Four weeks are now gone in the college football season. Time is flying, and that means the season is 1/3 of the way through the regular season. We’re starting to see the real pretenders vs. contenders now, especially with teams within the Big Ten beginning to match up.
Yes, as stated in the past three versions of this piece, it is indeed still early and things can — and will — change. I’m also feeling a bit grumpy in this week’s version of the power rankings so I ask for forgiveness in advance if opposing fan bases are checking this out. Okay, maybe not. I really don’t care (see, I told you I was grumpy).
For now though — here’s your Big Ten football power rankings after four weeks. As always, give me a break on these, season four of This Is US is starting up this week, and I need time to prepare.
14. Rutgers – (Last week 14)
At what point do we just leave a standing invite to the Scarlet Knights in this spot? Another week means another loss to a Power 5 opponent. That’s all I have. Now let’s go forth.
13. Illinois – (Last week 13)
I tell ya — I though the fighting Lovie Smith beards were going to pull a victory out at home against Nebraska there for awhile. But no. The team remembered it was the Illini. Back to the drawing board once again.
12. Purdue – (Last week 12)
A week off means the Boilers had no shot to impress. It’s unlikely this team would have anyway. How quickly things have turned south since Jeff Brohm flashed on the scene two years ago.
11. Indiana – (Last week 11)
Indiana is still being Indiana. Beating up on non Power 5 teams and coming ever so close to being relevant in Big Ten play. Technically speaking there’s still only one loss in conference so opportunity knocks — then will most likely slam the door in a few weeks.
Next … 10 thru 6
10. Minnesota (Last week 10)
No movement here either as the Golden Gopher’s seemingly rowed right into the bye week. We might know a wee-bit more about both Minnesota and Purdue this weekend when they both vie for the title of overhyped Big Ten team of 2019 (wait your turn Michigan).
9. Maryland (Last week 9)
These Big Ten schedule makers sure made it tough to do anything with the bottom end of these power rankings with all the bye-week shenanigans. Remind me to send a strongly worded letter to Jim Delany before he officially puts both feet out the door.
8. Northwestern (Last week 7)
I’ve always been amazed at how the Wildcats find a way to win in the Big Ten with recruiting classes that are historically average at best. I was equally amazed at how really smart kids played so haphazardly this weekend. This thing could go either way for Pat Fitzerald from here.
7. Nebraska (Last week 8)
Look, it wasn’t pretty, but the children of the corn got a win on the road against Illinois. Kudos to that. Now, duck as Ohio State comes your way with bad intentions.
6. Michigan (Last week 5)
Remember the title of most over-hyped Big Ten team of 2019? Check. How about most over-hyped team in all of college football? The Wolverines got out-played, out-coached, out-manned, and simply out-matched in Madison. Expectations have been officially reset in Ann Arbor.
Next … 5 thru 1
5. Michigan State (Last week 6)
It wasn’t a Bigfoot siting in Evantson this past weekend, but it was close. We heard several eye-witness reports of a real, live Spartan offense against Northwestern on the road. The video was a little grainy though, so opinions are still out. The defense however, is legit.
4. Iowa (Last week 4)
Meh. There was no game for the Hawkeyes either this week which means fans got ample opportunity to tweet out the Ohio State score from two years ago. Some things die hard when your goals are historically average.
3. Penn State (Last week 3)
You guessed it. The Nittany Lions were on a bye. Pen, paper — let me introduce you to conference commissioner Jim Delany. At least we didn’t have to listen to the lion roar or Zombie Nation over the PA system this week. So yeah, there’s that at least.
2. Wisconsin (Last week 2)
There are no bones about it. The Badgers have looked absolutely fantastic this year, and the clash with Ohio State might end up being the biggest game of the year in the Big Ten, if not one of the biggest in the country for 2019. The date? October 26.
1. Ohio State (Last week 1)
You know when you get off a cruise ship and you still feel the swaying for a few days as though you’re still on the boat? Justin Fields is probably still getting that sensation of crossing the goal-line after doing it six times in the second quarter Saturday. The Buckeyes are in the top 3 in the country in scoring offense and scoring defense. It looks like a complete team in 2019 and a force to be reckoned with. But yes, higher hurdles abound.
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