at the half and were booed off the field heading into halftime.

Tier 3 - Bowl Bound

9. Rutgers (2-0)

Trend: +2

Last week: BYE

This week: at Virginia Tech

Rutgers opens up as 4.5-point underdogs against Virginia Tech. A win against the Hokies and then another win the following week against the Huskies would put Rutgers in a good position to be ranked in the top 25.

10. Michigan State (3-0)

Trend: +2

Last week: 40-0 win vs. Prairie View A&M

This week: at Boston College

One player to watch on the Spartans? Running back Nathan Carter rushed for 91 yards on 8 carries and scored a touchdown in Michigan State’s win against Prairie View A&M.

11. Indiana (3-0)

Trend: +5

Last week: 42-13 win at UCLA

This week: Charlotte

Indiana has been nothing but short of impressive through three games. Coming into the Rose Bowl and dominating UCLA is one way to welcome the Bruins to the Big Ten. The Hoosiers won’t face a ranked opponent until at least late-October (assuming Nebraska remains ranked).

12. Washington (2-1)

Trend: -3

Last week: 24-19 loss to Washington State

WSU Stuns Huskies in Apple Cup: Missed Opportunities and Costly Mistakes Define UW's Loss

This week: Northwestern

I still think the floor for the Huskies is six wins. Finally, the coaches got a good barometer of where this team was at. Washington’s coaches and players both need to show improvement this week against Northwestern, or the Husky fan overreactions after the Apple Cup may gain some steam.

13. Wisconsin (2-1)

Trend: -3

Last week: 42-10 loss to Alabama

This week: BYE

Wisconsin QB Tyler Van Dyke will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. Backup QB Braedyn Locke and the Badgers offense will have two weeks to prepare for USC.

Tier 4 - Bottom 5

14. Maryland (2-1)

Trend: -1

Last week: 27-13 win at Virginia

This week: Villanova

The Terapins shut Virginia out in the second half en route to their victory over their formal ACC-league mate.

15. UCLA (1-1)

Trend: -1

Last week: 42-13 loss to Indiana

This week: at LSU

Things don’t get easier for the Bruins. After a road game against LSU, they’ll face Oregon, and then a road game against Penn State.

16. Purdue (1-1)

Trend: -1

Last week: 66-7 loss to Notre Dame

This week: at Oregon State

If you’re a Husky fan and you’re feeling down after the Apple Cup loss, imagine if you’re a Purdue fan trying to grade a team’s performance after a 66-7 loss.

17. Northwestern (2-1)

Trend: -

Last week: 31-7 win vs. Eastern Illinois

This week: at Washington

Northwestern heads west to open their Big Ten season up against an angry Washington squad. I don’t see them winning this game against the Huskies.

18. Minnesota (2-1)

Trend: -3

Last week: 27-0 win vs. Nevada

This week: Iowa

Minnesota has compiled back-to-back shutouts for the first time in school history since 1962. The Golden Gophers have a good shot at upsetting Iowa this week.