No Movement on Top in Week 4 Power Ranking for the Big Ten

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This marks the first time the Big Ten Conference has seen no movement in the top 5 after the previous week's games. Ohio State, Penn State and USC all sat idle the week prior. While Oregon finally looked like the team we thought they would be, Nebraska looked like a contender again with another game that was seemingly decided by halftime.

After Week 3, Michigan officially has a quarterback problem after Davis Warren's 3-interception day against Arkansas State. Iowa won and had another game scoring more than 30 points for the second time this season. Illinois had another impressive win and joined the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 for the first time this season. Indiana did what most B1G team just don't—they dominated a team from the West Coast in the Rose Bowl after beating UCLA 42-13. For a second week in a row, an Southeastern Conference team came into B1G country and embarrassed their opponent.

Here are the post-Week 3 power rankings as voted on by College Football Dawgs' Big Ten writers.

1. No. 3 Ohio State (2-0)

Bye

Previous ranking: 1

The Buckeyes sat idle last week and now have their focus set to the Marshall Thundering Herd (1-1) coming in. Ohio State should have no problem holding the top spot until their first real challenging game at No. 9-ranked Oregon on Oct. 12.

Upcoming game: Marshall (1-1)

2. No. 11 USC (2-0)

Bye

Previous ranking: 2

Like Ohio State,USC is coming off a bye. The Trojans looked good in Weeks 1 and 2 on both sides of the ball. The biggest question was whether USC fixed the defense from a year ago, and so far, all signs point to yes. The bye gave USC two weeks to prepare for conference play and they will head to Ann Arbor, Mich., looking to make another statement like Week 1 when they beat No. 16 LSU (2-1).

Upcoming game: No. 18 Michigan (2-1)

3. No. 9 Oregon (3-0)

49-14 win over Oregon State (2-1)

Previous ranking: 4

After looking nothing like the team fans believed them to be in Weeks 1 and 2, Oregon finally put it all together and beat Oregon State (2-1) 49-14. The Ducks were up 22-14 after the first half and it looked like it might be another close game. The second half saw the Oregon defense hold Oregon State scoreless, while the offense scored 27 points for the win.

Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel so far this season is completing 85 percent of his passes. Against the Beavers it was no different as Gabriel went 20-for-24 for 291 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also added a touchdown on the ground. Now the Ducks get a week to rest before kicking off B1G play with former Pac-12 Conference member UCLA.

Upcoming game: Bye

4. No. 10 Penn State (2-0)

Bye

Previous ranking: 4

Penn State is the third to remain in the top 5 from a week ago to have the week off. Penn State started off the year with a big win against West Virginia (1-2) before squeaking by Bowling Green (1-1). With Kent State (0-3) coming up Penn State, will have one more week to get any kinks out before heading into B1G play. 

Upcoming game: Kent State (0-3)

5. No. 23 Nebraska (3-0)

34-3 win over Northern Iowa (2-1)

Previous ranking: 7

Another week, another win and Nebraska looks to be heading into B1G play ready to compete to get to Indianapolis for the B1G Championship game. Just like in the Colorado game the week before, the Cornhuskers had the game well in hand by halftime. 

Quarterback Dylan Raiola looks to be living up to the hype that surrounded him coming into college after his first three games. Raiola has 670 yards throwing with 5 TDs and only 1 interception in 2024.

The Cornhuskers will kick off B1G play in a Top- 5 matchup against No. 24 Illinois who is 3-0. Raiola will look to lead his Cornhuskers to one of the biggest wins in years and prove they truly are a B1G contender in 2024.  

Upcoming Game: No. 24 Illinois (3-0)

B1G Power Rankings: Nos. 6-18

6. No. 18 Michigan (2-1)

28-18 win over Arkansas State (2-1)

Previous ranking: 6

Upcoming game: No. 11 USC (2-0)

7. Iowa (2-1)

38-21 win over Troy (0-3)

Previous ranking: 9

Upcoming game: Minnesota (2-1)

8. No. 24 Illinois (3-0)

30-9 win over Central Michigan (1-2)

Previous ranking: 7

Upcoming game: No. 22 Nebraska (3-0)

9. Rutgers (2-0)

Bye

Previous ranking: 10

Upcoming game: Virginia Tech (2-1)

10. Indiana (3-1, 1-0 B1G)

42-13 win over UCLA (1-1, 0-1)

Previous ranking: 13

Upcoming game: Charlotte (1-2)

11. Michigan State (3-1, 1-0 B1G)

40-0 win over Prairie View (1-2)

Previous ranking: 12

Upcoming game: Boston College (2-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference)

12. Wisconsin (2-1)

42-10 loss to Alabama (3-0)

Previous ranking: 11

Upcoming game: Bye

13. Washington (2-1)

24-19 loss to Washington State (3-0)

Previous ranking: 8

Upcoming game: Northwestern (2-1)

14. Maryland (2-1, 0-1 B1G)

27-13 win over Virginia (2-1)

Previous ranking: 16

Upcoming game: Villanova (2-0)

15. Minnesota (2-1)

27-0 win over Nevada (1-3)

Previous ranking: 14

Upcoming game: Iowa (2-1)

16. Northwestern (2-1)

31-7 win over Eastern Illinois (1-2)

Previous ranking 18

Upcoming game: Washington (2-1)

17. Purdue (1-1)

66-7 loss to No.17 Notre Dame (2-1)

Previous ranking: 15

Upcoming game: Oregon State (2-1)

18. UCLA(1-1, 0-1 B1G)

42-13 loss to Indiana

Previous ranking: 17

Upcoming game: No. 16 LSU